Vox MV50 RockFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 21 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment55%
PROS 55%
CONS 45%

Rank based on 21 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a light, affordable amp with surprisingly big tone
  • You mainly play single-coil guitars and want crisp distortion or clean tones
  • You need a cheap, maintenance-free practice or small-gig amp

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need it to stay firmly anchored on a cabinet during gigs
  • You're bothered by potential fizz/blawhhh character at higher gain settings
  • You want battery power for busking

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
Vox MV50 Rock
Good crisp distortion and rock tonesBig tone from a tiny ampLightweight and portableFizzy/blawhhh distortion characterUnclear headphone/line output behaviorCan slide off cabinets during gigs
Vox MV50 Rock
Good crisp distortion and rock tones
Big tone from a tiny amp
Lightweight and portable
Fizzy/blawhhh distortion character
Unclear headphone/line output behavior
Can slide off cabinets during gigs

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Tone quality impresses far beyond the amp's tiny size and price. Multiple commenters were surprised at how big a sound comes from such a small unit, describing stunning fat clear rock tones with a Les Paul, amazing results with a Tele pickup, and a smoky tone with the volume knob rolled back. One user called it the best clean sound of the whole MV50 lineup, and another preferred its rock tone over the AC version and even a bandmate's Tubemeister 40.

Some users hear fizz or blawhhh character that needs taming. A few commenters noted a fizzy, blowy quality especially past 12 o'clock on gain, particularly with humbuckers. However, users found this improved by keeping gain and tone closer to 12 o'clock, switching to V30 speakers, or engaging the deep switch, which also added low end and a smoother, richer-sounding distortion for practice use.

Extreme portability is loved but creates a stability quirk live. The lightweight design is frequently praised for gigging and rehearsal convenience, paired easily with small cabs like a BC108 or 2x12. However, one commenter relayed feedback from multiple owners that the amp is so light it can get dragged off the cabinet during live use, a recurring complaint despite everyone loving the actual sound.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?