Boss HM-2From real comments

Verdict distilled from 47 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment75%
PROS 75%
CONS 25%

Rank based on 47 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want the classic 'Swedish chainsaw' death metal tone
  • You're curious about its surprising versatility for shoegaze, synths, or lead tones
  • You enjoy experimenting with EQ/gain settings rather than just maxing every knob

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You expect a polished, conventionally 'good' sounding distortion
  • You need consistent high output straight into a clean channel
  • You're not willing to spend time dialing it in beyond the default maxed settings

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

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1Mid
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Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
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Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
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Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
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Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
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Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
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Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Mid
Boss HM-2
Surprising versatility beyond metalIconic 'Swedish chainsaw' death metal toneDistinctive character even at low gainSeen as a one-trick pony / meme pedalHarsh, fatiguing tone for some listenersLower output/gain than expected
Boss HM-2
Surprising versatility beyond metal
Iconic 'Swedish chainsaw' death metal tone
Distinctive character even at low gain
Seen as a one-trick pony / meme pedal
Harsh, fatiguing tone for some listeners
Lower output/gain than expected

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Its maxed-out tone became a genre-defining sound in death metal. Multiple commenters trace the classic 'Swedish chainsaw' tone directly to the HM-2, citing Dismember, Nihilist/Entombed, Bloodbath and At The Gates as users who cranked every knob into a tube or Marshall head. Fans describe it as evil, filthy, and genre-shaping, with some saying the tone actually influenced the riffs and genre that grew around it rather than the reverse.

It's far more versatile than its 'one setting' meme suggests. Beyond metal, commenters mention it being used by My Bloody Valentine and other shoegaze acts for hazy tones, by Daft Punk and acid house producers running synths through it, on bass for spaceship sounds, and by David Gilmour for searing Pink Floyd leads. Others use it as a low-gain boost or fuzz pedal by keeping the high knob back and gain low.

Output and build quality vary, and the sound can feel harsh or thin at low settings. Several users note the pedal's output is lower than expected, calling it 'anemic' even in the new Waza version, and describe noticeable differences between individual original units. Others find it genuinely unpleasant or ear-fatiguing when not dialed in properly, and originals have become expensive and hard to find on the used market.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?