Boss Katana vs Positive Grid Spark – What’s the Better Amp?

For this head-to-head comparison, I'm pitting two of the hottest guitar modeling amps on the block against each other. 

First, we have the robust Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 and then the sleek Positive Grid Spark 2. From build quality to tone, effects, and smart features, I'm going to scrutinize them in every aspect to see which one will work best for your needs.

Apart from playing around with both the amps extensively, I've also scoured the web for user reviews and community support to give you a comprehensive view of both amps. The goal here? To help you make an informed decision if you're caught in the crossfire of choosing between these two power-packed contenders.

Let's dive into this sonic showdown! Remember, it's not just about the best amp, but the best amp for you. Let's roll!

Build Quality and Design

The Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 is a veritable beast in terms of build quality. This combo amp's traditional construction felt solid and hard-wearing the moment I laid my hands on it.

The traditional, rugged, design of this amp can handle knocks or drops, ideal for intense gigs and travel. To make room for this durability, it carries a bit of heft, tipping the scales at nearly 12kg (over 25lbs).

At just half the weight of the Katana, the Positive Grid Spark 2 amp is a true featherweight contender. It's as compact as they come, making it a breeze to lug around. You won't be breaking a sweat carrying this baby to your next jam!

Its design is sleek and modern, so it wouldn't look out-of-place even in your living room. But, everything has a trade-off, right? The Spark's lightweight design might not fare as well in a face-off with tough handling or accidental drops compared to its Katana counterpart.

Tone and Sound Quality

Katana

Plugging into the Katana 50 Gen 3, I found this modeling amp to be the Swiss army knife of tone. It was easy to emulate Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Albert Collins, and Dave Gilmour directly from the Boss Tone Exchange.

This quick tone functionality has really paid off in my ‘80s/’90s cover band, allowing me to quickly dial in the correct tone for a large quantity of our setlists.

The sound quality is top-notch and is clear even at maximum volume due to the 12” speaker and heavy cabinet. However, I felt it favors the brighter side of tones. So, if you're a fan of warmer, bass-heavy sounds, it might not fully hit the mark.

The Katana Gen 2 had 5 types of very believable amplifiers that went from acoustic to lead. Well, this new amp adds another model that was deeply missed, especially in times like these. Yes, long gone are the days when roadies carried full stacks onto the stage for crowds to roar. We live in the combo age.

The new amp model added is called Pushed and is a recreation of the character and touch-responsive audio you can get from a pushed combo valve amp. The drive and the flapping of a small speaker in an open-back cabinet is nothing like playing through a stack. It’s more responsive and midrangey without so much compression.

For someone who loves to play through his Deluxe Reverb on 8, this was a great addition; they really nailed the experience besides the tone. Speaking of which, exclusively for the Gen 3 head and Artist Gen 3, the Bloom switch gives the amp a sharper attack while enhancing the low end.

This is hard to achieve but is one of those things that tube amps do that make carrying the extra load worth it. Well, with that switch on, Boss got very close to the real deal.

The key is that you get that punchiness and razor-like mid-highs at any volume.

That’s only what comes through the amp’s speaker. You can also use this amp with headphones and its USB-C outlet to go straight into the computer. I don’t know if you’re familiar with Impulse Response Technology (or simply IR). It has propelled brands like Neural and Fractal to the forefront of the music industry.

This technology allowed these companies to “capture” the sound of legendary amplifiers and player favorites so they could take them on the road without compromising the real deal.

Well, the new Boss Katana Gen 3 adds this groundbreaking technology for the headphones as well as the USB-C direct-to-computer recording outlet.

I tried it with a pair of good cans, the ones I use in my home studio, and, believe me, you can really get lost for hours playing to that immersive tone. It’s very believable. The same goes for straight recording.

Another great feature that’s common to the entire line is the Stereo Expand feature. This allows you to connect your amplifier to another Katana, run true stereo effects, and make the audience lose it completely. Yes, you can take that Pink Floyd cover band to the next level.

I don’t have to tell you anything about the quality of Boss effects, do I?

Spark

The Spark proved very accomplished at reproducing a multitude of iconic guitar amp tones. Some that I enjoyed noodling with included Santana, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and James Hetfield.

It also did a great job of amplifying my PRS SE Paul's natural voice, getting the most out of the tonal variety offered by the twin coil-tapped humbuckers.

But, like all things in life, it's not perfect. In the outgoing model, I detected a slight digital hint to the sound, particularly at higher volumes. But this is now almost unnoticeable with the Spark 2.

The recently released Spark 2 looks almost identical to the Spark 1, but the company hid a huge overhaul under the hood.

It used the same four-inch speakers but set each of them at an angle along with a pair of custom, angled horns. What’s the result of this change? The time-based and modulation effects suddenly have a different depth.

I can tell you that the couch experience is drastically improved. My family is happy that I can create some believable sonic landscapes full of lush delays and reverbs and it all sounds immersive. They still complain about me playing leads over that, but that’s a different story.

