The katana may win in the ambient tone to department. However in a practice environment with the added drum machine, Bluetooth, USB port, included power supply, ability to run from a power bank, numerous effects and editing software makes it much more usable hands down. That bigger speaker and power of the katana is going to give it the edge in sound range and volume. Katana for overall tone nod and Nu-X for value and usability. 90% of the difference heard in this video would disappear under headphones or in direct recording IMO. After all no one would gig with either of these ... they are by design portable practice amps.
Yeah the NU-X went with two 2" speakers and the Kat has a single 4" and a larger size making the Kat a bit fuller sounding. I agree the NU-X sounds a bit boxy and small comapred.
Interesting, i thought the Boss generally sounded better at the clean and lower gain sounds, but as the upper OD/distortion settings and some eq tweaking, the NUX sounded good enough that the extra features (BT, app, etc.) might make that the one to choose.
I just bought the NUX but am probably going to get the Katana as well. My impressions are that the Katana sounds more transparent while the NUX sounds more compressed. I love the drum feature on the NUX. I have a basement studio with a bunch of amps, but I spend so much time in my home office upstairs that I have it set up with Line 6 Helix routed to a Line 6 PowerCab and a Mooer Preamp Live routed to a Trademark 60 PowerEngine; I spend a lot of time on guitar in my office, and prefer recording there because I have a ton of monitor real estate as well as a Mac Pro.. But the appeal of having a small battery-powered amp is being able to use it in other rooms (like the family room, where I keep my MacBook Pro 16. Also, I LIKE recording with small amps mic'd. I had an original Pignose back in '74 and it was great for recording. Guitar Player recently featured an article on the Layla album reporting that Duane and Eric mostly alternated between a Pignose and a tweed Champ for almost the entire album.
The Kat is better sounding all over but I’m definitely getting the Nux as I prefer the the Blue Tooth and app options. Also I would be using it for Headphones only. It’s definitely on My list. 👍
I've owned the Fly and the Katana. Just pulled the trigger on the NU-X. It seems to offer the high gain tones of the Katana, in the same compact package as the Fly. The bluetooth and app options sealed the deal.
without this vs we know that the Katana has higher wattage, bigger box and more experiences in amp making. Everything happaned according to our expectations. But I still bought the small NUX (size matters) and have the Katana 50
Interesting... For me.. the Boss Katana seemed to sound Fuller and cleaner to me. Thanks for doing the comparison video Landon. Saves me some cash!! 😀😉
They're both good. I think either would influence the way you play in slightly different ways. But the katana has a lot more clarity & would probably therefore be a lil more versatile with gain stacking & pedals in general
I have the Katana Mini and like the sounds and effects. I play mostly a Tele with no additional pedals and it suits my needs as a slightly advanced "beginner". But I will research the NuX a bit more because of the BT and other features.
They both have their own sound, the Katana is inbetween Fender, marshal with acoustic characterisations. The NUX sounds muddy in a good way, ideal for grunge or indi. Neither have a neutral sound so may not be good at amp simulation, but the NUX has a BT app which the mini Katana does not have, but the Katana 50 has. Crazy world of guitar tone! Update The app is quite basic, compared to the default stuff on garageband ios. Better to buy 2 neutral speakers like spartan speakers, stereo with a decent guitar interface, then you have to access to much more tone surfing.
the good: Katana sounded more amp-like for the cleans but the Nux did better for the distorted tones. the bad: Nux sounded boxy with the clean tones and the Katana sounded woofy with the dirty tones. the ugly: I would have to try them in person to decide the best for me but I prefer the Katana for looks. Nux looks like a Bose speaker with knobs.
I own the Nu-X and I can say it is a little beast. It gives you an old school death metal tones on the red channel, which I get a lot of compliments on and even on the clean channel it sounds amazing. This video doesn't do it justice, in person, it sounds way better.
The sound of the katana is slightly better but as a traveling amp in a backpack it's still to big. Actually I have one. Perfect for caravan, camper van with a tiny pedal board added. Not for the business mens or backpackers in motels who want to noodle around and relax. It's seems in that case that the NU X paired with a light traveler guitar is a better choice. No need of a pedalboard because an application provides all effects necessary plus there's a drum machine and metronome included in the amp. If you add the Bluetooth and possibility of wireless connection to the guitar, it makes this amp the all in one traveler's companion ! Out of this comparison and for me the best sounding semi portable amps are still the Yamahas THR series for touch sensitivity. Plus they sound like hell with AKG K240 headphones and a tc electronic spark boost in the front. This was an advice for players who want to save their marriage! 😈😂 Cheers Landon and thanks for your vids !
