Orange Crush 20From real comments

Verdict distilled from 49 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment81%
PROS 81%
CONS 19%

Rank based on 49 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a loud, versatile practice or small-gig amp with a great clean channel
  • You like the distinctive British Orange overdrive tone for rock, blues, or doom/stoner riffs
  • You're on a budget and want strong tone-for-price value

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need classic Marshall-style high-gain metal tones
  • You want simple, well-placed controls and a footswitch included by default
  • You're bothered by potential back-panel buzz or a required break-in period

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
31Budget
Orange Crush 20
Great value for the priceExcellent clean toneSurprising loudness for its sizeMuddy or fuzzy distortion at high gainBack panel buzzing defectReverb and tuner not worth the upgrade cost
Orange Crush 20
Great value for the price
Excellent clean tone
Surprising loudness for its size
Muddy or fuzzy distortion at high gain
Back panel buzzing defect
Reverb and tuner not worth the upgrade cost

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The clean channel is repeatedly called the amp's best feature. Multiple owners describe the clean tone as crystal clear, warm, natural, and even tube-like, working well with Strats, Les Pauls, and various pedal boards. Several bought the amp specifically after hearing the clean demo and remained happy with it long-term. Some use it purely as a pedal platform on the clean channel, saving the dirty channel for occasional use.

Loudness and gig-worthiness surprise many buyers. Owners repeatedly note the 8-inch combo is far louder than expected, with some using it in small venues, apartments, and even as a vocal monitor. Comparisons to larger amps favor the Crush 20, and several say they rarely need to turn past 2-4 on the volume knob at home, suggesting significant headroom for such a small practice amp.

Build quirks like buzzing and awkward controls frustrate some users. A back-panel buzzing issue is called a design defect by one commenter, though many simply remove the back panel to fix it and improve tone. Others complain about inverted EQ knobs, a rear power switch, and inconveniently placed gain and volume controls. A few also note the tuner and reverb aren't worth the price premium over the base model.

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