NEW Boss Katana 100 Gen 3 vs. Line6 Catalyst CX 100 | Gear Check | Thomann

Clash of the Combos: Boss just released the new Katana 100 Gen 3, but how does it compare to the Line6 Catalyst CX 100? Let's find out as each of both has it's special assets!

Interesting bits and pieces:
0:00 Intro
0:30 What do we have here?
1:22 Clean playing | Boss Katana 100 Gen 3
1:49 Clean playing | Line6 Catalyst CX 100
2:28 Clean Conclusions
4:05 Crunch playing | Boss Katana 100 Gen 3
4:21 Crunch playing | Line6 Catalyst CX 100
4:40 Crunchy Conclusions
6:12 Rock playing | Boss Katana 100 Gen 3
6:30 Rock | Line6 Catalyst CX 100
6:51 Rock Conclusions
8:48 Input & Models
9:06 Effects
9:46 Presets
10:00 Line6 Footswitch
10:10 Boss Footswitch
10:28 Midi
10:49 Katana BT Dual Adaptor
10:51 Bluetooth
11:16 Boss Bluetooth Adaptor
12:24 The Systems
14:02 Conclusions

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[ThomannsGuitarsBasses]

Hey, I want to address 2 things:
1. we use the Catalyst CX100 in the video, sorry for the confusing "CX60" on your screen.
2. True, the BOSS Katana 100 has 8 presets, not 4 like we said in the video. Thanks for the correction in the comments, we honestly didn't find this info when we did our spec checking research before making this one. Apparently this is a common misunderstanding, like other guitarists (and guitar channels) we also didn't find out about the additional 4 presets in time. Sorry, definitely our bad.
Thanks for the comments and for spreading your experience and knowledge on these two awesome amps. Best community ever!! 💛
Cheers //Kris

[jenton]

I bought a Gen 3 Katana 50 as I needed a quick grab for a light and low-volume friendly amp and the shop had it in stock. I love it and it's quickly becoming my main amp. I haven't had to mess around much. A few tweaks to suit the guitars I use and bang there's the sound. Low-cost and not as glamorous as tubes but it's working for me!

[sorenahlback]

I sold my Katana 50MKII and bought then new 100 Gen3, both are great but three plus for the 100 watt is 8 presets, better speaker and GA-FC EX works. I have today put around 50 songs on Spotify only using Katana Amps, also the Bass 110, and have atm around 25000 monthly listeners. And that on short instrumental music I write and play only for my own pleasure. Boss Katana are great amps for sure! I guess Catalyst are too, never tried though.

[jbognap]

An important feature of the Katana is that you can have up to 3 EQs per patch, which allows you to sculpt the sound in endless ways.

[WeekendWarrior]

5:40 you forgot to mention how well it transitions from Bonkle to Scringo

[OttoVonRaz]

After watching many YouTube videos comparing these 2 amps I finally tried them both out at my local Guitar Center. The only way, I believe, to make a real decision is to play them both. Sit there and fiddle with the knobs and try out different guitars as well. In the end I really connected with the Catalyst sound but liked the Katana design. Go figure 🎉

[MrJingles]

I have the original Catalyst, which upgrades to the CX for free, and I love it. If my amp broke, I'd absolutely go for another Catalyst.

[davemoore]

Your comparison is spot on. They both sound (I have played both) good. They have differences because they are different! I think you are right, If you are a line 6 customer maybe go for the catalyst (my helix sounds good through the Catalyst. If you like and are familiar with Roland systems maybe go for the Katana. The one thing I like about the Catalyst is the immediacy of the tone shaping in manual mode. Like amps they need some patience and time to dial in the right sound to suit you and what axe you are using.

[ajlukelepuke]

I've owned a Line 6 spider in the past and really liked it. I recently picked up a Boss 50w. Sounds great and think it offers more for the $$.

[GabrielSkolderblad]

What amp group did you use on the Catalyst? Group 1 or 2 that is new with the CX?

[antalantal]

I have a catalyst and it is excellent for clean and crunchy sounds and for the effects. The other settings are OKish but nothing more than that.

[michaelschneider]

Enjoyed your detailed comparisons! I have a Catalyst CX60 and love it for the clean and crunch channels especially. But, there are very few additional tones available via Line 6’s Customtone utility (many are redundant copies of one another, and many others are poor). It would be great to be able to draw on the rest of the Line 6 “ecosystem, ” like the many Helix presets, other than by buying a Helix HX Stomp in addition (roughly twice the cost!) and then using the Catalyst merely as a powered speaker. Why not enable using Helix native plugins on the Catalyst??

[pharaohgnomes]

I have a Boss Katana 100 and find the crunch usable but not so satisfying. Your comparison seemed to confirm to my ears the Catalyst sounded better. I also have a much older Line 6 amp that sounds good but it is heavy and I am completely over lugging 14:01 heavy gear around. I think II'll buy a Catalyst and keep the Boss as a backup. Both amps are really well thought out products.
Thanks for the video.

[kerkuss]

I just wanted to add, that I've just upgraded my Catalyst 100 to new soft 2.02 and the sounds (especially heavy) are much better. The clean always has been good. But you can't go wrong with either of these amps to be fair. And still there are hidden trasures like VOX 40xt with some great sounds.

[indigos]

In my earbuds the catalyst kills it! The simplicity of the tone is amazing!

[SpunktAlex]

The Katana on Lead/Overdrive sounded way better to my ears. Clean and Crunchy the Catalyst sounded amazing, but in the end for me the heavier gain channels would be the more important ones. If I'd play more clean or edge of breakup Catalyst it would be.

[PooNinja]

So get em both and run them in parallel?

[KimmyR]

the Katana has 8 presets, A/B for each channel plus the variation button

[robertshamansky]

They both sound great. I’m a Line 6 Helix Guy so I would buy the Catalyst to avoid learning a whole new ecosystem.

[stefpenfield]

But can we talk about that Larry Carlton? I really don't need to be buying a new tstyle and a new amp this month.