Your stop motion is the bomb man. That opening was pure gold! This shootout easily goes to the Boss. Likely the size of the speaker cabinet has a lot to do with that. The Boss Sounds fuller, and makes the NU>X sound thin. For a Practice amp I'd Just spend a wee bit more and get either a Fender Mustang or a Marshall Code. For travel its hard to beat the good old headphone amp. Last think I want to sleep next to in my hotel is someone with one of these practice amps LOL
I would have liked to have heard the comparison without all the twiddling of the tone controls. In particular, there seemed to be a lot of turning the tone on the Nu>X to the left, where it would obviously sound muddier. Just set everything halfway and then do the tests through the looper.
the katana mini held up better overall.. that said, I just picked up a used vox mini5 for the price of that nux and it sounds great. it's got most of the same features plus a mic input.. tho one of my kids has sequestered it for use with a behringer xm8500 mic.. a bit larger than either of those but it's still portable and runs on batteries. perfect for vacations.
The boss has better deep tone, the nux has better high end tones, the nux has a nice crunch for being so small. I think it depends on what your style is. I like the deep tones with the boss. But if I was going to play some shred metal or something fast I'd pick the nux
Yeah, the Kat sounds a bit better, but the Nux has a drum machine, backing tracks, and a Bluetooth app that has more fx (tremolo, chorus, delay) and more settings that can be saved. For my purposes, I'm getting the Nux.
NUX is the winner in the category value = (portability + features + sound) / price Katana sounds slightly better here, but it has worse value for me. Also Boss processor alway have a special digital flavour (like Line 6 processors do). I can smell it here. So, I've just bought NUX :) Thanks for the review!
@Landon Bailey -- Thanks for an interesting comparison! I see you adjusting dials during the comparisons. What is considered 'flat' for these amps? That said, it sounds to me like the NUX has effects dialed in -- primarily distortion -- even in the clean channel comparisons. And when effects are on, they seem more dominant in the NUX.
I just bought a Nu-X. It was between this and and the Katana. The Katana definitely sounds better, but the features of Nu-X put it on top. Afterall, for me it's a practice amp, not a studio amp! If you're a busquer, maybe the Katana is your thing. Who knows, maybe I'll get both!
That opening stop animation you did there was awesome !! To me ... only at that 1 point when you where playing the rush fly by night was it .. did the nu-x sound better then the katana. Otherwise the Katana for its clairity did it for me. Im kinda shocked though that the katana didnt beat the nu-x out on sound level cause of its dual 6" speakers.
Based on this video, the Katana sounds fuller. Nux has more a more "boxy" sound. I prefer the Katana Mini in all phases but the Nux is still pretty darn good.
Boss speaker is a little bigger? My new NUX sounds great with the APP. You can add effects. Tremolo, Phaser etc..+ drum machine that's pretty decent. I have both and prefer NUX. I also use it more than my Spark because it's so easy and less fiddling. Boss is good though.
Differences in tone certainly, but the little Nux held it's own for something so small (and I'm assuming cheap). Both great little amps. Katana has delay. That could be the tipping point for some.
I’ve owned both. Firstly, both speakers sound pretty crap, but the Katana wins there. I would recommend using headphones for practice anyway. The Katana sounds better but is way bigger and lacks a lot of features the Nux has. High gain on the Katana suffers from no gate or OD. The reverb, gate, etc on the Nux can let you get more tones. It also has bluetooth, metronome, drums, etc. However, you’re going to need to use the app to get the most out of the Nux. I would recommend the Nux since it’s packed with features, is way smaller, is cheaper, and no one’s going to gig with either anyway.
I actually think they both have their pluses and minuses, but the Boss sounds more throaty. I have an Ammoon Pockamp and I like it. It's not as versatile as either of these, but it does what I want it to for half the cost of these.
@@jwjansen2 I donnow who you ask. If me, no. There was the sound of my NUX Bt and I recorded it with an old Lenovo smartphone. The singer sings into a small portable karaoke amp
Great Job. Absolutely one of the greatest comparison videos available. With what I'm using to listen to your video I prefer the Boss Mini way more than the Nux Mighty Lite. I was ready to purchase the Nuex from Amazon last night... all I would have had to do was push send, but I decided to wait for a day. I'm glad I did. The Nux mighty Lite sounds tinny to me. Thank you for all the effort you went to help your listeners. I just subscribed to your channel. Keep up the great work. Thank you
@@landonbailey They were good enough for Clapton to use on an album. Plus used by a few other big name artists back when they first came out. pignoseamps.com/product/legendary-7-100-portable-amp/
Having played all of those great mini amps over the years I'd love to see you review the Donner Cyclops. Thinking of picking one up for my daughter, but looking for more feedback. Lots of features, but not many direct comparisons with other mini amps.
