KSR Gemini vs Orthos vs Ares

[MYDEMISE]

I have been combing through youtube etc to see what model has the best tone and am stumped. They all sound great. Looking for unbiased opinions from actual owners of any of these or in a perfect world, someone who has owned all 3. Not looking for a colossus per se as my budget does not allow for it and I actually like the tones from the 3 amp models listed just fine. Features such as midi are a bonus but pure tonal greatness is paramount. I am not sure if the Ares can do a pristine clean or if it always has breakup and am curious about this? Thanks in advance for your time and input.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I own all 3. Have put out YouTube vids of all 3. It’s really a tough call. They all have the signature KSR tone. If I was forced to pick just one it would be the Gemini for my type of playing. So many tonal options for a 2 channel amp. Kyle is a badass builder that has the best customer support in the business next to James Peters. In my opinion anyway. I own a bunch of amps and all of them get compared to the Gemini. So far all have lost. The Amp is so brutal but has so much clarity at the same time, without a shitload of compression. I’ve never played another amp that could achieve this.

Anyway, my vote is Gemini. If you want to see my vids let me know. I seem to wear out my welcome with vids so.......yeah.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Can't speak for the Gemini or Orthos but I own an ARES and tonally speaking its the real deal. Epic modern metal tones but it is modern metal in its voicing for sure. Not sure what type of metal tone your after but the ARES isn't gonna give ya the "classic" metal vibe. It will however give ya a tight, mid focused, pissed off modern metal voicing and feel.

It offers up a very rich, deep, thick, warm mid heavy tone that just comes off very angry and the gain knob can be dialed in to be extremely saturated or relatively open but very articulate at all settings. The various dip switches (Fat, voice, bright) really allow for some significant alterations in mid shift and low end response. Sorry to say, but I don't think the ARES is gonna offer you the cleans your after IMO.

The ARES truly is an amazing hard rock/metal amp; with the nod towards modern metal for sure.

I believe Gsxrbusa has owned, or maybe still does, all three of the amps your in question about. He also did a you tube vid on the ARES clean capability if ya google it. Maybe he will chime in.

 

[errrrrl]

Anyway, my vote is Gemini. If you want to see my vids let me know. I seem to wear out my welcome with vids so.......yeah.

Dude I totally dig your vids... heavy fucking riffage is what I want to hear vs most of the other youtube amp videos out there. Just saying

Btw, thanks for the Gemini gas... fucker...

 

[MetalHeadMike]

There ya have it ^^^


You must have clicked submit seconds before me Tom.

 

[MYDEMISE]

I own all 3. Have put out YouTube vids of all 3. It’s really a tough call. They all have the signature KSR tone. If I was forced to pick just one it would be the Gemini for my type of playing. So many tonal options for a 2 channel amp. Kyle is a badass builder that has the best customer support in the business next to James Peters. In my opinion anyway. I own a bunch of amps and all of them get compared to the Gemini. So far all have lost. The Amp is so brutal but has so much clarity at the same time, without a shitload of compression. I’ve never played another amp that could achieve this.

Anyway, my vote is Gemini. If you want to see my vids let me know. I seem to wear out my welcome with vids so.......yeah.

Yeah what is your YouTube channel link?

I need pristine cleans. I have a BE100 that I love and a Quickrod that is killer as well as a heavily modded 90s rectifier. I find myself now finishing the collection looking for a very modern or as goldmember would say, toight" sounding amp along the lines of a diezel einstein or now that I just heard about them, KSR. Other amps I am new to but interested in are the Revv 120 and Driftwood purple nightmare.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

There ya have it ^^^


You must have clicked submit seconds before me Tom.

Indeed brother!

 

[Gsxrbusa]

Anyway, my vote is Gemini. If you want to see my vids let me know. I seem to wear out my welcome with vids so.......yeah.

Dude I totally dig your vids... heavy fucking riffage is what I want to hear vs most of the other youtube amp videos out there. Just saying

Btw, thanks for the Gemini gas... fucker...

Thank you my friend! Much appreciated! Oh, and sorry for the gas but it’s totally worth it!

