Do you need the best bass amp for metal? Then, you are in the right place. We found and reviewed the top five bass amplifiers for metal available on the market at the moment.
A powerful and massive sound with thick distortion is necessary for metal music. The fast-paced and aggressive basslines need an amplifier that can provide enough volume without compromising on clear definition and attacks. The exact specifications depend on the metal style you play.
Large speakers give more volume and low bass, but most metal bassists choose small speakers to give the required sound output that effectively cuts through the guitar and heavy drum.
You should also consider the features such as control options, power rating, compatibility, sound filters, and price. Finally, let us check out our list of best bass amplifiers for metal.
Best Bass Amps for Metal – Comparison Table
| Image | Model | Wattage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ampeg Flip-Top Bass Amplifier Cabinet (Top Pick) | 450 | Check Price |
 | Ampeg SVT-410HE Bass Amplifier (Most Powerful) | 500 | Check Price |
 | Ampeg BA-210V2 Bass Combo Amplifier | 450 | Check Price |
 | Peavey Headliner 210 Bass Amp Cabinet (Best on a Budget) | 400 | Check Price |
 | Ampeg SVT-210AV Bass Amplifier Cabinet (Best for Practice) | 200 | Check Price |
1. Ampeg Flip-Top Bass Amplifier Cabinet (Editor’s Choice)
The legendary Porta Flex cabinet of Ampeg is combined with the high-end performance of a 450W vintage styling cab. The ceramic Eminence dual stamped frame 10-inch drivers deliver classic true Ampeg tone. In addition, it can dial in the required amount of highs via an L-Pad attenuator. The rugged cabinet looks great with classic B-15 grille cloth and Ampeg’s black diamond telex.
For an excellent portable Ampeg rig, you can attach PF-500 or PF-350 head to the top and flip it inside the cab. Ampeg’s Portaflex Series is affordable, powerful, and portable, combining iconic flip-top cabinets with lightweight, modern heads and all-tube tones. It has a modern design with a legendary history. The Portaflex series PF extension looks great and performs well. Being an affordable cabinet, it is a perfect combination of style and performance.
This little cabinet is lightweight and portable. It features casters and has lots of storage space inside. So you load into a gig and enjoy. It takes everything and maximizes the output gain on the amp.
The crystal-clear sound quality does not interfere with the tone. The ample headroom of this compact cabinet is provided for a small bar. The rear dial is perfect for engaging a pass filter for voice. The cabinet has tight and neat insulation inside, complemented by neat and sturdy hardware. This is lightweight, making it easy to carry.
Features
- 2 x 10 Inches ceramic Eminence LF drivers
- Vintage flip-top cabinet design
- 1” HF compression driver
- 450W RMS @ 8ohms
- Frequency response: 53 Hz – 17 kHz
Pros
- Extra powerful
- Impressive design
- Balanced output
Cons
- None
2. Ampeg SVT-410HE Bass Amplifier (Most Powerful)
If you are keen to brighten up the bottom-heavy bass rig or want to save money on fuel, or have no space to haul SVT-810E to the gig, then Ampeg SVT-410HE is adequate for your ride. It delivers full-range performance up to 18kHz. The Ampeg SVT-410HE is the perfect enclosure for the players who need to add clarity to a system that features adequate low-frequency performance.
This speaker cabinet is perfect for the bass player who needs the best in a single compact cabinet setup. The SVT-410 offers destructed low-end bass down to 28Hz as four 10-inch speakers work together to move an enormous amount of air. The SVT-410HLF moves 10 percent more air when compared to two 18-inch speakers and 25 percent more than three 15” speakers. In addition, the four teens respond quickly to transient peaks when compared to those leviathans.
The SVT-410HLF also gives an excellent top-end due to its 1” horn driver, which is crossed strategically over at 4kHz. This is preferred by many artists like Ricky Skaggs’ bass player, Mark Fain and Meshell Ndegeocello, John McVie of Fleetwood Mac. In addition, the high fidelity and superior power handling of the Ampeg SVT-410HLF make it one of the best speaker enclosures for the bass player. An enclosure is made from popular ply and includes 3” dolly-style casters, a 1/4” and Neutrik Speakon jacks, variable HF “L-pad,” and tilt-back handlebar.
This is the perfect cab for those who play many venues where acoustics and bass traps can be an issue. It gives rich low at low volume. So, if you need a good bass amp for metal, this model might be a pretty decent choice.
Features
- Voiced up to 18kHz
- Poplar Ply construction
- Each 4 x 10” Speaker with 2” Voice Coil for Thunderous Lows
- 1inch Voice Coil in HF Horn Driver for clarity and punch
Pros
- Highly portable
- Lightweight
- Budget-friendly
- Low power consumption
Cons
- None
3. Ampeg BA-210V2 Bass Combo Amplifier
The Ampeg BA210V2 is the best bass amp for metal, in our opinion.
The BA Series Bass combo offers classic Ampeg tones in performance-driven, modern designs everywhere, either in the rehearsal studio, stage, or home. The Ampeg BA combo provides a classic Ampeg tone designed for high performance so you can practice at home or rehearse with the band.
The BA Combo Series has the latest cabinet design with 60 sound reinforcement monitor angles for increased clarity. This new design delivers sound directly in any space. In addition, the controls are front-facing, allowing quick adjustments in both positions. For more clarity, players can make the transition from a monitor angle.