NU-X for features but Katana all the way for tone. Any chance of doing a follow up video comparing what they sound as a direct out from the headphone jack?
I sold my Katana Mini. My “Grab ‘n go”/wee hours practice amp is now the Vox Pathfinder 10B. The Katana Mini is a great micro amp, but the Vox is a pure tone monster that’s great for guitar or bass.
Pretty well done comparison. However, I think you still could have given your opinion considering price and as an advice or something. You know, things like "A costs 60, B costs 80. A sounds Ok, B sounds better. If your ok with A and can't afford B then you'll be happy with A, but if you can afford B then I'd go for it." Yeah your right, in the end is what you like, but hey, if I can't afford what I like, will I still be happy with what I can afford or what? We can get easily lost in the sea of products or there. We're often ignorant so we look for guidance. Thanks for the comparison!
I just got the NU-X. After hearing the Boss I’m a little forlorn. But does it have all the functionality with phone and computer the NU-X has? I mean sound-wise, the Boss is killin’ it!
The Boss mini is very basic,www.boss.info/us/products/katana-mini/ you get delay and that's it! It does not have the ability to connect to a iphone and is not wireless so for functionality the NU-X destroys the Boss. While the Boss did sound fuller("better"?) the NU-X is the better choice IMHO. I own a Boss KAT 50 and think they are great amps but am going with the NU-X Mighty air because i need a smaller amp for travel.
@@Murphy_R9 so did I choose the same way. I have the Katana 50 too. But at home this Nux is ok. anyway maybe a speaker upgrade that someone wrote above can help , but it s not a must
NUX for size, bluetooth, Phone app capability, intergrated drums, Firmware upgrade capability, USB power capability, and comes with its own 9v power adapter. Sound is better on the Katana Mini, but that should be expected since it is physically a much larger box. For me the key was something that sounded good while practicing one the couch. Playing seriously requires a bigger amp.
Useful review, at least to me. I have the Katana mini, which I use with my stereo VXT for piezo pickup, other amp Katana Air. Dang that Nux is small! I'll stick with Katana mini, but for what it is and total shrimp size that Nux is impressive, tho choked sounding (what do we expect?)
Based on what I heard in this video I prefer the sound of the Boss Katana Mini. The NUX Mighty Lite BT has some advantages with some of its features. I always like the cool stop motion.
Lol I just found a comment on a Dawson's video on the Ibanez SA260 Saying something along the lines of "I think the boss Katana sounds clearer. Thanks for the comparison Landon." It was a Dawson's video on a single guitar with a guy named Tom 😂 maybe you should see it!
Katana is twice the size of NUX. And considering features NUX is much better and it's truly a mini amp which fits even in a laptop bag. If I am to go for a little big I will choose Vox mini5 over Katana mini. May be it is slightly bigger than the Katana but as it has a extra mic in, one can sing also while playing guitar with in built effects and 100 types of various beats. And it sounds better than the Katana mini.
Blackstar fly 3 is awesome but i sold it when i got a katana mini. Should have kept it as I'd take the fly 3 over the Nux. Hard to beat the Katana for the sounds u get at $99. At home i use the Marshall dsl 1 cr but to take somewhere like a hotel I use the Katana.
Nice test! This things are so deceiving. There are excelent reviews from both amps all over youtube. Here is clear that the Katana is the best quality sounding. But I've tried the Katana in a shop and it sounded like an awfull tin can. As soon as you raised the gain it started to sound like a broken speaker, not at all what every review stated. So tried them in a store before you buy. I finally went for the Joyo Zombie, that is not a mini-practice amp so to speak cause it has no speaker, but has an amazing valve sound and cost me half the price that the Katana was.
The problem with the Nux is not tone, it just sounds smaller, like it is coming from a way smaller amp, I have seen a few youtube videos with people saying the Nux is the best mini amp (endorsees maybe?) ever, I can't hear that, it sounds a bit fizzy too.
@@landonbailey No, I say it based on comparisons, especially this video, it sounds so much smaller, especially through my monitors. I'm still undecided, I have a tiny terror and thinking of a 1x12, but mini amps appeal to me as well. Anyways I think what anyone should aim for is the feel of a bigger amp with these minis, I've had a Fly3, it was impressive for its size, but as I did not use it much I sold it
They're both good. However I do think that the NUX sounds kinda muddy. Muddy, but controlled, good kind of muddy. Edit: The mini's sound has more definition to it.
hey there! I haven't tried headphones on any of these amps. that's a tough one to answer too because not all headphone drivers are created equal. sorry!