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I own all 3. Have put out YouTube vids of all 3. It’s really a tough call. They all have the signature KSR tone. If I was forced to pick just one it would be the Gemini for my type of playing. So many tonal options for a 2 channel amp. Kyle is a badass builder that has the best customer support in the business next to James Peters. In my opinion anyway. I own a bunch of amps and all of them get compared to the Gemini. So far all have lost. The Amp is so brutal but has so much clarity at the same time, without a shitload of compression. I’ve never played another amp that could achieve this.

Anyway, my vote is Gemini. If you want to see my vids let me know. I seem to wear out my welcome with vids so.......yeah.

Yeah what is your YouTube channel link?

I need pristine cleans. I have a BE100 that I love and a Quickrod that is killer as well as a heavily modded 90s rectifier. I find myself now finishing the collection looking for a very modern or as goldmember would say, toight" sounding amp along the lines of a diezel einstein or now that I just heard about them, KSR. Other amps I am new to but interested in are the Revv 120 and Driftwood purple nightmare.

I just made this Ares vid this weekend. I’m “Thesubmancometh” on Youtube.

 

[rottingcorpse]

I ordered my Gemini purely on gsxrbusa's advice. Kyle hooked me up with KT88s in it. One of my all time favorite amps. Total keeper.

 

[MYDEMISE]

Are the tonal options or base tone between the Orthos & the Gemini the same? I have a gcx that could do the switching for me so midi isn't a necessity. I just wonder why the Gemini slays the Orthos tonally. Is it solely on channel switching options alone or voicing? Thanks for all your help. Your videos are killer. If you ever had a break in the action to compare all 3 amps in the same video clip, mic or camera placement for apple's to apples comparison it would be the end all be all tone test. That being said I would not actually expect anyone to go to that extent after already doing so many million amp clips already lol.

 

[Detroit1973]

I own all 3. Have put out YouTube vids of all 3. It’s really a tough call. They all have the signature KSR tone. If I was forced to pick just one it would be the Gemini for my type of playing. So many tonal options for a 2 channel amp. Kyle is a badass builder that has the best customer support in the business next to James Peters. In my opinion anyway. I own a bunch of amps and all of them get compared to the Gemini. So far all have lost. The Amp is so brutal but has so much clarity at the same time, without a shitload of compression. I’ve never played another amp that could achieve this.

Anyway, my vote is Gemini. If you want to see my vids let me know. I seem to wear out my welcome with vids so.......yeah.

Yeah what is your YouTube channel link?

I need pristine cleans. I have a BE100 that I love and a Quickrod that is killer as well as a heavily modded 90s rectifier. I find myself now finishing the collection looking for a very modern or as goldmember would say, toight" sounding amp along the lines of a diezel einstein or now that I just heard about them, KSR. Other amps I am new to but interested in are the Revv 120 and Driftwood purple nightmare.

I just made this Ares vid this weekend. I’m “Thesubmancometh” on Youtube.

I watch your vids all the time & they make me want to smash people in the neck. I LOVE your videos. What Cab, Tuning, Pickups were used making this video?

 

[maddnotez]

Fucking hell. Another classic subman video.

If anyone is ever in a place of no GAS just visit this YouTube channel.

 

[Pushead]

I bought based on GSXR's videos, too.

I went Artemis II, just based on my effort to keep gig setup simple. Very happy with the amp and Kyle was awesome to work with.

 

[MYDEMISE]

I bought based on GSXR's videos, too.

I went Artemis II, just based on my effort to keep gig setup simple. Very happy with the amp and Kyle was awesome to work with.

Is the Artemis a Gemini in a rack form? Tones the same or is the Gemini voiced different? I mainly see fusion player type videos for the Artemis and djent players with the Gemini.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I ordered my Gemini purely on gsxrbusa's advice. Kyle hooked me up with KT88s in it. One of my all time favorite amps. Total keeper.

The amp is just like you bro, "Total Keeper".

Are the tonal options or base tone between the Orthos & the Gemini the same? I have a gcx that could do the switching for me so midi isn't a necessity. I just wonder why the Gemini slays the Orthos tonally. Is it solely on channel switching options alone or voicing? Thanks for all your help. Your videos are killer. If you ever had a break in the action to compare all 3 amps in the same video clip, mic or camera placement for apple's to apples comparison it would be the end all be all tone test. That being said I would not actually expect anyone to go to that extent after already doing so many million amp clips already lol.

