To the page content

22.11 - 02.12

cyberweek-deal

Friedman IR-X Dual Tube Preamp

18 Customer ratings

4.2 / 5

You have to be logged in to rate products.

Note: To prevent ratings from being based on hearsay, smattering or surreptitious advertising we only allow ratings from real users on our website, who have bought the equipment from us.

After logging in you will also find all items you can rate under rate products in the customer centre.

handling

features

sound

quality

1 Review

Friedman IR-X Dual Tube Preamp
£359
£415
info
Thomann's honest deal policy

The strikethrough price reflects the lowest price available in the past 30 days for this item.

All prices incl. VAT
In stock
In stock

This product is in stock and can be shipped immediately.

Standard Delivery Times
Delivery free of charge expected between Tuesday, 3.12. and Wednesday, 4.12.
1
E
Great product but not my thing...
EdwinT 18.02.2024
I really had high expectations for this product. Featurewise it's got everything and it's well thoughtout....expect for those players who like to have a clean tone.....you can do that but the overall output of the irx gets way too low. The boost on that channel also is too weak for getting it into crunch territory....the lead channel is nice but the tonecontrols lack the ability to get a more mellow, round tone....presence and thump controls as well as other ir's that are excessable through the computer don't change things enough in this regards....it's greatly built, very fine features etc but it's not for me in terms of delivering the tones I'd like to hear....
handling
features
sound
quality
11
2
Report

Report

#
The IR-X Experience
#zigbal 07.11.2024
I ordered Friedman IR-X from Thomann and it arrived in Dubai flawlessly and on-time. As my first order from Thomann, it was a very good experience.

Now let's talk about the IR-X. I have used this unit for over 8 months now and I am really impressed by it. Having used digital modelers for many years, the best thing I like about this unit that it has no digital screen and menus to scroll through. You can dial in EQ and Gain instantly. This helps specially when you have to perform at different venues and need to adjust your EQ and Gain on the fly. Having two channels (low & high) with their own boost setting is very helpful and avoids the need to have a separate boot pedal. I don't use any modulation effects so my signal chain consists of an Overdrive > IR-X > FOH (That's all). I use Reverb/Delay in the loop. Just three pedals and I can get all the tones I need to play Classic Rock and Blues. IR-X is very dynamic, which means it reacts very well to light/hard picking and guitar volume control.

I mostly use channel 1 on the IR-X as a pedal platform. It produces clean to slightly overdriven tones. I prefer getting more saturation through stacked OD pedals, this helps me to add gain, saturation and volume in steps. The beauty of using OD pedals is that you can change the character of the amp. For example, if I use a Dirty Shirley OD pedal in the front then I can make the IR-X sound like a JTM 45.

Whilst I love the IR-X and how it sounds, there are some areas where IR-X could have been even better.

1) The pots on the IR-X are very soft which means they have little to no resistance. I am not sure why Friedman could not get better pots same as we see on Boss and other pedals. Some people add a rubber o-ring under the knobs to create resistance or add an additional protective cover on top. I have seen similar units with better ergonomics.

2) The plastic knobs could have been of better quality; like we get on Marshall amps. To me they look and feel cheap for a US$ 500 unit.

In conclusion IR-X is a great unit and I love it for what it is. However, I also enjoy using ToneX One as a pedal platform, which can offer a lot more than the IR-X.
handling
features
sound
quality
0
0
Report

Report

M
Nice, natural amp sound in a simple unit
MarekSi 16.10.2024
The lack of options is its main asset. Just like an amp: plug and play.
For those who hate complicated modellers it is a welcome difference.
Option paralysis is real - and limitations can be your best friends in finding creativity.

Me personally I use it along with Helix as another flavour. And always wanted a Friedman amp, but for various reasons it did not make sense. Thx to this unit it's now possible
handling
features
sound
quality
0
0
Report

Report

Friedman IR-X Dual Tube Preamp