@@landonbailey yup i got u. Lets say im on clean mode (green), then i turned of the bluetooth. Only the green light should be lighting at thia time. But could you pls confirm it? Cause mine, after turning off the bl, the light for the delay turns on.
@@landonbailey I din't turn on the effects. Can you pls try it to your amp: while on clean mode, turn off the bl assuming that the dly/reverb knob is not on delay side but on reverb. On this case, aftwr turning off the bl, only the light for clean is on lit (green), bc on me, green and yellow(dlay) lights are on even thou the knob is pointed at reverb.
A marshall Plexie sounds boxier too because it has more mids which made it famous! Just like this little NUX! The tone and features with app separate the two maps here, the Katana does not even come close🥂
Tones: Katana
Features: Nux
Yup... Always seems to be the choice...
The katana may win in the ambient tone to department. However in a practice environment with the added drum machine, Bluetooth, USB port, included power supply, ability to run from a power bank, numerous effects and editing software makes it much more usable hands down. That bigger speaker and power of the katana is going to give it the edge in sound range and volume. Katana for overall tone nod and Nu-X for value and usability. 90% of the difference heard in this video would disappear under headphones or in direct recording IMO. After all no one would gig with either of these ... they are by design portable practice amps.
Perfect timing for this video, seems like most put NUX and Boss minis at the top of the list. Just ordered the Boss. Thanks for the comparison!
To my ears the Katana wins hands down! The NUX sounds like it is coming from a small box amp, which it is. Good comparison!
Yeah the NU-X went with two 2" speakers and the Kat has a single 4" and a larger size making the Kat a bit fuller sounding. I agree the NU-X sounds a bit boxy and small comapred.
would a cab be the fix or is it the wattage making sound like a box amp?
Interesting, i thought the Boss generally sounded better at the clean and lower gain sounds, but as the upper OD/distortion settings and some eq tweaking, the NUX sounded good enough that the extra features (BT, app, etc.) might make that the one to choose.
I own both. The Boss has a better sound quality but I end up playing the Nu-X most of the time. It’s a real good amp and so much fun.
I just bought the NUX but am probably going to get the Katana as well. My impressions are that the Katana sounds more transparent while the NUX sounds more compressed. I love the drum feature on the NUX. I have a basement studio with a bunch of amps, but I spend so much time in my home office upstairs that I have it set up with Line 6 Helix routed to a Line 6 PowerCab and a Mooer Preamp Live routed to a Trademark 60 PowerEngine; I spend a lot of time on guitar in my office, and prefer recording there because I have a ton of monitor real estate as well as a Mac Pro.. But the appeal of having a small battery-powered amp is being able to use it in other rooms (like the family room, where I keep my MacBook Pro 16. Also, I LIKE recording with small amps mic'd. I had an original Pignose back in '74 and it was great for recording. Guitar Player recently featured an article on the Layla album reporting that Duane and Eric mostly alternated between a Pignose and a tweed Champ for almost the entire album.
And both compared which one you find all in one good price wise etc?
The Kat is better sounding all over but I’m definitely getting the Nux as I prefer the the Blue Tooth and app options. Also I would be using it for Headphones only. It’s definitely on
My list. 👍
I've owned the Fly and the Katana. Just pulled the trigger on the NU-X. It seems to offer the high gain tones of the Katana, in the same compact package as the Fly. The bluetooth and app options sealed the deal.
oh nice! ya I think you'll see how the NUX can do highs a lot better than the Kat and Fly
without this vs we know that the Katana has higher wattage, bigger box and more experiences in amp making. Everything happaned according to our expectations. But I still bought the small NUX (size matters) and have the Katana 50
Excellent and professional review as usual. Still diggin' my Vox Mini3 G2 though.
Interesting... For me.. the Boss Katana seemed to sound Fuller and cleaner to me. Thanks for doing the comparison video Landon. Saves me some cash!! 😀😉
They're both good. I think either would influence the way you play in slightly different ways. But the katana has a lot more clarity & would probably therefore be a lil more versatile with gain stacking & pedals in general
I like the features of the NUX better, but the tone of the Katana wins out across the board for me. The NUX sounded thin.
I have the Katana Mini and like the sounds and effects. I play mostly a Tele with no additional pedals and it suits my needs as a slightly advanced "beginner". But I will research the NuX a bit more because of the BT and other features.
This comparison is exactly what I need, thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
They both have their own sound, the Katana is inbetween Fender, marshal with acoustic characterisations. The NUX sounds muddy in a good way, ideal for grunge or indi. Neither have a neutral sound so may not be good at amp simulation, but the NUX has a BT app which the mini Katana does not have, but the Katana 50 has. Crazy world of guitar tone!
