Akai S2000From real comments

Verdict distilled from 42 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment51%
PROS 51%
CONS 49%

Rank based on 42 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want authentic gritty vintage sampler character and resampling dirt for drums/808s
  • You're willing to learn deep menu diving and invest in floppy emulators/SCSI mods
  • You want an affordable entry into the classic Akai S-series sound

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need an intuitive, fast, hands-on workflow without menu diving
  • You're not prepared to deal with floppy disk boot issues or potential reliability faults
  • You want maximum outputs/features without buying and installing expansion boards

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Premium
Moog Subsequent 37~$1,799 · 1.4× pricier
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37~$1,799 · 1.4× pricier
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
2Premium
Roland TR-808~$1,195 · similar price
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808~$1,195 · similar price
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
3Premium
Elektron Machinedrum~$1,399 · similar price
Control-All WorkflowDeep Synthesis EnginePunchy, Unique SoundRising Secondhand PricesWorkflow QuirksHard-to-Replace Battery
Elektron Machinedrum~$1,399 · similar price
Control-All Workflow
Deep Synthesis Engine
Punchy, Unique Sound
Rising Secondhand Prices
Workflow Quirks
Hard-to-Replace Battery
Best value
4Premium
Moog Grandmother~$999 · 1.3× cheaper
Authentic huge Moog soundInspires creativity and experimentationBuilt-in spring reverbFewer features than higher-priced alternativesOnly one LFO and one envelopeLow-end drop-off with high resonance
Moog Grandmother~$999 · 1.3× cheaper
Authentic huge Moog sound
Inspires creativity and experimentation
Built-in spring reverb
Fewer features than higher-priced alternatives
Only one LFO and one envelope
Low-end drop-off with high resonance
You are here
5Premium
Akai S2000~$1,299
Distinctive vintage sound characterAffordable entry into classic Akai soundExpandable and rewarding once moddedNotorious menu divingFloppy disk boot dependencyPoor documentation for beginners
Akai S2000~$1,299
Distinctive vintage sound character
Affordable entry into classic Akai sound
Expandable and rewarding once modded
Notorious menu diving
Floppy disk boot dependency
Poor documentation for beginners

Who wins on what (similar price)

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The sound and character win people over despite the hassle. Commenters consistently praise the S2000's smooth aliasing, gritty resampling function, and how overdriving the input yields pleasant distortion rather than harsh clipping. Several say drum samples, especially 808s, sound uniquely good, and long-time studio users call it one of their favorite 'synths' for its distinct sound character, comparable to or better than software emulations like Kontakt.

Menu diving is the machine's defining flaw. An overwhelming number of comments cite the deep, non-intuitive menu navigation as the S2000's biggest weakness, with some calling it a dealbreaker that turns the unit into a shelf ornament. Users note the manual was poorly organized for beginners, and even experienced engineers found the workflow fiddly and uninspiring, though a few say it becomes tolerable once learned and expanded.

Floppy dependency and reliability are recurring headaches. Multiple owners describe needing a boot disk just to operate the unit, with slow, obsolete floppy formats causing major friction; solutions like Gotek emulators and SCSI2SD mods are widely recommended. Some units suffered hardware failures like jog-wheel glitches or complete power death, while others required tracking down expansion boards (8-out, effects, RAM) to get the most from the machine.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?