Mesa Boogie Subway D-800From real comments

Verdict distilled from 25 mentions across 13 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment61%
PROS 61%
CONS 39%

Rank based on 25 mentions across 13 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want Mesa-quality tone without the weight of tube heads
  • You need strong, punchy low end for large gigs or doom/metal tones
  • You want a built-in hi-pass filter for cab protection

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need a send-return effects loop built in
  • You're on a tight budget, since several found the price steep
  • You rely heavily on the voicing knob for tonal shaping at high volumes

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
31Premium
Mesa Boogie Subway D-800
Strong tone qualityLightweight designSufficient power for gigsHigh priceMid-range frequency choice questionedMissing built-in overdrive
Mesa Boogie Subway D-800
Strong tone quality
Lightweight design
Sufficient power for gigs
High price
Mid-range frequency choice questioned
Missing built-in overdrive

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Lightweight power that doesn't sacrifice Mesa's signature tone. Multiple users switched to the D-800 specifically for its light weight versus older Mesa tube amps like the Big Block 750, while still getting plenty of power at 400W. One user called it one of their best purchases, running it through a Fender Rumble cab and loving the deep bass mode. Others confirmed it cuts through well live and doesn't strain their back when hauling gear to gigs.

The deep switch and hi-pass filter win over serious bassists. Several commenters singled out the integrated hi-pass filter as a standout feature, with one saying it topped their shortlist ahead of a Gallien-Krueger alternative because of it. The deep bass mode also drew praise for adding low-end power while keeping tone shaped by EQ. However, at least one listener using ear buds couldn't detect a difference from the deep switch or voicing knob, suggesting the effect may be more noticeable through full-range cabs.

Price and missing features are the main sticking points. A shop tester passed on buying mainly due to price and the lack of a send-return effects loop, admitting price was the bigger factor. Another user said they expected more given the Mesa name and price tag, describing the tone as middle-of-the-road. Others asked repeatedly for a built-in overdrive/distortion option, implying it isn't included, while one found the chosen mid frequencies unhelpful for bass tone shaping.

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