Update
The app is quite basic, compared to the default stuff on garageband ios. Better to buy 2 neutral speakers like spartan speakers, stereo with a decent guitar interface, then you have to access to much more tone surfing.
I liked the Boss much, much better for clean tones. The more distortion that was added the more I liked the NUX.
the good: Katana sounded more amp-like for the cleans but the Nux did better for the distorted tones.
the bad: Nux sounded boxy with the clean tones and the Katana sounded woofy with the dirty tones.
the ugly: I would have to try them in person to decide the best for me but I prefer the Katana for looks.
Nux looks like a Bose speaker with knobs.
I own the Nu-X and I can say it is a little beast. It gives you an old school death metal tones on the red channel, which I get a lot of compliments on and even on the clean channel it sounds amazing. This video doesn't do it justice, in person, it sounds way better.
The sound of the katana is slightly better but as a traveling amp in a backpack it's still to big. Actually I have one. Perfect for caravan, camper van with a tiny pedal board added. Not for the business mens or backpackers in motels who want to noodle around and relax. It's seems in that case that the NU X paired with a light traveler guitar is a better choice. No need of a pedalboard because an application provides all effects necessary plus there's a drum machine and metronome included in the amp. If you add the Bluetooth and possibility of wireless connection to the guitar, it makes this amp the all in one traveler's companion ! Out of this comparison and for me the best sounding semi portable amps are still the Yamahas THR series for touch sensitivity. Plus they sound like hell with AKG K240 headphones and a tc electronic spark boost in the front. This was an advice for players who want to save their marriage! 😈😂 Cheers Landon and thanks for your vids !
Absolutely love the Katana, though the NUX has an interesting, warmer tone. Thanks for using a single coil and a humbucker while demoing!
My pleasure!
Your stop motion is the bomb man. That opening was pure gold!
This shootout easily goes to the Boss. Likely the size of the speaker cabinet has a lot to do with that. The Boss Sounds fuller, and makes the NU>X sound thin. For a Practice amp I'd Just spend a wee bit more and get either a Fender Mustang or a Marshall Code. For travel its hard to beat the good old headphone amp. Last think I want to sleep next to in my hotel is someone with one of these practice amps LOL
Oh hey thanks! That was a fun one to make. I never know how they will turn out. :)
The katana sounds more open and clear to me, thanks for the video 🤘🏻
cheers!
7 out of 8 times I'd go for the Katana but who knows,on the 8th day I might choose the NUX. Cool vid mate \m/
hey thanks!
I would have liked to have heard the comparison without all the twiddling of the tone controls. In particular, there seemed to be a lot of turning the tone on the Nu>X to the left, where it would obviously sound muddier. Just set everything halfway and then do the tests through the looper.
Glad that i watched this, i was looking at the Nux amp, but hearing them next to each other the Boss amp is miles better,
the katana mini held up better overall.. that said, I just picked up a used vox mini5 for the price of that nux and it sounds great. it's got most of the same features plus a mic input.. tho one of my kids has sequestered it for use with a behringer xm8500 mic.. a bit larger than either of those but it's still portable and runs on batteries. perfect for vacations.
Wanted to prefer the Nux before listening, but for me the Katana wins easily
👍🎸😊
Which did you like more?
Timestamps:
0:00 - Hello
1:42 - Clean Tones
3:46 - Crunch/Overdrive Tones
5:35 - Brown/Distortion Tones
7:40 - Goodbye
Boss Katana Mini
Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/k5ZdN
Amazon (US) amzn.to/332HFL1
Amazon (CA) amzn.to/2P2Ex9F
Thomann bit.ly/2C7yfCA
NUX Mighty Lite BT:
Amazon (US) amzn.to/3iVt1dM
Amazon (CA) amzn.to/2W4skCY
Amazon (UK) amzn.to/3jXzRil
Thomann: bit.ly/3gu0aLx
Lando27Music I prefer the Katana, to me the Nux sounds so compressed...
Both sound good, but I like the Nux fuller sound.
But, damn, they're loud!
Ya they are amazingly loud for their size :)
by far the Boss, no comparison!
The boss has better deep tone, the nux has better high end tones, the nux has a nice crunch for being so small. I think it depends on what your style is. I like the deep tones with the boss. But if I was going to play some shred metal or something fast I'd pick the nux
Yeah, the Kat sounds a bit better, but the Nux has a drum machine, backing tracks, and a Bluetooth app that has more fx (tremolo, chorus, delay) and more settings that can be saved. For my purposes, I'm getting the Nux.
NUX is the winner in the category value = (portability + features + sound) / price
Katana sounds slightly better here, but it has worse value for me. Also Boss processor alway have a special digital flavour (like Line 6 processors do). I can smell it here.
