While the world of guitar headphone amplifiers continues to expand with innovative products, two notable contenders have emerged at the forefront of this increasingly competitive market: the Blackstar BEAM SOLO and the Fender Mustang Micro Plus. Priced within a competitive range—$129 for the BEAM SOLO versus $135 for the Mustang Micro Plus—these compact devices target musicians seeking silent practice solutions with professional-quality sound.
The Mustang Micro Plus has established itself as a versatile powerhouse, offering 25 amp models and 25 effect combinations that span from pristine Fender cleans to high-gain metal tones. Its OLED display provides visual feedback during tone adjustments, while USB-C connectivity enables the device to function as an audio interface for recording. Despite these advantages, some users report that the unit can struggle with bass-heavy or drop-tuned guitars at higher volumes.
Blackstar’s BEAM SOLO counters with an innovative approach to user interface design. Rather than incorporating a traditional screen, the BEAM SOLO features a unique SpeedDial system and interactive light display called “Beam” that provides visual feedback for tone adjustments. The BEAM SOLO’s amp models have been meticulously engineered in Northampton studios to capture authentic tones. The device draws from Blackstar’s established amp modeling technology and connects to the Ampton virtual amp library, giving users access to classic tube amp sounds in a pocket-sized format. The BEAM SOLO also includes a headset mic input with built-in preamps and reverbs, making it versatile for vocalists who also play guitar.
Both units store customizable presets and offer companion apps for deeper editing capabilities. Where the Mustang Micro Plus excels in offering a wider variety of effects and recording functionality, the BEAM SOLO emphasizes intuitive real-time tone shaping through its XpressFX system, allowing for multi-layer effects adjustments without diving into menus. Both devices provide excellent platforms for practicing essential techniques like hammer-ons and pull-offs that require consistent repetition to master. For artists looking to quickly record and distribute their practice sessions, both devices integrate well with streaming platforms that allow musicians to share their compositions with audiences worldwide.
Build quality appears solid for both contenders, though the recently introduced BEAM SOLO lacks the extensive field testing of Fender’s offering. Ultimately, the question of whether Blackstar’s challenger can dethrone Fender’s established player may depend on whether guitarists prefer the Mustang Micro Plus’s visual interface and expanded feature set or the BEAM SOLO’s innovative control scheme and focus on immediate tone manipulation.
