Xploration • Curation • Recommendation
The Boss Katana 50 and 100 Modelling Amps finally have a serious challenger courtesy of the brand new Positive Grid Reactor 50 and 100 Amps
Key Points
Positive Grid Reactor 50/100 challenge Boss Katana 50 EX/100. Prices: Katana 50 EX $399.99, 100 $449.99; GA‑FC EX $164.99; Bluetooth adapter $49.99. Reactor 50 $349.00, 100 $449.00; Reactor Control $149.00; Bluetooth built‑in.
Both share similar controls and ports. Katana features Tube Logic, 6 amp characters, 5 effect sections and Power Control. Reactor adds Reactor App, Reactor Control wireless footswitch, USB‑C, BIAS X engine and Agentic AI/Creator Hub (Text/Audio/Picture to Tone).
Reactor undercuts Katana on price, adds AI tone generation; Katana retains legacy and gig‑ready reputation. The article recommends Reactor 50 for practice‑amp buyers; 100W choice depends on gigging needs.
This is an object lesson in Product Design, Smart Marketing and Precision Segment Targeting. I don’t think anyone has had a better stab at the Boss Katana Amps juggernaut (particularly Katana 50 and 100), than Positive Grid has with its new Reactor Amps. It’s grabbed and processed the Boss formula to a large degree and come up with its own distinct and high-quality eye-catching amp designs - with some distinct objective improvements.
For instance both the Reactor 50 and 100 have the exact same control interface and can use the exact same ’Reactor Control’ remote footswitch - which happens to be bluetooth wireless too - that one is less than the equivalent Boss wired GA-FC EX or $149 versus Boss’s $164. For me the Reactor Control Footswitch is more attractive / appealing - with all those different coloured LED’s, and that soft grey / sandy background looks a lot more legible somehow than Boss’s white on Black aesthetic.
Positive Grid has definitely made some advances in ergonomics - in styling its control topology - which looks more welcoming and intuitive than the Boss one somehow at first glance - while activating and bypassing effects and function can be confusing at times too!
In terms of the key styling details - Boss has that cool ’K’ Katana insignia, which is matched by the Reactor’s stylised ’R’. The Amps are very similar sizes and very similar prices - with Positive Grid somewhat aggressively undercutting Boss in most respects - while I note that there are some discounts on some of those Boss Katana devices at Andertons in the UK.
The Boss Katana has established itself as the king of the practice amps - and perfect for small gigs for fledgling musicians. Up until the Positive Grid Reactor project - Boss was still significantly in the lead - with the chasing pack not really able to match the appeal and innovation of the Katanas. While Positive Grid has entered the fray with some significant Aces up its sleeve!
Note that I’ve selected the Boss Katana 50 EX instead of the base 50 unit - as that one can’t use the GE-FC EX Footswitch, and is lacking in a few of the Katana 100’s features. On the control topology - even the 50 EX is still missing the Presence knob from the 100 - while most everything else seems to be in place on the main control panel. For a fair and salient / equal comparison it made sense to select the 50-EX!
Sizes, Prices, Controls and Ports
SIZES & PRICES
[Pricing per Sweetwater]
BOSS KATANA
- 50 EX : 470mm W x 398mm H x 238mm D - $399.99
- 100 : 530mm W x 484mm H x 248mm D - $449.99
- Footswitch GA-FC EX : 392mm W x 81mm H x 49mm D - $164.99
- Bluetooth Adapter - $49.99!
POSITIVE GRID REACTOR
- 50 : 460mm W x 418mm H x 240mm D - $349.00
- 100 : 530mm W x 470mm H x 251 D - $449.00
- Footswitch Reactor Control : 163mm W x 91mm H x 55mm D - $149.00
- Bluetooth built-in!
RELATIVE CONTROLS & PORTS
Katana 100 Control Panel + GA-FC EX
Controls - AMPLIFIER : Variation, Amp Type : Acoustic / Clean / Pushed / Crunch / Lead / Brown, Gain, Volume | EQUALIZER : Contour, Bass, Middle, Treble | EFFECTS : Booster [ Mod, FX [ Delay, Tap, Reverb | TONE SETTING : CH1 / CH2 / CH3 / CH4 / Panel, Presence, Master, Solo : On/Off, Power Control : Standby / 0.5W / Half / Max, Cab Resonance : Vintage / Modern / Deep, Power : On/Off.