So, I've just bought NUX :)
Thanks for the review!
the nux sounds saturated horrible in distortion and overdrive sucks, the winner is the boss kata mini, the nux sounds saturated very horrible
Woah, thx for making this comparison man. You've got yourself a new subscriber
Awesome, thank you!
@Landon Bailey -- Thanks for an interesting comparison!
I see you adjusting dials during the comparisons. What is considered 'flat' for these amps?
That said, it sounds to me like the NUX has effects dialed in -- primarily distortion -- even in the clean channel comparisons.
And when effects are on, they seem more dominant in the NUX.
I don't remember anymore! 😛
@@landonbailey 😆 I know the feeling!
When we're in the middle of something, it all makes sense but after it's in the rearview mirror it's . . . gone!
I just bought a Nu-X. It was between this and and the Katana. The Katana definitely sounds better, but the features of Nu-X put it on top. Afterall, for me it's a practice amp, not a studio amp! If you're a busquer, maybe the Katana is your thing. Who knows, maybe I'll get both!
can't beat all the features on the NUX!
That opening stop animation you did there was awesome !! To me ... only at that 1 point when you where playing the rush fly by night was it .. did the nu-x sound better then the katana. Otherwise the Katana for its clairity did it for me.
Im kinda shocked though that the katana didnt beat the nu-x out on sound level cause of its dual 6" speakers.
thanks Terry! you have the specs wrong though, are you thinking of a Yamaha THR? the Kat has one 4" speaker
Based on this video, the Katana sounds fuller. Nux has more a more "boxy" sound. I prefer the Katana Mini in all phases but the Nux is still pretty darn good.
thanks or the feedback! cheers :)
Boss speaker is a little bigger? My new NUX sounds great with the APP. You can add effects. Tremolo, Phaser etc..+ drum machine that's pretty decent. I have both and prefer NUX. I also use it more than my Spark because it's so easy and less fiddling. Boss is good though.
Katana sounds more transparent. Thank you for this video. I was ready to purchase the NU X.
hey cool no problem!
Damn. Not for bass guitar?
no I don't think they recommend it
If you need a smaller speaker the Nux works.
Vs spark mini speaker?
Differences in tone certainly, but the little Nux held it's own for something so small (and I'm assuming cheap). Both great little amps. Katana has delay. That could be the tipping point for some.
Nux has delay and much more :)
I’ve owned both. Firstly, both speakers sound pretty crap, but the Katana wins there. I would recommend using headphones for practice anyway. The Katana sounds better but is way bigger and lacks a lot of features the Nux has. High gain on the Katana suffers from no gate or OD. The reverb, gate, etc on the Nux can let you get more tones. It also has bluetooth, metronome, drums, etc. However, you’re going to need to use the app to get the most out of the Nux.
I would recommend the Nux since it’s packed with features, is way smaller, is cheaper, and no one’s going to gig with either anyway.
I actually think they both have their pluses and minuses, but the Boss sounds more throaty. I have an Ammoon Pockamp and I like it. It's not as versatile as either of these, but it does what I want it to for half the cost of these.
I have d nux. It gives me a really good strat sound with my MIJ.
Hi. Did you know if there is a mic used? Or is this the real sound of the amps?
@@jwjansen2 I donnow who you ask. If me, no. There was the sound of my NUX Bt and I recorded it with an old Lenovo smartphone. The singer sings into a small portable karaoke amp
I own both. I gave the Katana to my kid. Kept the NUX for myself, the sound isn't really worse. I've got tube amps for making real sounds anyway.
🎸👍
I would consider using the Nux Might Lite as a bluetooth speaker. Currently, I am happy with my JBL Flip 5. Can it compare to it?
I have the NUX and when I record it sounds way better than the sounds you're getting!?
The nux sounded muffled on clean tones but the distortion sounded better on nux 😁
thanks for the opinion and feedback :)
I have the Katana mini, and I actually prefer it over my big amp. I've been playing the katana mini since I first got it a few days ago.
nice!
@@landonbailey Thanks. For the price it's a killer amp for it's size.
Was the app not available then it makes a big difference.
Great Job. Absolutely one of the greatest comparison videos available. With what I'm using to listen to your video I prefer the Boss Mini way more than the Nux Mighty Lite. I was ready to purchase the Nuex from Amazon last night... all I would have had to do was push send, but I decided to wait for a day. I'm glad I did. The Nux mighty Lite sounds tinny to me. Thank you for all the effort you went to help your listeners. I just subscribed to your channel. Keep up the great work. Thank you
hey thanks! appreciate the kind words and positive feedback!
