Blackstar's Beam Solo leads the contemporary headphone amplifier market, challenging competitors like Fender and Boss. Could this be the standout amp to surpass industry standards?

New Blackstar Beam Solo Challenges Headphone Amp Market

British gear manufacturer Blackstar has entered the headphone amp market with its latest product, the Beam Solo. The device, priced at $129, aims to compete with established players like the Fender Mustang Micro Plus ($135) and Boss Katana:Go ($139).

The Beam Solo's unique selling point is its screenless, intuitive User Interface (UI), a departure from the simpler designs of Fender and Boss. A 'Beam' light display on the edge of the device allows for quick tone adjustments, while the core of the Beam Solo is the SpeedDial, a multi-function parameter wheel responsible for gain, EQ, and volume adjustments.

The tonal assets of the Beam Solo come from Blackstar's "Ampton" collection, which fuses "authentic valve character with advanced digital algorithms". The SpeedDial also works with 'XpressFX' for instant, multi-layer effects adjustments.

In addition to its tonal capabilities, the Beam Solo includes the immersive "In The Room" tech, aiming to make the headphone experience "feel alive - like a real amp, in a real space". The device is Bluetooth compatible, allowing for streaming music for jamming.

The Beam Solo also features a headset mic input with built-in preamps and reverbs for solo set rehearsals. Notable users of the Blackstar Beam platform include Jared James Nichols and Doug Aldrich.

The Beam app offers more than 35 amps, cabs, mic sims, effects, and "pro-level tone tools". Players can upload, download, explore, and share presets on the platform.

The Fender Mustang Micro Plus and Boss Katana:Go, key players in the headphone amp market, offer tube amp-style tones for noise-conscious playing. Over the past three years, gear firms have invested in the headphone amp market, creating a range of silent-practice solutions for guitarists and bassists.

The Mustang Micro Plus and Katana:Go have been relaunched this year after a discontinuation. The Beam Solo is available for pre-order from Sweetwater (US) and Gear4Music (UK/Europe).

With the Beam Solo, Blackstar is positioning itself as a contender in the headphone amp market, offering an innovative, screenless UI and a range of tonal options. The device's immersive "In The Room" tech and Bluetooth compatibility also set it apart from its competitors. The Beam Solo is set to shake up the headphone amp market, offering guitarists and bassists a new, exciting option for silent practice and jamming.