KATANA-AIR EX is the higher model of BOSS's desktop amp KATANA-AIR. While retaining BOSS's direct effects and high-quality wireless, it improves sound quality. By equipping a wooden cabinet and a relatively large 5-inch speaker for a desktop amp, it achieves a rich and dynamic sound equivalent to the KATANA amp.
If the wireless is connected to the main unit, it can be charged, so you can play as soon as you think of it. This will increase the frequency of practice and lead to improvement.
Furthermore, foot switches and expression pedals can be connected wirelessly, and there is also a rechargeable battery option. If you get everything, it will exceed $1,000. The YAMAHA THR can easily produce a clear sound. KATANA-AIR EX is good for those who want to try sound-making with BOSS effects.
Pros
35W Output, Wooden Cabinet, and 5-inch Speaker for Authentic Guitar Amp Sound
5 Amp Types Suitable for All Genres
Over 60 BOSS Effects
Built-in Guitar Wireless Without Charging Hassles
Bluetooth App for Operation and Automatic Tone-Switching
Wireless Switch for Tone Switching
Cons
Fewer Amp Types Compared to Other Brands
Many Optional Items, Making It Expensive to Use All Features
For those who love the sound of BOSS but weren’t satisfied with the speaker sound of KATANA-AIR, or are wondering if YAMAHA THR30II Wireless is better, Yosh (@Yosh_Guitar), a former musical instrument store clerk, reviews the merits and demerits of KATANA-AIR EX. It compares the differences with the regular KATANA-AIR and YAMAHA THR30II Wireless.
Pros of KATANA-AIR EX
35W Output, Wooden Cabinet, and 5-inch Speaker for Authentic Guitar Amp Sound
KATANA-AIR EX, despite being a desktop amp, delivers a genuine guitar amp sound. It features a dedicated wooden cabinet with two 5-inch custom speakers. It dynamically responds to the player’s touch, allowing you to experience the rich resonance of a stage amp cabinet. There’s no need to worry about the common issues with mini amps, such as lack of depth, weak bass, or distorted sound.
5 Amp Types Suitable for All Genres
It comes equipped with five amp types inherited from the highly acclaimed KATANA AMP series. These have been specially tuned considering the compatibility with the cabinet and speaker, offering ideal high-gain sounds like BROWN and clear, transparent sounds like CLEAN.
Additionally, the ACOUSTIC/BASS type provides a flat characteristic sound suitable for electric acoustic guitars and basses. This ensures that players can achieve a wide range of tones regardless of the genre.
Over 60 BOSS Effects
The amp incorporates over six decades of BOSS’s effect technology, embedding more than 60 effects. From expanding distortion sounds with overdrives and boosters to modulations, delays, and reverbs that utilize the stereo speakers, a plethora of effects are available. Depending on the genre and playing style, you can craft your unique tone. Moreover, you can save up to six settings on the device, allowing you to instantly recall your favorite setups.
Even for home practice, having wireless can lead to improvement. The absence of cables not only tidies up the room but also enhances concentration.
The included transmitter can be connected to the guitar, enabling wireless play immediately. This wireless technology is unique to BOSS, achieving low latency and high-quality guitar sound.
The transmitter can be charged by simply connecting it to the amp, offering up to 12 hours of use on a single charge. This means it’s always ready to play. Pairing automatically selects the most stable line, so no special settings or efforts are required.
If you pause your performance, the amp switches to standby mode. When you pick up the guitar again, the transmitter detects the vibration and automatically turns the power ON, allowing you to play without any hassle.
Bluetooth App for Operation and Automatic Tone-Switching
By connecting to an iOS/Android device via Bluetooth, you can use the dedicated app, BOSS TONE STUDIO for KATANA-AIR, for detailed tone crafting and efficient practice.
This app not only allows tone editing but also offers various features useful for practice, such as creating song lists from YouTube content and setting repeat playback points.
Especially when jamming along with YouTube videos, the app can automatically switch tones according to the song’s progression, allowing players to focus on their performance.
Three Types of Power Sources for Use Anywhere
The power source can be an AC adapter, eight AA batteries, or a rechargeable battery. The included adapter allows you to power the amp from a household outlet. For use in places without access to power, you can run the amp on eight AA batteries.
Additionally, using the separately sold rechargeable battery (Roland BTY-NIMH/A) enables long continuous use and, repeated use. These diverse power options ensure that you can play and practice in various situations, indoors or outdoors.
Wireless Switch for Tone Switching
By connecting the optional EV-1-WL MIDI Expression Pedal or FS-1-WL Wireless Footswitch via Bluetooth, you can wirelessly control the settings in the BOSS TONE STUDIO for KATANA-AIR app. This allows for operations like volume and wah pedal adjustments, patch up/down, effect ON/OFF, and using the app’s practice functions, all from your foot. While few desktop amps on the market offer external control, KATANA-AIR EX even makes the switch wireless.
Cons of KATANA-AIR EX
Fewer Amp Types Compared to Other Brands
While it offers a wide range of distortions from clean to high-gain, there are only five types of amps. Some digital amps from other brands offer multiple types just for clean sounds. If the amp character isn’t to your liking, you might need to spend more time crafting your tone.