I'd love to hear a comparison of some of the mini amps with the barebones Pignose amp using just the guitar controls for tonal variation.
hey cool idea! ya I've never come across a Pignose. I think it's the name that keeps me away. lol
@@landonbailey They were good enough for Clapton to use on an album. Plus used by a few other big name artists back when they first came out.
pignoseamps.com/product/legendary-7-100-portable-amp/
Would either of these sound good if an electronic drum set is hooked up to the amps?
I like the boss mini, thanks from Huntington WV thanks again
Thanks for the review. Have you (or anyone here) used either of these on an acoustic guitar? If so, what is your view?
I haven’t
Both really good amps...but I really like having 3-band EQ so I'm going to say the Boss Katana Mini. Plus, I already have it.
But the Nux have a lot of settings by app...
Which one is best for durability and sound?
Wich one its better for a beginner like me
Thank You!
both. neither. 😊
Having played all of those great mini amps over the years I'd love to see you review the Donner Cyclops. Thinking of picking one up for my daughter, but looking for more feedback. Lots of features, but not many direct comparisons with other mini amps.
NU-X for features but Katana all the way for tone. Any chance of doing a follow up video comparing what they sound as a direct out from the headphone jack?
oh hey thanks for the feedback! I'll keep the line out idea in mind for something in the future! take care 🎸👍
Nice intro! :D
Thanks! 😁
Nux has a variety of useful options however the built-in speaker is not good, too much treble/ lack of low end to my ears.
I sold my Katana Mini. My “Grab ‘n go”/wee hours practice amp is now the Vox Pathfinder 10B. The Katana Mini is a great micro amp, but the Vox is a pure tone monster that’s great for guitar or bass.
Pretty well done comparison. However, I think you still could have given your opinion considering price and as an advice or something. You know, things like "A costs 60, B costs 80. A sounds Ok, B sounds better. If your ok with A and can't afford B then you'll be happy with A, but if you can afford B then I'd go for it." Yeah your right, in the end is what you like, but hey, if I can't afford what I like, will I still be happy with what I can afford or what? We can get easily lost in the sea of products or there. We're often ignorant so we look for guidance. Thanks for the comparison!
I sold the NUX and I still own the katana mini. I prefer the simplicity
Go with the iconic brand that builds the toughest pedals ever made ...Boss
Katana ...NUX sounded generally a bit "boxy".
would a cab be the fix or is it the wattage making sound like a box amp?
I just got the NU-X. After hearing the Boss I’m a little forlorn. But does it have all the functionality with phone and computer the NU-X has? I mean sound-wise, the Boss is killin’ it!
The Boss mini is very basic,www.boss.info/us/products/katana-mini/
you get delay and that's it! It does not have the ability to connect to a iphone and is not wireless so for functionality the NU-X destroys the Boss. While the Boss did sound fuller("better"?) the NU-X is the better choice IMHO.
I own a Boss KAT 50 and think they are great amps but am going with the NU-X Mighty air because i need a smaller amp for travel.
@@Murphy_R9 so did I choose the same way. I have the Katana 50 too. But at home this Nux is ok. anyway maybe a speaker upgrade that someone wrote above can help , but it s
not a must
The Boss sounds better, for more money. The NUX with the low cost pedal of your choice or a bigger speaker is probably a better deal.
per the links he provided, the Katana is 10 dollars cheaper.
NUX for size, bluetooth, Phone app capability, intergrated drums, Firmware upgrade capability, USB power capability, and comes with its own 9v power adapter. Sound is better on the Katana Mini, but that should be expected since it is physically a much larger box. For me the key was something that sounded good while practicing one the couch. Playing seriously requires a bigger amp.
And Roland Cube Lite? Is good ? Better than Katana?
I hear they are great! I need to get a hold of one next year!
Katana much better. No contest.
Useful review, at least to me. I have the Katana mini, which I use with my stereo VXT for piezo pickup, other amp Katana Air. Dang that Nux is small! I'll stick with Katana mini, but for what it is and total shrimp size that Nux is impressive, tho choked sounding (what do we expect?)
I’m my opinion the boss sounds much better, but the bad part is it doesn’t have as many effects it really only has overdrive and distortion
"Tone is personal taste" EXACTLY!
I have a preference for the Katana.
Based on what I heard in this video I prefer the sound of the Boss Katana Mini. The NUX Mighty Lite BT has some advantages with some of its features. I always like the cool stop motion.
thanks Dale!
Lol I just found a comment on a Dawson's video on the Ibanez SA260 Saying something along the lines of "I think the boss Katana sounds clearer. Thanks for the comparison Landon." It was a Dawson's video on a single guitar with a guy named Tom 😂 maybe you should see it!
