In a hurry? Here’s our verdict

AI can be a very divisive topic, and there are good reasons for that. But it’s here to stay. The question is how it’s used – and we haven’t seen a better use than the BandBox.

JBL BandBox review

First impressions

The first thing we noticed when we plugged in is how loud this thing is!

Even the Solo, which is small enough to throw in your gig bag, can put out enough volume to rattle the windows when you crank it up.

We were also impressed by the amp models and how customisable they are. We know that nothing can take the place of an old-school tube amp for a lot of people, but the sheer range of decent tones you can get from the BandBox makes it a very useful tool.

Most importantly, the stem separation function is incredible… but we’ll get to that shortly.

Solo vs. Trio

There are two models for you to choose from, the pocket-sized Solo and the larger, more powerful Trio. Here’s what you get:

The BandBox Solo

This is the 30W entry-level model, and it’s tiny! That doesn’t stop it from having an impressive list of features, though.

As well as stem separation, you have a built-in tuner, metronome, and even a looper. It has a six-hour battery life, so you can practise as long as you need to!

You can access a lot of the features from the unit itself, but the app is necessary if you want to get the most out of the Solo. It opens up extra models and more precise control of other functions.

The Solo has a single input, which can be used for an instrument or mic, and its own built-in mic.

You also have a headphone socket for silent practice. Micro amps are a great practice tool, and the BandBox Solo is definitely one of the most impressive for features.

The BandBox Trio

While the Solo is great for practising by yourself, the 135W Trio is designed for band settings.

It has three inputs, each of which can use different models, and a dedicated mixer. It really sits somewhere between a practice amp and a portable PA system.

With a larger LED screen, you’re able to control a lot more of the functionality straight from the device rather than the app.

It also has a longer 10-hour battery life, and the battery can be replaced, which is a nice touch.

AI stem separation

Here we go! This is the big one, the feature that sets the BandBox apart, and it’s brilliant. Have you ever tried learning the guitar part to a song and struggled because it’s a little buried in the mix? Yeah, so have we. Stem separation may just be the answer.

It’s a technology that’s been around for a while, but not in an amp. You stream music to the device via Bluetooth, and it uses AI to separate the instruments so you can turn them up or down. That means you can pull the guitar part forward or isolate it completely as you learn it, then drop it out of the mix to play along. It’s one of the most useful practice tools we can think of.

As a fun extra, you can also remove the vocals, making a backing track to any song you want. Anyone for karaoke?

Usability

It feels like a lot of thought has gone into making the BandBox as easy to use as possible. The basic controls are all fairly simple, with deeper control available through the JBL One app.

For the Solo, the onboard controls are relatively limited. You can do the basics, including stem separation, but detailed control comes from the app. This isn’t necessarily everyone’s preference, but the app itself is set up logically and is nice and simple to use. Models are easy to find, and settings within each model are intuitive.

Thanks to its larger size and LED screen, the Trio has a lot more functionality available without the app. The mixer function is simple to use, and the more complex functions are fairly quick to pick up.

Both versions of the BandBox have definitely been designed as real-world tools rather than a clever technical exercise.

Sound quality

We all know that JBL speakers have a very good reputation for sound quality – it’s what they do. But does that translate well into the world of guitar amps? In a word, yes.

The Solo uses a 2.25” full-range transducer, which gives a fantastically clear sound right across the frequency range. It sounds large and immediate. To make use of its higher power output, the Trio uses a 6.5” woofer and a pair of 1” tweeters. With both models, the volume and clarity are superb.

Beyond that, we were impressed by how much these little boxes sound like a large amp. The amp models respond naturally to playing style, cleaning up when you use a lighter touch or roll the guitar volume back. If you’re on the fence about modellers, the BandBox may convince you.

FAQs

Are JBL speakers good?

JBL speakers are very good. They’re consistently one of the most highly rated brands when it comes to sound quality combined with portability. The company has a great reputation, though that does come at a higher price than many less highly regarded options.

What makes a good practice amp?

Good practice amps offer high-quality sound in a compact format that is easy to use. They don’t need to have many different sounds, though that can be a bonus. They need to be small and portable so they can be used anywhere, and they need to be user-friendly so that they don’t get in the way of practising.

How many watts is good for a practice amp?

Solid-state practice amps are generally between 10 and 45 watts. At this level, you can get a good volume level for home use without upsetting the neighbours. Valve amps between 1 and 5 watts will fill the same role as valve amps are considerably louder.

Final thoughts

So that’s our JBL BandBox review. We have some traditionalists in the Gear4music guitars team, but we’ve been won over by this box of tricks – we love it! It’s a truly impressive use of AI, and one that we think will be an incredibly useful practice tool for many guitarists. Hopefully, there’ll be some left in stock by the time you read this, but the first few we sell will probably be bought by the team!