Line 6 X2 Digital Wireless Guitar Systems

Ok, I went to Radio Shack today to pick up a replacement 9v power adapter for my X2 wireless system, and it got me thinkin, I never reviewed this thing!

The version I have is the sub-$200 XDS95. I’ve been using it for probably 6 months now. I know what you’re thinking… “A $200 wireless guitar system, this guy cant be serious about his music”. If so, you obviously have had the same bad experiences I had in the past.

I was skeptical, and rightly so… I had tried two other “cheap” wireless systems. Frankly, they sounded like junk… They made my guitar sound completely different (thin and toneless) and I had tons of problems with dropouts. I gave up on the idea of ridding myself of cables forever a long time ago, convinced that even the most expensive wireless system would fall short of the sound quality and reliability of a cable.

Several years of satisfaction with Line 6 products kept drawing me to the X2 wireless system. I read nothing but rave reviews, and this was a different technology than any other wireless unit out there. I figured it was time to give wireless one last shot. If line 6 gets it wrong then I’m done with wireless FOREVER.

BOY WAS I WRONG!
I already had it set in my mind that this would be another failed attempt. I carefully reviewed the return policy prior to purchasing, and had absolutely 0 expectations.
When, I opened the box the first thing I noticed is that it came with energizer batteries… Pretty Cool!
Loaded the batteries, connected the cables, and turned it on (really… that’s all there was to it). I heard NOTHING BUT SILENCE…. no humming, no static, no fuzz… just silence! I strum my guitar and it comes through, and I laugh out loud… WOW, this thing actually sounds good!
(For a minute, with the silence before I strummed, I wasn’t sure it was going to work at all). The sound of the guitar naturally faded away into dead silence. But what good is it if I have to be within 3 feet of the receiver? I walked around the house, I played in every room, I walked outside… not a single dropout. I only went so far down my road before I realized I looked like an idiot and came inside. I found my A/B switch and I ran the cable from my guitar into the switch. I ran one leg of the switch through the wireless system to the POD X3, and one straight to the X3.
Switching back and forth, I truly could not hear ANY difference between the two!

I carried it with me to practice. I walked all over the church. I made several trips to the sound board… I have been using it ever since, and have yet to hear my guitar drop out even once! This thing is simply amazing! I can’t believe it was less than $200. I rely on it 3 times a week, and if it broke or was stolen I’d immediately replace it. They have some higher end models, but I can’t see why anyone would need them, other than possibly needing a rack mount unit.

If I had any criticisms, it would be that it uses 9v batteries. They aren’t cheap, but you get about 5 hours from one battery, so that’s not too bad for a 9v, but AA batteries would have been a more economical choice. Also, I happened to have a 9v AC adapter laying around for the receiver, but it would have been nice if it came with one. I can’t see anyone who uses this on a regular bases taking out a screwdriver to replace a 9v battery every 5 hours of use. The battery power makes a nice backup (used this when my old power supply failed last week) but I can’t believe they would expect this to be the primary source of power for the transmitter. Finally, the transmitter jack requires a threaded 1/8″ plug. It would have been nice if the engineers would have used a standard 1/4″ jack, but so far I have had no problems with it.

Here’s the rundown:

Pros: This wireless unit is inexpensive, it has excellent range, and it’s completely transparent to your tone. No dropouts, and dead simple to setup.

Cons: 9v batteries are more expensive than the AA’s that some other units use. Did not come with a power adapter for the receiver and the battery compartment is screwed shut. Also, it doesn’t use a standard 1/4″ cable.

Overall: I would recommend this product to ANYONE and EVERYONE who is considering going wireless. I have been blown away by the value of this little $200 wonder!