They are pretty close tonally. I wouldn't say the Gemini slays the rest of them, (I also own the Colossus) they are really really close in the tone department. The Gemini just has a little something special but not leaps and bounds. I don't think you can go wrong with any of Kyle's designs. I honestly prefer the midi capability of the Gemini and Colossus (Artemis too but that's the only one I don't own.....yet ). I have a newer Orthos 2 and it has the feel knob to change the tone. Super cool feature. Maybe talk with Kyle to get a better idea of what would suit you best for your style and needs.

I own all 3. Have put out YouTube vids of all 3. It’s really a tough call. They all have the signature KSR tone. If I was forced to pick just one it would be the Gemini for my type of playing. So many tonal options for a 2 channel amp. Kyle is a badass builder that has the best customer support in the business next to James Peters. In my opinion anyway. I own a bunch of amps and all of them get compared to the Gemini. So far all have lost. The Amp is so brutal but has so much clarity at the same time, without a shitload of compression. I’ve never played another amp that could achieve this.

Anyway, my vote is Gemini. If you want to see my vids let me know. I seem to wear out my welcome with vids so.......yeah.

Yeah what is your YouTube channel link?

I need pristine cleans. I have a BE100 that I love and a Quickrod that is killer as well as a heavily modded 90s rectifier. I find myself now finishing the collection looking for a very modern or as goldmember would say, toight" sounding amp along the lines of a diezel einstein or now that I just heard about them, KSR. Other amps I am new to but interested in are the Revv 120 and Driftwood purple nightmare.

I just made this Ares vid this weekend. I’m “Thesubmancometh” on Youtube.

I watch your vids all the time & they make me want to smash people in the neck. I LOVE your videos. What Cab, Tuning, Pickups were used making this video?

You are too kind brother! Thank you. That vid was a VHT/Fryette Deliverance cab with 75w Creambacks and a Marshall Mode 4 with Redbacks. I'm really digging both of those speakers at the moment. I was tuned to C# (half step down and drop the E of course). So not really that low. The pickups are the Fishman Fluence Moderns, love these pickups! Thanks again bro!

Fucking hell. Another classic subman video.

If anyone is ever in a place of no GAS just visit this YouTube channel.

Thank you good sir! I give myself gas all the time. Oh, and congrats on the JP2C!!

I bought based on GSXR's videos, too.

I went Artemis II, just based on my effort to keep gig setup simple. Very happy with the amp and Kyle was awesome to work with.

Dang! Super cool. Glad to hear you are happy with the amp and experience. Maybe I should be getting kickbacks from Kyle? Haha, just kidding. He takes really good care of me and has become a great friend.

I bought based on GSXR's videos, too.

I went Artemis II, just based on my effort to keep gig setup simple. Very happy with the amp and Kyle was awesome to work with.

Is the Artemis a Gemini in a rack form? Tones the same or is the Gemini voiced different? I mainly see fusion player type videos for the Artemis and djent players with the Gemini.

The Artemis is rack form but I'm not 100% sure tonally where it fits in. I do know it can get super heavy just like all of them.

 

[RedB4Black]

I ordered my Gemini purely on gsxrbusa's advice. Kyle hooked me up with KT88s in it. One of my all time favorite amps. Total keeper.

I have been wanting to put KT88s in my Gemini and compare to my Ultra Lead. I feel the Gemini - how I play it...on the Lead blue channel/bright - is very reminiscent of my UL, but with a little Uberschall thrown in. I'm wondering how the KT88s will change things up, give it more of the UL feel maybe.

 

[KrunKGringoeZ]

I ordered my Gemini purely on gsxrbusa's advice. Kyle hooked me up with KT88s in it. One of my all time favorite amps. Total keeper.

The amp is just like you bro, "Total Keeper".

Are the tonal options or base tone between the Orthos & the Gemini the same? I have a gcx that could do the switching for me so midi isn't a necessity. I just wonder why the Gemini slays the Orthos tonally. Is it solely on channel switching options alone or voicing? Thanks for all your help. Your videos are killer. If you ever had a break in the action to compare all 3 amps in the same video clip, mic or camera placement for apple's to apples comparison it would be the end all be all tone test. That being said I would not actually expect anyone to go to that extent after already doing so many million amp clips already lol.

