Updated by Bobby
Updated on January 14th, 2022
Headrush originally had the MX5 priced at $400, making it a bit of a bargain compared to the POD GO. Though since we've written this piece, the MX5 has been bumped to $500, further reducing its value and cementing our recommendation of the POD GO as the better pick.
Headrush MX5 VS Line 6 POD Go (Comparison)
Our pick: The Line 6 POD GO
The POD GO is a more expansive and comprehensive pedal than the MX5, with more effects and more amp models. We also like the tone of the POD GO a little more than the MX5, which we'd expect given Line 6 is at the top of the food chain when it comes to digital multi-effects modeling. As a result, we'd say the extra $100 for the POD GO is absolutely a worthwhile upgrade.
It's difficult to compete with Line 6 when it comes to digital multi-effects pedals.
In fact, Line 6 was a pioneer of sorts in this particular category, back in the early days of the Spider amp series. They were one of the few companies making amps that essentially doubled as multi-effects processors.
Since then they've taken that success and funneled it into several series of excellent multi-effects pedals, including the HX Stomp, the Helix series, and the POD GO floorboard.
Our vote goes to the Line 6 POD GO. No offense, headrush.
Headrush has set themselves up as a fairly direct competitor of these Line 6 pedals, particularly with the MX5 and Gigboard.
But in this comparison, we're focusing specifically on the MX5 and the POD GO.
Which one is the better value?
Headrush MX5 VS Line 6 POD GO: Basic Compare Table
This table is a simpler comparison that looks at pricing and a few other specs. It's important to note first that the Headrush MX5 is cheaper than the POD GO, and set up in a similar fashion, though with less footswitches to work with (the POD GO has eight). Overall the POD GO is a more advanced and more comprehensive pedal that gives you a wider range of effects to work with, and more ways to program them.
Pedal | Title | Rated | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Headrush MX5 | n/a | |
| Line 6 POD GO | n/a |
Watch the Comparison
This video breaks the article version of the comparison down into simple bullet points.
Video Demo Comparison
The difference in tone quality between the two pedals will certainly have a lot to do with the type of gear you put around them, namely the guitar and amplifier (unless you're recording direct from the pedal). But we've highlighted two demo videos from the same YouTube channel that will hopefully give you a more accurate picture of the two pedal's tones.
Specs Sheet (detailed)
Aside from just having more of everything, the POD GO feels a lot stronger in your hand, like it's built better than the Headrush MX5. Particularly the expression pedal on the POD GO seems a lot stronger than the smaller one on the MX5. The difference in size helps with this as well, because the POD GO is just bigger.
Otherwise, you can go through this table to see exactly where the two units differ. Note that both support storing third party impulse responses.
Another note that's not reflected in the table is that the MX5 features a four inch touchscreen.
Header | Go | MX5 |
|---|---|---|
Pedal Type | Multi-effects and amp modeling | Multi-effects and amp modeling |
Presets | 256 (2 setlists with 32 banks x 4 presets | Not listed |
Number of effects | 275+ effects (Helix & Legacy combined), Up to 10 simultaneous FX (6 fixed, 4 flexible) | 63 total algorithms |
Effects types | Mandarin Rocker Drive, Ratatouille Distortion, Fuzz, Tremolo, Chorus, Vibrato, Rotary, Retro Reel Delay, Reverb, Modulator, Wah | Distortion, Dynamics, Modulation, Reverb, Delay, FX Loop, Expression |
Amp modeling | 80+ Guitar/Bass Amps, 39 Cabinets, 16 Mic Models | 46 x Amp Models, 15 x Cabinets, 10 x Microphone Emulations |
Inputs | 1 x 1/4" (instrument), 1 x 1/4" (FX return/aux stereo) | 1 x 1/4" (instrument), 1 x 1/4" (FX return), 1 x 1/8" (aux) |
Outputs | 2 x 1/4" (L/mono, R), 1 x 1/4" (amp out), 1 x 1/4" (FX send stereo) | 2 x 1/4" TRS (L/mono, R), 1 x 1/4" (FX send) |
MIDI | USB | 2 x 1/8" (In, Out/Thru) |
Height | 3.46" | 2.75" |
Width | 14.1" | 11.6" |
Depth | 9" | 7.6" |
Weight | 5.2 lbs. | 3.46 lbs. |
Better value option?
