The Empress ParaEQ MkII is an Empress eq pedal, currently around $249. Close alternatives include the Emma DiscomBOBulator and the Chaos Custom Shop Sub Sonic Filter. It pairs well with the Marshall Origin 20 Combo and the Blackstar HT20 Mk. II 20 Watt Combo.
Empress ParaEQ MkII
Empress · pedal
The Empress ParaEQ MkII is a redesigned, more compact version of the original ParaEQ, packing the same studio-level three-band parametric equalization into a significantly smaller enclosure (roughly 2.6 by 4.8 by 1.5 inches versus the original's 4.5 by 3.5 by 1.5). It carries forward the original's core functionality with no compromises while adding meaningfully improved headroom, a 107.9dB signal-to-noise ratio and 0.03% distortion at 27V internal operation. It's aimed at players who valued the original ParaEQ's precise tonal control but wanted a smaller pedalboard footprint and better noise performance.
- noise
- headroom
- filter
- equalizer
- eq
- original
- smaller footprint
- better noise performance
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Empress ParaEQ MkII is commonly used in
- Alternative Rock
Amps that pair well with the Empress ParaEQ MkII
Marshall Origin 20 Combo
Marshall
22% matchRun Marshall Origin 20 Combo into that high headroom platform and it finally gets some crunchy
Blackstar HT20 Mk. II 20 Watt Combo
Blackstar
tonal matchBlackstar HT20 Mk. II 20 Watt Combo's high gain fills in what this high headroom tone doesn't make on its own
EVH Iconic 15W
Evh
tonal matchRun EVH Iconic 15W into that high headroom platform and it finally gets some high gain
Bogner Ecstasy Mini 30W
Bogner
tonal matchRun Bogner Ecstasy Mini 30W into that high headroom platform and it finally gets some high gain
Hiwatt Crunch 150R 112C
Hiwatt
tonal matchThe high headroom tone has headroom to spare — Hiwatt Crunch 150R 112C gives it medium gain to fill it with
Blackstar HTV40MK3 40 Watt
Blackstar
tonal matchBlackstar HTV40MK3 40 Watt's crunchy fills in what this high headroom tone doesn't make on its own
Ceriatone 2202H
Ceriatone
tonal matchCeriatone 2202H's high gain fills in what this high headroom tone doesn't make on its own
Peavey 6505 MH 20W Mini Head
Peavey
tonal matchPeavey 6505 MH 20W Mini Head's high gain fills in what this high headroom tone doesn't make on its own
Pedals that stack with the Empress ParaEQ MkII
Tone City Model B Distortion TC-T31
Tone City
23% matchThe high headroom tone has headroom to spare — Tone City Model B Distortion TC-T31 gives it high gain to fill it with
Fulltone OCD Obsessive Compulsive Drive
Fulltone
22% matchRun Fulltone OCD Obsessive Compulsive Drive into that high headroom platform and it finally gets some fuzzy
Binson Echorec Delay
Binson
9% matchBinson Echorec Delay's saturated voice goes after Empress ParaEQ MkII in the signal chain — it's not there to compete with Empress ParaEQ MkII's own high headroom character — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Vintage Echo
TC Electronic
8% matchKeep TC Electronic Alter Ego V2 Vintage Echo after Empress ParaEQ MkII in the signal chain, clear of Empress ParaEQ MkII's own gain stage — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2
Dr Scientist
tonal matchRun Dr. Scientist Frazz Dazzler V2 into that high headroom platform and it finally gets some fuzzy
Electro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes
Electro-Harmonix
tonal matchElectro-Harmonix EH-1335/EH-3075 Hot Tubes's own voicing points at a clean amp's front end, and Empress ParaEQ MkII delivers it
Boss OD-3 Overdrive
Boss
tonal matchInto Empress ParaEQ MkII, Boss OD-3 Overdrive is right at home: it's built around a clean amp's front end
Cusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz
Cusack Music
tonal matchCusack Music Carolina Reaper Overdrive Fuzz's high gain fills in what this high headroom tone doesn't make on its own
Cheaper alternatives
Boss GE-7 Equalizer
Boss
65% similarityShared character: filter, noise, guitar
CNZ Audio GEQ-5
Cnz Audio
64% similarityShared character: headroom
Artec SE-EQ8 Graphic Equalizer
Artec
61% similarityShared character: guitar
Cordovox EQ-7
Cordovox
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Ibanez Pentatone Equalizer
Ibanez
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Alchemy Audio HBE Detox EQ
Alchemy Audio
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Emma DiscomBOBulator
pedal
66% similarityShared character: filter, noise, headroom
Chaos Custom Shop Sub Sonic Filter
Chaos Custom Shop
65% similarityShared character: filter, headroom
Empress Para EQ DLX
Empress
64% similarityShared character: filter, noise, headroom
Source Audio Toolblox Programmable EQ
Source Audio
62% similarityShared character: filter, guitar
Vintage VFX10
Vintage Sound
62% similarityShared character: gain_control, noise
Old Blood Noise Endeavors 3 Band EQ
Old Blood Noise Endeavors
92% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Empress ParaEQ MkII (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Empress ParaEQ MkII?+
The closest matches in character are the Emma DiscomBOBulator, the Chaos Custom Shop Sub Sonic Filter, the Empress Para EQ DLX. Budget picks: Boss GE-7 Equalizer, CNZ Audio GEQ-5, Artec SE-EQ8 Graphic Equalizer. Boutique upgrades: Carl Martin 3 Band Parametric EQ.
What pairs well with the Empress ParaEQ MkII?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Marshall Origin 20 Combo, Blackstar HT20 Mk. II 20 Watt Combo, EVH Iconic 15W — Run Marshall Origin 20 Combo into that high headroom platform and it finally gets some crunchy.
How much does the Empress ParaEQ MkII cost?+
Around $249 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).