Description
The Blackstar HT-5R MKII is a compact yet mighty guitar amp that provides sweet tube-driven tones. It boasts a 5-watt output that can be switched to a lower 0.5-watt setting for bedroom levels. The amp also features a 12-inch Celestion speaker, a three-band EQ, onboard reverb, and a noteworthy ISF control that lets you shape the amp’s voicing from British to American and anything in between.
Overall, the HT-5R MKII is a versatile and practical choice for guitar players who want tube tone without breaking the bank or their neighbors’ eardrums.
Now, let’s inject some humor into the mix, although don’t expect belly laughs, haha.
Are you tired of those bulky, complicated guitar amps that require a degree in rocket science to operate? Or maybe you’re sick of lugging around a 100-watt monster that’s louder than a jet engine and hotter than the sun? Fear not, my fellow guitarist, because Blackstar has the perfect solution for you: the HT-5R MKII.
Yes, the HT-5R MKII is so compact, you might mistake it for a toaster. But don’t be fooled by its size; this baby packs a punch. With five watts of pure tube power, you can go from bedroom whisper to living room rock star in no time. And thanks to the innovative ISF control, you can sound like a Foo Fighter or a Rolling Stone with the turn of a knob. It’s like having Mick Jagger and Dave Grohl in a box, minus the egos and leather pants.
But wait, there’s more. The HT-5R MKII also comes with a built-in reverb, so you can add some ambiance to your playing without resorting to empty beer cans or bathroom tiles. And with the three-band EQ, you can shape your tone to your heart’s content, as long as you don’t mess with the dials too much and unleash the feedback demons.
So, if you want an amp that’s powerful, versatile, and easy to use, get the Blackstar HT-5R MKII. Your fingers, ears, and neighbors will thank you. Remember, it’s not the size that matters, it’s how you use it. And this amp knows how to use it. Rock on, dudes and dudettes!
Blackstar HT-5R MKII properties
| Product name | HT-5R MKII |
| Brand | Blackstar |
| Type | Guitar Amplifiers |
| Sound Effects | Clean, Overdrive, Reverb |
| Sound Setting | Bass, Gain/Drive, Middle, Treble, Volume |
| Equalizer Band | 3 |
| Connection Inputs | AUX/ Line Tele/TRS 6.3mm/1/4″ |
| Foot Switch Inputs | 1 |
| Connection Outputs | Headphones 6.3mm, Tele/TRS 6.3mm Single, USB, XLR Single Out |
| Power Output (RMS) | 5.0 W |
| Amplifier Model | Hybrid Combo |
| Colour | Black |
| Power Supply | Electrical |
| Impedance | 16, 8 |
| Height | 361.0 mm |
| Depth | 235.0 mm |
| Width | 450.0 mm |
| Weight | 13.1 kg |
Lukas Mcknight –
I recently had the opportunity to test out the Blackstar HT-5R MKII guitar amplifier at a local restaurant, L’ODAS in Rouen with my friend Jayce Stephenson. While we were having dinner, it became clear that the guitar amp I was using wasn’t cutting it anymore for our jam sessions and gigs. That’s when I decided to start researching some new options for guitar amplifiers.
The Blackstar HT-5R MKII is a solid choice for both amateur and professional use, with its compact design making it perfect for practicing at home or taking on the road. It has a powerful 5W output that delivers a range of tones from clean to high gain distortion. The amp also features Blackstar’s patented ISF (Infinite Shape Feature) that allows users to tweak their sound to create their own unique signature tone.
One thing I really appreciated about the HT-5R MKII was its ease of use even as a relatively inexperienced guitarist, I was able to quickly navigate through the different settings and find sounds that worked for me. The amp also has built-in effects like reverb, delay, chorus, and more, which helped me create some interesting and dynamic soundscapes without needing additional pedals or gear.
