Electro-Harmonix BattalionFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 31 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment71%
PROS 71%
CONS 29%

Rank based on 31 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a flexible, affordable bass preamp/DI with strong EQ and drive tones
  • You need a utility pedal that covers clean, drive, and DI duties in one box
  • You like EHX's overall sound and want a Swiss-army-knife solution

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You rely heavily on a noise gate for quick stop/start playing
  • You need battery power or an integrated FX loop
  • You want a highly refined, transparent compressor

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
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
Friedman Little Sister
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
Friedman Little Sister
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
Orange OR15
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
Marantz PM7000N
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
Electro-Harmonix Battalion
Great overdrive/distortion toneVersatile preamp/DI utilityGood value for the featuresNoise gate closes too slowly / clicksCompressor limitationsMetallic character to tone
Electro-Harmonix Battalion
Great overdrive/distortion tone
Versatile preamp/DI utility
Good value for the features
Noise gate closes too slowly / clicks
Compressor limitations
Metallic character to tone

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The EQ and overdrive are the standout strengths across reviews. Commenters repeatedly single out the lo/hi mid EQ and drive circuit as excellent, with some saying it beats their SansAmp or sounds comparable to a Darkglass Microtubes. The distortion is described as keeping bass weight while adding bite rather than sounding thin or digital, and the pre/post/dry blend option was called brilliant by one long-time owner.

The noise gate is the pedal's most consistent complaint. Multiple users report the gate opens fine but closes too slowly, causing a slight hum or click before cutting off, especially on quick start-stop bass parts. One reviewer called it 'basically useless,' and another described it as clicking and cutting when set above roughly 11 o'clock, though most agree the rest of the pedal compensates well.

The compressor and extra features split opinion but overall value is praised. Some owners find the compressor too futzy or limited compared to dedicated one-knob comps, and one noted decreased output volume when compression is engaged. Others are satisfied using it at lower settings for clear, even punch. Several buyers cite the price point and EHX's reputation as deciding factors, calling it a killer unit and great bang for buck.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?