The combo amplifier features challenging metal corners, shielded all-steel amp chassis, and rugged enclosures. These are made for long-lasting performance. The amps are portable and suitable to go everywhere because of their excellent performance. This delivers tube-like grind due to revolutionary grinding Bass Scrambler overdrive. It also features auxiliary inputs, a true 60-degree monitoring angle, front-facing controls, and a headphone jack for your time. The BA210 is a powerful 2×10” combo that delivers classic Ampeg tone at perfect volume levels to keep up with a full band.
Features
- Aux input
- Footswitch connector
- Class D power amplifier
- Effects loop
- Solid State
- Line out for living or recording
- External Speaker out
- HF Mute for classic tone
Pros
- Portable
- Rugged
- Modern Flexibility
- Traditional tone
- Rehearsal, practice, and Gig-ready
Cons
- None
4. Peavey Headliner 210 2×10 Bass Amp Cabinet (Best on a Budget)
The Peavey’s latest Headliner series is re-designed for a serious bass player. This economical bass amp is voiced for high bass with several harmonic tones. You can use it with any fine bass amp head because of the performance and versatility of this product. The Headliner is made using internal bracing and covered with tough black carpet. Steel corners provide protection. The amp cabinet includes a 16 gauge perforated black powder coat finished metal grille.
The two-ferrite magnet woofers of 10 inches are made for rich bass. Every note is rendered precisely and ensures tight notes due to a sealed cabinet. Inputs include one 4-pin twist-lock connector for enhanced flexibility and two ÂĽ inch input phone jacks. The Headliner 210 has power handling of 800 watts peak and 400 watts program and 8ohms normal impedance. So, you can use it with any sized bass amp head. In addition, the Headliner 210 with 8-ohm impedance can be stacked easily on Headliner 410 cabinet, resulting in 4 ohms. This is made especially for gigging bassists who need rugged and no-nonsense and dependable cans that they can rely on.
Features
- 800 watts peak and 400 watts program power handling
- 10 inches ceramic magnet woofers
- 8 ohms impedance
- The perforated metal grille of 16 gauge
- 18mm MDF cabinet with steel corners and internal bracing
- Black carpet durable covering
- 1/4inches input jacks
- NL4 four-pin receptacle
Pros
- Compact design
- Portable
- Flawless tone
Cons
- None
5. Ampeg SVT-210AV 2×10 Bass Amplifier Cabinet (Close Runner-Up)
The Ampeg SVT 210 AV is an alternative to SVT cab. It is portable and ideal for recording situations in which SVT810-AV can be too large and loud. The SVT210AV is made using the Infinite Baffle system for true Ampeg tone and maximum speaker efficiency. This pint-sized cabinet is packed with the classic original tone of SVT, known as a bass powerhouse.
When the gig does not need the total horsepower afforded by the traditional SVT line, the SVT 210 AV beautifully fits there with a lot but not overpowering, the power handling of 200watts at 8 ohms.
The SVT-210 AV is adequate for live or recording situations where too much horsepower is unnecessary, but you need industry-standard SVT sound. SVT micro head, a 150-watt head, is the perfect companion to the SVT-210 AV. SVT-210 AV is a good choice for situations where you want SVT sound without SVT girth or volume.
Features
- Infinite baffle design like other SVT Cabs
- Usable Low Frequency (-10dB): 40Hz
- Frequency Response (-3dB): 58Hz-5kHz
- RMS Power Handling: 100 Watts (mono)
- LF Driver: 2×10 Eminence Speakers
Pros
- Low maintenance cost
- Compact design
- Balanced line out
Cons
- None
How to Pick the Best Bass Amp for Metal?
Heavy metal is especially more demanding for bassists. There are many options for bass amps to choose from, so it becomes necessary to look for certain essential features to get the best. For an average bass player, these boundaries can help to pick the best bass amp for metal.
Detuned guitars and high gain amps make it difficult for the exceptional bass. However, the right bass tone differentiates between putting up to the music and losing in the mix. So let us discuss the features for the best bass amp for metal that can make the task easy.
Strike
It is a fact that the low end created by the guitar and the distortion severely affects the bass in metal. The worst happens in modern metal. It might be due to the bassist or sound engineer’s fault sometimes. For a lost bass, something with aggression and a little strike will be the best.
 High Power
High power guitar amps with low end, detuned and seven-string guitars take many sonic frequencies occupied formerly by the bass. Amp with a power range of 350-500 watts can compete. However, more power is fine, but it increases the cost way more than most players want to pay.
Price
Getting the best amp for metal bass can be confusing as more features mean more budget. So, average bassists must get the amps that can be value for money. How much? You can get an excellent bass amp for metal in a $300-600 price range.
If you want more features, the sky is the limit, but you can’t get a decent amplifier for less than that. Don’t get me wrong – there are some $100-300 decent bass amps.
For example, the Ampeg BA-210V2 amplifier reviewed above has smaller siblings – the Ampeg BA-108v2 and the Ampeg BA-110V2 amps. They cost about $120-200, but how good can bass be from a 20- or 40-watt amplifier? You know the correct answer. If you need the best bass amp for practice – that’s your choice.
Conclusion: The Best Bass Amp for Metal Is…
If you are heavy metal or hard rock enthusiast, choosing the best bass amp for the metal needs special attention. The bassists need to get the top-quality sound at an affordable price. Second, you need to choose the best bass amp for metal if you have enjoyed deep bass resonance continuously without failure.
People often define metal as angry and loud and do not appreciate its melodic complexity. Depending on the metal style, the ideal settings need to be changed. In addition, the venue acoustics and bandmates’ settings impact the overall mix.
Our favorite bass amp for metal from the list is Ampeg BA-210V2 Bass Combo Amplifier, as it features a new design that delivers superb performance everywhere. It’s the best bass amp for metal at the moment.