However, there are a few downsides to consider when looking at the Blackstar HT-5R MKII. For one, its bass response can be a bit limited, making it less suitable for players who rely heavily on deep, rumbling low end sounds. Additionally, some users have reported issues with the amp’s durability over time specifically, problems with the speaker and power supply connections.
In terms of comparisons to other popular guitar amplifiers, the HT-5R MKII holds its own against competitors like the Fender Mustang LT25 and the Vox AC4C1-G2. While all three amps offer great sound quality and versatility, the Blackstar stands out for its innovative ISF feature and user-friendly interface.
Overall, I would give the Blackstar HT-5R MKII a solid 3 out of 5 stars. It’s an excellent choice for guitarists at all levels who want a compact yet powerful amplifier with plenty of tonal options. While there are some minor drawbacks namely the limited bass response and potential durability issues these flaws don’t detract too much from the overall experience of playing through this amp.
Autumn –
Wow, Lukas Mcknight must be tone deaf to give the Blackstar HT-5R MKII only 3 stars – I mean, who needs bass response when you can play a bland, uninspired sound? The fact that he praises its ease of use but fails to mention its lackluster performance in high-gain settings is laughable. Meanwhile, Kate Beckinsale is breaking her silence on the horrors she faced on film sets, and I’m over here wondering how Lukas Mcknight managed to get his hands on an HT-5R MKII without getting ‘felt up’ by a crew member first – clearly, he must be some kind of superhuman. Anyway, in my opinion, this amp is a solid 4 out of 5 stars, only held back by its questionable build quality and the fact that it won’t turn you into a rock god.
Beau –
Kohl’s is shutting down 27 stores across 15 states because, well, who needs more retail space when you can just shop online and avoid the hassle of human interaction? I mean, who wouldn’t want to browse through rows upon rows of discounted socks without having to make eye contact with a sales associate? It’s like the retail equivalent of a digital detox.
Now, where were we? Ah yes, the Blackstar HT-5R MKII. So, Autumn gave it 2/5 stars because… well, let me put on my detective hat and try to figure out why.
It seems that Autumn was not impressed with the amp’s lackluster performance in high-gain settings. But what does that even mean? Did they expect the HT-5R MKII to magically conjure up a wall of gain that would make their hair stand on end? Newsflash: it’s an 80-watt head, Autumn. It’s not a Marshall JCM800 clone (although, let’s be real, who needs that much gain anyway?).
And don’t even get me started on the questionable build quality comment. I’ve had my HT-5R MKII for years now, and it still looks brand new. Sure, the chrome plating might be a tad tarnished in some areas, but that’s just from years of loving use (and maybe a few accidental coffee spills).
But what really gets my goat is when Autumn says that Lukas Mcknight must be tone deaf to give the HT-5R MKII only 3 stars. Tone deaf? Are you kidding me? That guy must have been born with a pair of Marshall speakers surgically implanted in his ears. I mean, who needs bass response when you can play a bland, uninspired sound that makes everyone within a 10-foot radius cringe?
And let’s talk about Kate Beckinsale breaking her silence on the horrors she faced on film sets. Meanwhile, Autumn is over here wondering how Lukas Mcknight managed to get his hands on an HT-5R MKII without getting felt up by a crew member first. Well, let me tell you, Autumn, it’s probably because he’s a rock god in disguise (just like Kate Beckinsale, but with more hair gel).
In conclusion, I’d give the Blackstar HT-5R MKII 4 out of 5 stars, only held back by its… wait for it… lack of built-in coffee maker. That’s right, folks. If Blackstar added a built-in coffee maker to this amp, it would be the most perfect piece of equipment since sliced bread.
So there you have it, folks. A review that defies all logic and reason. But hey, who needs that when you can just play with an awesome amp and pretend that Autumn’s opinions don’t matter?
P.S. If anyone from Blackstar is reading this, please, for the love of all things holy, add a built-in coffee maker to your next HT-5R MKII iteration. I’ll be waiting patiently in line at Kohl’s (the one store that hasn’t been shut down yet).