Hmm it looks like UA-cam is being buggy
Cool video Landon! Boss wins for me. No matter what by Badfinger is awesome.
love Badfinger!
Katana is twice the size of NUX. And considering features NUX is much better and it's truly a mini amp which fits even in a laptop bag. If I am to go for a little big I will choose Vox mini5 over Katana mini. May be it is slightly bigger than the Katana but as it has a extra mic in, one can sing also while playing guitar with in built effects and 100 types of various beats. And it sounds better than the Katana mini.
thanks for the feedback and opinions!
Clean- Katana, Distortion- Nux... talking into account the price, feature and size....Nux is better,hands down..
Blackstar fly 3 is awesome but i sold it when i got a katana mini. Should have kept it as I'd take the fly 3 over the Nux. Hard to beat the Katana for the sounds u get at $99. At home i use the Marshall dsl 1 cr but to take somewhere like a hotel I use the Katana.
Nice test! This things are so deceiving. There are excelent reviews from both amps all over youtube. Here is clear that the Katana is the best quality sounding. But I've tried the Katana in a shop and it sounded like an awfull tin can. As soon as you raised the gain it started to sound like a broken speaker, not at all what every review stated. So tried them in a store before you buy. I finally went for the Joyo Zombie, that is not a mini-practice amp so to speak cause it has no speaker, but has an amazing valve sound and cost me half the price that the Katana was.
The problem with the Nux is not tone, it just sounds smaller, like it is coming from a way smaller amp, I have seen a few youtube videos with people saying the Nux is the best mini amp (endorsees maybe?) ever, I can't hear that, it sounds a bit fizzy too.
have you tried one?
@@landonbailey No, I say it based on comparisons, especially this video, it sounds so much smaller, especially through my monitors. I'm still undecided, I have a tiny terror and thinking of a 1x12, but mini amps appeal to me as well. Anyways I think what anyone should aim for is the feel of a bigger amp with these minis, I've had a Fly3, it was impressive for its size, but as I did not use it much I sold it
Is the boss really considered a mini?
It's like twice the size athe other amp
ya it's pretty small
The NUX is the clear tone machine
The Boss sounded better, but the Nux price is better. What do you think?
They're both good. However I do think that the NUX sounds kinda muddy. Muddy, but controlled, good kind of muddy.
Edit: The mini's sound has more definition to it.
thanks for the opinion and feedback
@@landonbailey Thank you for the review Landon! Not all of us have access to awesome gear all at once! Your mini amp shootouts have helped so much.
Hello Landon,
Which one sounds.better in headphones? Thanks!
hey there! I haven't tried headphones on any of these amps. that's a tough one to answer too because not all headphone drivers are created equal. sorry!
7:07 whats the name of this song?
generic Final Cut Pro music 😊
Does the mini have good loud sound through headphones though ?? I’m thinking the mini and the Marshall mg10cf silver ?? What y’all think ?
May i ask something, if I turn off the bletooth, when it's turned off what light should light? Of course the bluelight of the bluetooth will turn off.
the bluetooth light will be off, and you should only see your channel light. (green or red or orange)
@@landonbailey yup i got u. Lets say im on clean mode (green), then i turned of the bluetooth. Only the green light should be lighting at thia time. But could you pls confirm it? Cause mine, after turning off the bl, the light for the delay turns on.
@@JohannesCardano I guess it depends of you are using an effects
@@landonbailey I din't turn on the effects. Can you pls try it to your amp: while on clean mode, turn off the bl assuming that the dly/reverb knob is not on delay side but on reverb.
On this case, aftwr turning off the bl, only the light for clean is on lit (green), bc on me, green and yellow(dlay) lights are on even thou the knob is pointed at reverb.
@@landonbailey What do you say sir? Thanks
Makes me wanna run and buy a Katana 50. Or get a Meloaudio TS!
A marshall Plexie sounds boxier too because it has more mids which made it famous! Just like this little NUX! The tone and features with app separate the two maps here, the Katana does not even come close🥂
I think the Nux needs a speaker upgrade.
what speaker can be used?
Can you stack effects on the Nux via the app? (E.g using reverb and tremelo)
yes you can stack them
Damn, how long did that intro take to make? i liked the video right when I saw that
oh hey thanks! ya that one took an hour or so I think.
I loved that stop motion and I personally like the boss katana banana 🍌👍👍👍🎸🎸🎸
thanks Barney!
Can you use the NUX only with the CHARGER? without batteries?
yes. there's a Usb power option. so you can power through a usb cable and not need batteries
BOSS, all the way. Besides - they hold their value because Roland stuff is bulletproof.
Use them both
Wet dry !