Guitar amps · owner-verdict comparison

Boss Katana-50 MkII vs Positive Grid Spark 2: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Boss Katana-50 MkII: 86% of 115 owners recommend it, vs 53% of 85 for the Positive Grid Spark 2.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Boss Katana-50 MkII

86%of 115 owners recommend
86% recommend · 6% neutral · 8% don't
Owners praise
  • Sounds fantastic with versatile, quality amp tones and effects
  • Incredible value for how cheap it is
  • Highly customizable via the Tone Studio software
Full owner report →

Positive Grid Spark 2

53%of 85 owners recommend
53% recommend · 18% neutral · 29% don't
Owners praise
  • Massive library of amp models and effects with near-endless tone options
  • Companion app and AI tone creation make dialing in sounds easy
  • Great for practice and jamming, including play-along backing tracks
Owners complain about
  • Buggy app and firmware, including the AI sometimes failing to load
  • Quality and hardware issues for some, like volume dropping out or dead units
  • Stock tones run bass-heavy and need EQ tweaking to clean up
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Boss Katana-50 MkII if
  • ✓Home players who turn it down to 0.5W
  • ✓Budget buyers wanting a versatile modeling amp
  • ✓Players running pedals into the clean channel
  • ✓Anyone needing a backup, loaner, or gig amp
Skip it if
  • Players who need a built-in effects loop
  • Anyone bothered by top-mounted control panel
Get the Positive Grid Spark 2 if
  • ✓Home practice players wanting endless app-driven tones
  • ✓Beginners learning with backing tracks and a looper
  • ✓Buyers who want a Bluetooth speaker and battery power too
  • ✓Tinkerers who enjoy dialing in custom tones
Skip it if
  • Loud band or gig use, where it can sound boxy
  • Players who dislike depending on the phone app

What Boss Katana-50 MkII owners say

“Boss nailed it with this amp.”
— @Esk8Tech on YouTube
“Really my best purchase ever”
— @088Noir on YouTube
“On the Katana, the 'lead' channel is too fizzy.”
— @valueofnothing2487 on YouTube

What Positive Grid Spark 2 owners say

“The Spark wins all around. Sonically, functionally, the form, the support... the whole ecosystem just works.”
— @ArmandoVegaTV on YouTube
“One can not describe the enormous sound of the Spark without being in the room with it, very amazing, I have let a lot players hear mine and they are genuinely impressed once they hear it in person.”
— @RandyRocker56 on YouTube
“the Spark 2 which had many issues that were eventually fixed through firmware updates... it clearly wasn't ready for prime time when it first rolled out their doors”
— SherbetUnusual199 on Reddit

Boss Katana-50 MkII vs Positive Grid Spark 2: frequently asked questions

Is the Boss Katana-50 MkII or the Positive Grid Spark 2 better?

Real owners lean toward the Boss Katana-50 MkII: 86% of 115 owners recommend it, vs 53% of 85 for the Positive Grid Spark 2.

Who should get the Boss Katana-50 MkII?

Owners point the Boss Katana-50 MkII at home players who turn it down to 0.5W, and budget buyers wanting a versatile modeling amp.

Who should get the Positive Grid Spark 2?

Owners point the Positive Grid Spark 2 at home practice players wanting endless app-driven tones, and beginners learning with backing tracks and a looper.