Also, the bass reflex ports were duplicated. The addition of the second one gives the amp more perceived depth that translates into headroom to accommodate the extra 10 watts added to the power section. No, I don’t boast 50 watts worth of guitar-playing mayhem on the fam, but it comes in handy when you’re playing with someone else.

Finally, there are improvements in the connectivity area with the addition of WiFi (so you can get firmware updates even without connecting to a computer), USB type-C instead of type-B, Bluetooth 5.0 (low latency!), and stereo line outs (finally!).

Effects and Stomping

The Boss Katana 50 is a genuine joy for any effects aficionado like myself (Vernon Reid is my hero!). Picture having over 60 of Boss' world-famous stompboxes, all tucked inside this unit.

Boss is the most popular stompbox manufacturer for good reason, and this amp delivers that quality in spades. This gave me the freedom to layer multiple effects at once, opening up a world of tonal possibilities. I enjoyed the physical inputs for tweaking on the amp rather than opening my laptop for every nudge of a control.

Add to this the 5-button pedal board options and up to two expression pedals and this really is an all-in-one package. I did like the need to not have to carry and patch separate pedals for each gig.

Switching over to the Positive Grid Spark, I found this nifty desktop amp to be no slouch in the effects department either. It comes with 33 amps and 43 effects (the same you got with the Spark 1) but everything has been overhauled into HD.

Well, what does it mean? It means that the resolution of the modeling technology used to imitate the real thing was improved. So, without so much technical mumbo jumbo, it sounds more real and better.

I played everything from Tame-Impala-inspired complex chords and soundscapes to full-on James Hetfield in the ‘90s (the fam wasn’t too happy about that part) and the Spark made a perfect impression of everything in that broad sound palette.

Well, I even dared to do some chicken pickin’ (I’m working on my country chops) and that percussiveness you need along with the twang, the reverb, and the slapback were all right there too.

App Integration and Smart Features

The Katana linked up seamlessly, by USB, with the Boss Tone Studio app on my laptop. The desktop application is like a personal sound lab, affording me the flexibility to fine-tune my tone to the nth degree. I dug deep into the editing, customized presets, and even accessed additional effects exclusive to the software. 

It's an impressive tool that turns your amp into a sound playground.

One of the main shortcomings of the last version of this amp was that to use the Boss Tone Studio, you had to go via USB into your laptop. Yes, believe it or not, laptops are a species on the brink of extinction. So, it was nonsense that Boss would continue to think all of us guitar players “just happened to have our laptops in the rehearsal room”.

Well, because of the addition of Bluetooth connectivity in every model, you can now control many aspects of your Katana Gen 3 with your smartphone. Believe me, this is something that can be a deal-maker or a deal-breaker since the app allows you to tweak many things easily.

Oh, and if you do happen to have a laptop around and connect it, the UI has been improved drastically and you can now even upload a JPEG file of your favorite pedal.

Moving over to the Spark 2, it truly stands out with its intelligent Smart Jam and auto chord features. These set the Positive Grid Spark apart as a practice amp. It's like having a backing band and guitar teacher at your disposal, capable of generating tracks based on your playing style. 

To add to its charm, the Spark app is mobile-friendly. That said, be prepared to spend some quality time with the app. It's packed with features and might require a little patience to navigate initially.

One of the features I enjoyed the most was that Positive Grid added an AI-powered tool for you to stop browsing so much and start playing more. Yes, you can just tell the AI Spark feature what kind of tone you’re looking for and it will dial it in for you. But that’s not all, because it’ll give you four options for you to choose the one that’s closer to the sound you hear in your head.

Even if none does the job, you get very close. This means you need to make a minimal time investment in tone searching and can be playing for longer.

I asked for a “David Gilmour lead tone” and the result was fuzz, delay, and a reverb. That’s close enough, right David?

Versatility and “Giggability”

This Boss Katana 50 is a real chameleon. It gracefully adapts to a range of musical styles, offering a smorgasbord of tones to suit your mood. This amplifier's sturdy build and dependable performance make it a true road warrior. I felt confident using it in many gigging environments. 

The power switch allows you to tame this amp to 0.5W, 25W and 50W. It also includes a headphone out so you can enjoy this at home without receiving a call from the authorities. As soon as you plug in your headphones, the speaker goes silent.

If you're a regular gig player with diverse tonal needs, the Katana will really win out. Do note that, if you are serious about gigging, you might prefer to look at the 100W variant of the Katana.

But that’s not all, because the Artist version of this amplifier packs a great feature for the gigging guitarist. Sometimes, you get to the venue and the PA is so lousy you just want to crank your amp and let people enjoy your guitar tone. Other times, if you’re luckier, there is a great PA system. In those cases, having a balanced out to go straight into the mixer can save the night.

You won’t have a microphone stand right behind you and you won’t get into the good-old volume argument with the sound engineer but will still sound great. Well, the Katana Artist has an XLR out with ground lift while the rest of the line packs a TRS-ready line out.

