Roland KC-550 4-Channel Mixing 180 Watt Keyboard Amp (Discontinued)

Gearank High Notes

• 2017.09: Equal Highest Rated Keyboard Amp Under $1000
• 2016.05: Highest Rated Keyboard Amp Under $1000

Gearank Recommendation

The KC-550 appeared on our recommended list for Keyboard Amps Under $1000 when we first published the list in May 2016 and remained there until November 2018 when it had been superseded by the KC-600.

Overview

This 180 Watt amp comes with a 15″ woofer for producing strong bass tones but also has an output for a subwoofer if you want additional power on the bottom end.

A handy feature is the dual balanced XLR outputs which allows you to send the signal over long snake cables to a PA mixing console without the need for a stereo DI box.

It sports an output select switch and a shape switch for making quick tonal adjustments.

It also has a stereo link I/O so you can chain two of these together for full stereo sound. Although you can get a single stereo amp for less than two of these, some people prefer to use two amps for stereo so they can be placed at a much larger distance apart than the two speakers of a stereo amp. It also has stereo aux inputs for backing tracks.

It’s a versatile amp used as a small PA system, for monitoring, and also as a submixer on stage.

Customer reviews show that the Roland KC-550 is being used as a workhorse amp by keyboardists, bass players, electronic drummers and more.

Specifications

• Output Power: 180 Watts.
• Number of Channels: 4.
• Inputs: 1 XLR, 4 x 1/4″, 2 x RCA (stereo aux), and a stereo 1/4″ TRS.
• Outputs: Balanced 2 x XLR, Unbalanced 2 x 1/4″ TS, 1/4″ subwoofer out, 1/4″ TRS stereo out, and a 1/4″ TRS headphone out.
• Speakers: 15″ Woofer and a 1″ Tweeter.
• Tone Control: 3 band EQ.
• Size: 21″ x 23″ x 17.5″.
• Weight: 63 lbs.