Ports - TOP } Input; REAR } AC In, FOOT CONTROL : GA-FX, EXP Pedal, USB-C / Stereo Rec Out, EFFECT LOOP : Return/Send, Stereo Expand Off/On, Power Amp In, Bluetooth pedestal, AUX In, Stereo Phones, Line Out.
Footswitch GA-FC EX (Wired) - EFFECTS } Booster, Mod, FX, Delay, Reverb, Effects / Function Switch; FUNCTION } CH1 / Booster Solo, CH2 / Pedal FX, CH3 / Loop, CH4 / Tap 1, PANEL / Tap 2, CH2 + CH3 = Control 1, CH3 + CH4 = Control 1&2, CH4 + PANEL = Control 2.
Read up more on the Boss Katana Series.
Reactor 50 & 100 Control Panel + Reactor Control
Controls - AMP [*AI] : Clean / Warm / Grit / Crunch / Hi-Gain / Extreme, ↑o↓ Smooth/Pushed, ↑o↓ Heat : Higher/Lower | Bank Switch [Hold for Tuner] 1 2 3 4 Select [Hold to Save] | Gain, Bass, Middle, Treble, Master | Tap | FX Select Press [Hold for On/Off] : Level for Gate / Comp / Drive / Mod / Delay / Reverb | Volume, Power : On/Off.
Ports - TOP } Input; REAR } AC In | FOOT CONTROL : MIDI In, Reactor Control | Power Amp : In | OUTPUT : Line Out, Headphones | Power Control : 100W / 25W / 1W | FX LOOP : Return, Send | Pair | USB - C (Audio / Data).
Bluetooth Footswitch Reactor Control - 1 / Drive, 2 / Delay, 3 / Gate, 4 / Comp, Battery + Amp + App LEDs, FX Loop / Mod [Hold for Tuner], Bank / Reverb [Hold for Mode].
Read up more on the Positive Grid Reactor Series.
Features and Advantages
Boss Katana 100 Key Features / Advantages
FEATURES
- Feature-packed gig-ready amplifier combo, equipped with 100W of gig-ready AB power and a full-range Waza 12-in. speaker
- Upgraded with evolved Tube Logic technology to deliver the most valve-like tone and feel possible
- 6 onboard amp characters to explore, from the new edge-of-breakup Pushed tone to Katana classics like Clean, Brown, Lead, Crunch, and Acoustic
- Each amplifier voice sports a single variation, adding up to a total of 12 amps to choose from
- 5 independent effects sections supply you with myriad reverb, delay, and modulation options
- Optional BOSS BT-Dual Bluetooth Audio MIDI Dual Adapter available separately, offering wireless access to the Katana’s editing and streaming capabilities
- Extensive EQ options include a 3-band EQ, 3-way contour switch, Presence control, and 3 Global EQ options
- 3 cabinet resonance options impart a sense of lifelike depth to your tone
- Power Control scales down your amp’s output to achieve cranked tones at manageable volumes
- Stereo Expand makes linking up a 2nd Katana amp for sweet stereo sounds a breeze
- Effects loop accommodates all your favorite outboard effects
- Cab sim-equipped stereo headphone jack, 1/4-in. line out, and USB out
- 3 Air Feel options to fine-tune your cab sim sounds
- Gen 3 upgraded BOSS Tone Studio sports an enhanced UI, improved editing tools, and much more
ADVANTAGES
- 6 Year Legacy of Katana Innovation, 3 Major Generations
- Modelling Amp Market Leader
- Robust and Reliable Gig-Ready Reputation
- Boss has been around since 1973 and has a unique record of innovation in Musical Devices
Positive Grid Reactor 100 Key Features & Advantages
FEATURES
- 100W modeling amp with 8 recallable presets, USB-C audio interface, and AI-powered tone creation
- 6 stages of amp gain with Push-Smooth and Heat switches to dial in and refine your tone
- 12-in. custom-voiced speaker faithfully emits a wide frequency spectrum
- Intuitive control set lets you dial in your ideal sound with ease
- 6 built-in FX — Gate, Compression, Drive, Modulation, Delay, and Reverb — with Tap Tempo add color to your tone
- Reactor App offers access to parameter control, tone creation, and preset sharing within the Positive Grid community
- Agentic AI-powered DSP constructs amp models at the component level with exacting precision based on text, audio, or image input
- BIAS X engine and AI-powered Amp Intelligence deliver tube-like touch sensitivity
- External FX Loop accepts your favuorite stompboxes or multi-FX units
- 100W/25W/1W power selection keeps your cranked sound intact at bedroom levels
- Line Out and Headphone Out for versatile performance and practice
- Remote control available via MIDI or the Reactor Control pedal (sold separately)
ADVANTAGES
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Better Price
- Prettier and more contemporary App Ecosystem
- Positive Grid & IK Multimedia / Amplitude pretty much pioneered the Effects Plugin Sector and default
- interfaces - now copied by all - including Fender Tone Master
- More potent App AI - Creator Hub : Text to Tone / Audio to Tone / Picture to Tone
Final Verdicts!