The original Positive Grid Spark used to shine brightest in a home environment. It's a perfect tool for practice and recording sessions as they've packed the Spark full of smart features designed to enhance your playing experience.

However, after the release of the updated model, it has certainly improved in the giggability department. One key reason is that they've finally included stereo line-outs, something that was badly missed on the outgoing model.

The lightweight design and compact size makes it easy to carry and set up. While this amp is versatile and super smart, it doesn't pack enough punch to gig in anything but smaller, intimate venues. The older model used to demonstrate its weaknesses as a guitar amp when dialed up to serious volumes. Again, they've worked on this area in the newer generation of this amp (promising 25% more loudness), so now it's not as bad as the Spark 1 (40w).

Positive Grid seem to be actually confident in the gigging abilities of the Spark 2, so much so that they're now even selling a gig bundle of the Spark 2, complete with a footswitch, battery pack, carrying bag and a wireless guitar system.

Finally, if you're really interested in gigging more than practicing, I would still recommend going with the Spark Live instead (just like I recommend going with the Katana Artist Amp instead of the 50 for that same use case).

The Spark 2 does pack two features that the Katana doesn’t. That, depending on your plans for your new amplifier, could push your decision toward the Positive Grid model.

Firstly, the Spark 2 could answer the question: “Sir, would you like your Spark to go?” Well, if your answer is yes because you’re a busker or a street musician of some kind or just want to take your amp to the park to hang out with your musician friends you can get a battery for your Spark 2. It comes as an additional accessory (not included with your purchase) but the amp itself has a slot where you can install it.

Secondly, the Spark 2 comes with a built-in looper. Well, let me just correct that statement, the Spark 2 has not only one but two loopers you can play with.

The first looper is the one that works just like any other looper in the market, allowing you to record infinite layers of up to 60 seconds of material. So, you can create tunes on the fly using layers of playing. For example, if you know a little about chords and engage the 3D-like time-based effects, you can create lush and beautiful soundscapes with just your guitar.

Yes, the family loved this feature, especially as I was trying it out on the living room couch.

But things get even more interesting when you engage the Groove Looper. This is a looper that allows you to play with world-class drummers. You have uncanny control over dozens of rhythmic patterns in any style you can think of. And if the drummer gets too loud and hurts your ego, don’t worry, this is not band practice, you’re in control. There’s a dedicated mixer for your guitar’s volume and the drummer’s volume.

You can set up the tempo and the style, and, most importantly, tell the thing when to stop or play softer. I had HOURS of fun playing with this feature. I have a Mikey Way Mustang Bass so I even added some bass parts to my playing.

Positive Grid invested big in this feature and the results are phenomenal.

So, if you want your amp to play solo shows or to hang out with friends in open spaces, there are no doubts about the Spark 2’s features being more important than the Katana’s for that kind of scenario.

Community and Support

The Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 comes with an incredibly supportive community of users from around the globe. They're always keen to share their experiences, pro tips, and custom tones online. 

It feels like being part of an international music club where you can continually learn and develop alongside fellow Katana users. Accessing and loading these shared tones into the amp is a breeze, opening up a vast landscape of tonal opportunities. It's all about experimentation and finding that perfect sound.

Shifting focus to the Positive Grid Spark 2, a growing community of dedicated musicians supports this amp, always ready to share their bespoke settings and tones. I found the process straightforward and intuitive, giving me a creative and exploratory environment that was easy to work in.

Which Amp Should You Choose?

Choosing between the Boss Katana 50 and Positive Grid Spark? It's been no straightforward task! Both amps are solid performers and budget wise there is little to separate them.

Remember, each amp has its pros and cons. The Boss Katana 50 is sturdy but slightly heavy. Conversely, the Positive Grid Spark is compact and lightweight, but might not be as robust. 

The Boss Katana 50 offers an extensive tonal palette but leans toward brighter sounds. The Spark reproduces iconic amp tones but can sound slightly digital at high volumes.

I will come clean and let you know that I have been a happy owner of a Katana 100 MK2 for several years (of course, after trying the Gen 3 it’s going up for sale so I can get the new version!).

That said, having the Spark 2 for a week, I’ve fallen for it for home use. Since I practice more than I perform, it seems better suited and more focused on practice sessions.

Further Options

It would be remiss not to mention that both amp series have alternatives that provide options for budget and volume.

The Boss Katana ranges from a battery powered baby in the Katana Mini, all the way through to a serious gigging amp in the Katana Artist Gen 3 (available as an integrated amp or separate head/box combo).

The notable addition here has to be the Katana Air that is a direct response to the Spark range of amps as it features the new Boss Tone Studio phone app (Android and iPhone).

Our other contender has baby options too including the Spark Mini and Spark Go. The Spark Go is nearly essential for every guitarist as it will fit into the pocket on most guitar gig bags, giving you access to the Spark App functionality on the move.