They are pretty close tonally. I wouldn't say the Gemini slays the rest of them, (I also own the Colossus) they are really really close in the tone department. The Gemini just has a little something special but not leaps and bounds. I don't think you can go wrong with any of Kyle's designs. I honestly prefer the midi capability of the Gemini and Colossus (Artemis too but that's the only one I don't own.....yet ). I have a newer Orthos 2 and it has the feel knob to change the tone. Super cool feature. Maybe talk with Kyle to get a better idea of what would suit you best for your style and needs.

I own all 3. Have put out YouTube vids of all 3. It’s really a tough call. They all have the signature KSR tone. If I was forced to pick just one it would be the Gemini for my type of playing. So many tonal options for a 2 channel amp. Kyle is a badass builder that has the best customer support in the business next to James Peters. In my opinion anyway. I own a bunch of amps and all of them get compared to the Gemini. So far all have lost. The Amp is so brutal but has so much clarity at the same time, without a shitload of compression. I’ve never played another amp that could achieve this.

Anyway, my vote is Gemini. If you want to see my vids let me know. I seem to wear out my welcome with vids so.......yeah.

Yeah what is your YouTube channel link?

I need pristine cleans. I have a BE100 that I love and a Quickrod that is killer as well as a heavily modded 90s rectifier. I find myself now finishing the collection looking for a very modern or as goldmember would say, toight" sounding amp along the lines of a diezel einstein or now that I just heard about them, KSR. Other amps I am new to but interested in are the Revv 120 and Driftwood purple nightmare.

I just made this Ares vid this weekend. I’m “Thesubmancometh” on Youtube.

I watch your vids all the time & they make me want to smash people in the neck. I LOVE your videos. What Cab, Tuning, Pickups were used making this video?

You are too kind brother! Thank you. That vid was a VHT/Fryette Deliverance cab with 75w Creambacks and a Marshall Mode 4 with Redbacks. I'm really digging both of those speakers at the moment. I was tuned to C# (half step down and drop the E of course). So not really that low. The pickups are the Fishman Fluence Moderns, love these pickups! Thanks again bro!

Fucking hell. Another classic subman video.

If anyone is ever in a place of no GAS just visit this YouTube channel.

Thank you good sir! I give myself gas all the time. Oh, and congrats on the JP2C!!

I bought based on GSXR's videos, too.

I went Artemis II, just based on my effort to keep gig setup simple. Very happy with the amp and Kyle was awesome to work with.

Dang! Super cool. Glad to hear you are happy with the amp and experience. Maybe I should be getting kickbacks from Kyle? Haha, just kidding. He takes really good care of me and has become a great friend.

I bought based on GSXR's videos, too.

I went Artemis II, just based on my effort to keep gig setup simple. Very happy with the amp and Kyle was awesome to work with.

Is the Artemis a Gemini in a rack form? Tones the same or is the Gemini voiced different? I mainly see fusion player type videos for the Artemis and djent players with the Gemini.

The Artemis is rack form but I'm not 100% sure tonally where it fits in. I do know it can get super heavy just like all of them.

Im subbed to your channel as well, going back like six months. The only thing i wish you did was play some clips with and without the isp sub. It gives so much in your face brutal low end

 

[Pushead]

Is the Artemis a Gemini in a rack form? Tones the same or is the Gemini voiced different? I mainly see fusion player type videos for the Artemis and djent players with the Gemini.

I think it's essentially half-Gemini, half-Colossus. I have a clean channel (that the Fusion guy uses in his demo) and the two lead channels from the Colossus, but with the shaping ability of the Gemini. And the crunch channel (ch 2) of the Colossus is actually hidden in the lead 2 channel.

But yeah, rack form. Same midi control as the two biggies (I would like an Orthos for a backup!)

I did this video like 3 days after getting it, so I've changed some of the sounds a bit, but surprisingly not much. The guitars are more similar sounding than the video suggests, so you can get an idea of the sound difference between Lead 1 and Lead 2. Unfortunately, this is the best recording I have of the amp at the moment, though there are rumors that we'll start tracking tunes again soon.

 

[MYDEMISE]

It sounds heavy. Are you in drop C in the Artemis video? I put an (in search of) for the Artemis or Gemini in the classifieds. Have a ton of gear for sale or trade to fund one.