Many Optional Items, Making It Expensive to Use All Features
While KATANA-AIR EX is already an attractive guitar amp with its basic features, to fully utilize all its functionalities and expandability, you’ll need to purchase additional footswitches and rechargeable batteries. Here are some specific prices:
KATANA-AIR EX main unit: $599.99
FS-1-WL Footswitch: $129.99
EV-1-WL Expression Pedal: $169.99
BTY-NIMH/A Rechargeable Battery: $129.99
Differences from KATANA-AIR
Feature
KATANA-AIR EX
KATANA-AIR
Market Price
$599.99
$429.99
Output
AC Adapter: 35W (17.5W+17.5W)<br>Battery: 20W (10W+10W)
AC Adapter: 30W (15W+15W)<br>Battery: 20W (10W+10W)
Speaker
12cm (5 inches) x 2
7.5cm (3 inches) x 2
Cabinet Material
Wooden
Plastic
Rechargeable Battery
Sold separately
None
External Switch
Separate wireless sale
None
Amp Types
5 types
5 types
Effect Types
Over 60 types
Over 50 types
Controls
POWER, Bluetooth, MASTER, AMPLIFIER (AMP TYPE, GAIN, VOLUME), EQUALIZER (BASS, MIDDLE, TREBLE), MULTI EFFECT (BST/MOD, DELAY/FX, TAP, REVERB), TONE SETTING (CH A, CH B, PANEL)
POWER, Bluetooth, MASTER, AMPLIFIER (AMP TYPE, GAIN, VOLUME), EQUALIZER (BASS, MIDDLE, TREBLE), MULTI EFFECT (BST/MOD, DELAY/FX, TAP, REVERB), TONE SETTING (CH A, CH B, PANEL)
Indicators
POWER, Bluetooth, Guitar Wireless, PANEL, CH A, CH B, BST/MOD, DELAY/FX, REVERB, TAP
POWER, Bluetooth, Guitar Wireless, PANEL, CH A, CH B, BST/MOD, DELAY/FX, REVERB, TAP
Connection Terminals
INPUT, AUX IN, PHONES, TRANSMITTER IN, LINE OUT (L/MONO, R), USB
INPUT, AUX IN, PHONES/REC OUT, TRANSMITTER IN, USB
Power Source
AC Adapter, AA Batteries x 8, Rechargeable Battery Pack (sold separately)
The main differences include a price difference of $170, cabinet material, speaker size, battery and switch options, and size and weight. In essence, the choice between “sound quality” and “external control” determines which one to choose.
Especially, the material of the cabinet and the size of the speaker directly affect the sound quality. KATANA-AIR EX offers a very natural sound, behaving more like a genuine guitar amp. The difference in bass richness and resolution is evident in certain videos.
Recommended for Those Who:
● Love the BOSS sound ● Want an amp with built-in wireless, but find the EX or YAMAHA over budget.
Comparison with YAMAHA THR30II Wireless
Feature
KATANA-AIR EX
YAMAHA THR30II Wireless
Market Price
$599.99
$549.99
Wireless
Included
$109.99
Rated Output
AC Adapter: 35W (17.5W+17.5W)<br>Battery: 20W (10W+10W)
INPUT, AUX IN, PHONES, TRANSMITTER IN, LINE OUT (L/MONO, R), USB, DC IN
INPUT, PHONES, AUX IN, USB, LINE OUT
Power Source
AC Adapter (DC13V), Alkaline Batteries (AA) x 8, NiMH Batteries (AA) x 8, Rechargeable Battery Pack (sold separately)
AC Adapter, Rechargeable Battery
Size
9.31” x 16.31” x 7.43” (414 x 192 x 236 mm)
7.68” x 16.4” x 6.1” (420 x 195 x 155 mm)
Weight
12.37 lbs. (5.6kg)
9.48 lbs. (4.3kg)
The main differences are:
Characteristics of the tone
Whether it’s used for instruments other than the guitar
Types of effects
Presence of external control
In terms of functionality, there’s hardly any difference. External control is possible with the YAMAHA THR if you use products from other companies. The ability to automatically switch tones while playing a YouTube video is exclusive to the BOSS app.
Next, let’s discuss the number of tones.
The YAMAHA offers a richer variety of amps, with three types for bass guitar and three types for acoustic instrument.
With the KATANA-AIR EX, both bass and acoustic are only available in flat mode, which feels bland compared to YAMAHA.
On the other hand, the KATANA-AIR EX offers a wider variety of effects. It includes many popular classic effects like BOSS’s Blues Driver, Centaur, and Big Muff. As for the acoustic tone, improvements seem possible by utilizing the “AC.PROCESSOR” and equalizers.
Recommended for Those Who Choose YAMAHA THR30II Wireless:
Prefer a clear and well-balanced sound.
Want to use it for guitar, bass, and acoustic guitar.
Only need basic effects.
Want to choose from multiple amp distortions.
Recommended for Those Who Choose BOSS KATANA-AIR:
Love the BOSS sound.
Want to use a wide range of effects.
Use it only for guitar and not for bass or electric acoustic.
Find it cumbersome to use an effect board at home but want to switch tones with a footswitch.
Want everything to be wireless and avoid unnecessary stress.
Want to create an environment where sound can be produced immediately to make practicing more habitual.