If you just want to save some money, the MX5 isn't a bad option. But we just like the POD GO a lot better, given the reliability of the Line 6 brand, the expanded functionality, and the improved tone quality.
We think the POD GO is easily worth the added expense (roughly $100).
Even if you were to buy the POD GO based solely on the fact that it has a much easier foot switching system (eight switches, kind of like a MIDI controller), it would be worth the added expense.
In our view, that's a preferable arrangement compared to the up/down banking and recall system of the MX5.
We'll recommend the Line 6 POD GO and feel good about it.
Other Resources
Written by GC Editorial on Pedals and Comparisons
Written by GC Editorial on Pedals and Comparisons
haha bobby got freaking smashhhhhhed
So er’ do.
Wondering why you didn’t compare DSP which Pod Go is lacking in comparison and blocks which there are more & more flexibility with the Headrush..If you’re going to do a revue tell the WHOLE story, not some crap based on your personal biases..
I mean, it’s meant to be a comparison – not a review. Also, not sure what you’re saying about the POD GO “lacking” a DSP.
This “comparison” isn’t fair at all, just call it “opinion” and it’s all good, because even though I like the POD GO more for some points, it looks like this article was made by the Line6 itself trying to sell their product lol. It says that there are more ways to program the effects in the POD GO, but no, there is just a serial signal chain with just 4 free blocks, no dual amp/cab option and some serious DSP limitations. It does not feel “a lot stronger”, in fact the MX5 construction is really good (ins and outs are slightly better aswell), I would just say that a Line6 product is more reliable overall. The “detailed” specs sheet didn’t even detail anything, it says that there are 10 blocks on the POD GO (not saying that Send/Return, Wah and Eq eats up 3 of this blocks and if you don’t use them you’ll basically have 7 blocks, Volume fixed aswell but I always use it anyway) but on the Headrush side it doesn’t even say that it has 11 blocks, AND they’re all free, you can literally put anything you want (including dual amps/cabs, plus there are 3 types of signal chains, not just the serial one) as long as DSP is not a problem, and it definitely isn’t, unlike the POD GO where I can’t load a custom IR when using all the blocks and choosing a Kinky comp along with a Spring reverb, the DSP just can’t lol. But it’s funny thayt you didn’t talk about the computer app, that is one of biggest POD GO advantages, did not mention the snapshots (even though the MX5 has a scene feature that you didn’t mention either, using the snapshots and switching back and forth to stomp mode feels a lot good on the POD GO, with the 6 footswitches and 1 for tap tempo always present, it’s just perfect for live use, unlike the MX5 where you would end up having to use a MIDI controller, not a big problem but…), but you did say about the “up and down banking” on the Headrush, but the foots can do A LOT more, even though 3 is definitely less than I would want. So in conclusion, no real information expected from a “comparison” was given here, and even the things that would make me buy the POD GO over the MX5 (pod go edit, snapshots) wasn’t really shown.
Thanks for sharing additional info. I say all over this site that this is “opinion.” Basically the ramblings of a lunatic.
Calm down and take it with a grain of salt.
Outrage over guitar pedals is stupid.
No, you didn’t say it was an opinion, although it’s clear, you said it was a comparison. No outrage at all, both units are great (just depends on what you’ll use them), I’m just doing what this article was made for: directly compare the 2 units, highlight the pros and cons in each of them to help someone buy one or another based on what they will judge more important for their personal use, not just say “buy THIS” without knowing what is the need of someone who’s reading. I just forgot to talk about the Looper, that is almost unusable in the POD GO, and Headrush has one of best in the market. But I don’t have any problem with your opinion, I would just expect you to choose a better title, something like “Why you should buy the POD GO over X”, then it’s all good.
I’ll take it under advisement. Thanks for the additional info.