Electro-Harmonix Cathedral Stereo ReverbFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 24 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment65%
PROS 65%
CONS 35%

Rank based on 24 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want reverse, flerb, delay, and infinite-hold textures beyond basic reverb
  • You run your rig in true stereo and want spatial depth
  • You value creative inspiration and price-to-feature ratio over pro studio polish

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a compact pedalboard-friendly footprint
  • You need multiple recallable presets per mode
  • You mainly want pristine hall/plate reverb rather than experimental textures

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

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Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
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Long-term reliability and board loyalty
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Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
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MXR Super Badass Distortion
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Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
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Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
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
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
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Moog Subsequent 37
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
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
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
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Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Electro-Harmonix Cathedral Stereo Reverb
Versatile mode selectionInfinite hold featureStrong value for priceBulky footprint and tiny controlsNo ping-pong delay or shimmer modeOnly one preset per mode
Electro-Harmonix Cathedral Stereo Reverb
Versatile mode selection
Infinite hold feature
Strong value for price
Bulky footprint and tiny controls
No ping-pong delay or shimmer mode
Only one preset per mode

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The infinite/hold feature is the pedal's signature creative tool. Several commenters single out the infinite button as the best feature, describing how holding it sustains reverb endlessly for drones, ambient pads, and even doom-laden bass tones with fuzz. Others mention using it alongside external delays for trippy, layered textures. This function seems to be what elevates the Cathedral from a simple reverb box into an inspirational sound-design tool for ambient and experimental players.

Reviewers are split on the quality of its core hall and plate reverbs. Some users say the plate setting is great for subtle, everyday reverb and that the algorithms overall are good and useful, especially the reverse and flerb modes. Others are much harsher, calling the hall and plate sounds horrible and arguing the pedal is basically an overpriced Holy Grail Plus. This suggests satisfaction may depend heavily on which modes a player relies on most.

Its stereo operation and studio-oriented design shape who it suits best. Commenters note the pedal truly shines when used in stereo rather than recorded or run in mono, and it's described as clean and quiet enough for effects loops. However, others point out its small knobs are hard to see and adjust on a dark stage, and its footprint takes up significant pedalboard space, making it feel more suited to studio or bedroom use than heavy touring.

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