Boss has a first mover advantage here, with more sales outlets globally, while Positive Grid have leap-frogged them in certain areas of innovation - particularly with the AI-prompted Tone Generation - that is going to be a major selling point for many.
It doesn't really threaten my Gen 3 Artist Katana 100 - with front-facing control panel - and more granularity. So it's not going to directly impact my ecosystem as such. My Lava Music Practice Amp is getting a further update any day now - with supposedly AI-Prompt based Tone Generation too - like Positive Grid's Creator Hub. While Positive Grid has more directly gone after the Boss Katana 100 and 50 / 50 EX very specifically.
If I were thinking of buying my first practice amp - particularly at the 50W level - the Reactor 50 has all kinds of advantages.
I always thought it was a mistake for Boss not to build Bluetooth into its amps - I was sure a competitor - and many have now - would include that as stock. So the relatively similarly pricing for the 100's is further skewed by the fact that you need to pay out $50 for the Boss Bluetooth Adapter.
I think Boss may still have advantages for the Katana 100 in particular as a reliable giggling amp - that's already a well known and well-used quantity.
There are so many core similarities here - with parity on almost every aspect of these amps - for instance Boss's Tube Logic vs Positive Grid's Amp Intelligence. While the Text / Audio / Picture : Tone Generation of Positive Grid's Creator Hub is a massive game-changer for this class of amps - which Boss will need to have an answer for fairly quick order - not to loose it's market-leading position in this sector.
Boss still has the forward momentum of the long-term success of the Katana brand - but there are a few elements related to the Reactor Amps which are easier on the eye and more innovative.
If I was a first time buyer of a practice amp I would buy the Reactor 50 over the Katana 50 EX. For the 100W category - it would depend if it was more for home-play or proper gigging - and what type of gigging. If you're in a cover-band - just imagine the advantage of letting the Positive Grid's Creator Hub figure out all your tones for you - based on your setlist - and Text / Audio / Picture Prompts. Boss currently can't compete with that. But the Boss Katana 100 has captivating performance tones in spades. Players like Dave Simpson really show how great the Katana can sound - and Positive Grid has not yet reached that level - it will need to build up its amp legacy and reputation (reliability etc.) to match Boss's all-conquering Katanas. We don't know quite how robust those Reactor amps are yet - they need to be properly road-tested for years!
As a Brand Strategist - I'm very impressed with what Positive Grid have accomplished here - they've gone toe-ti-toe with Boss - and somehow come out ahead overall - at least on the features and first impressions impact list - while they're a somewhat unproven quantity for gigging and tour-grade robustness - we will need to see whether the Reactors are good for the stage as well as the practice amp and home-player audience!
As I mentioned - they're not going to threaten my Boss Katana Artist or Lava Music Amp - and I'm kind of short of space to be adding yet another amp! I feel I will soon be covered for the Positive Grid Creator Hub type Generative AI functionality via the forthcoming update to the Lava Amp device - which has recently upgraded its compatibilities with output peripherals too. It will be interesting to see how each of those ecosystems evolve and develop over the next few years. Positive Grid's Reactor Amps seem primed to do really well!
The Andertons demo (below) was a real eye-opener for me!
The battle has not been won yet - this is just round one - where Positive Grid had fired off a really tasty first salvo! We need to see how Boss responds here! I've been pushing them for a few years now to improve and upgrade their app and digital devices user interfaces - they're starting to lag a little behind where consumer electronics standards currently are at!
Interesting times ahead for sure!
Demos
