Aguilar Amplug 3

3bc said:

Just got this in the mail today, and I’m super impressed! I have some other headphone amp products. I also have some really nice studio kit with several very expensive DI boxes and an expensive interface with good headphone amp.

This thing sounds great, and is so much more portable than like the Darkglass stomp box I might normally use for sitting out on the back patio practicing along to a song or drum beats.

It could break in two weeks and I wouldn’t know that now. But based on initial impressions- Highly recommend!

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Was debating between this and the Fender Mustang Micro. Ultimately went with the Fender because of the bluetooth (FOR AUX IN!). Bonus is that the tuner is fantastic, even for a low B. Makes playing along with my phone or computer a breeze without using an interface.

There aren't a ton of usable sounds on the Fender, but there is a good clean channel, a tube like channel and plenty of high gain stuff. Would like a nice tonehammer sound as well, but it's a headphone amp. It's really just for practice and I don't need to have my sound dialed in exactly for practice. Plus I can use it for guitar as well where the assortment of sounds is more fun to explore.

IAMPK said:

Was debating between this and the Fender Mustang Micro. Ultimately went with the Fender because of the bluetooth (FOR AUX IN!). Bonus is that the tuner is fantastic, even for a low B. Makes playing along with my phone or computer a breeze without using an interface.

There aren't a ton of usable sounds on the Fender, but there is a good clean channel, a tube like channel and plenty of high gain stuff. Would like a nice tonehammer sound as well, but it's a headphone amp. It's really just for practice and I don't need to have my sound dialed in exactly for practice. Plus I can use it for guitar as well where the assortment of sounds is more fun to explore.

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Nice review!

I’m using one of these. Before I was using Ashdown tone pocket, which I really like, because, with good headphones, the bass sounds like a bass. But the internal rechargeable battery is quite short, so I’ve always had to use it plugged in. And then you have to plug into it with a lead cable.

I like that the Aguilar is way more portable - all you need is headphones. The tone shaping is more limited than the Ashdown (which has tone controls), but sounds good for me used for practice.

A question: I’ve read that rechargeable batteries can be used with the Aguilar. Does anybody know specifically which recharges AAAs will work? Does it matter/any rechargeables will work?Aguilar doesn’t mention it at all..

I've been seeing the reviews and have been interested in the Tone Hammer line and have had my curiosity piqued. I got a gift card that covered most of the cost, so I ordered one.

I also have the Vox Mini SuperBeetle Audio that uses the amPlug to model different amps, including using the Bass amPlug. If it works well, then I have another tone and drive setup for practicing.

It came in this morning. I quickly installed the batteries and and started out using it with my IEMs (Mackie MP-220s). The clean (green) channel sounded great for a headphone amp, even if the volume is a bit low. The The Vintage (red) channel is good at lower gain levels, but not so much my liking at the higher gain setting (YMMV).

The Vox Mini SuperBeetle Audio (MSB50) is an decent Bluetooth speaker. I definitely prefer my 5.5" studio monitors, they have a better tonal balance. The MSB50 has a deeper low end, but lacks some of the tonal warmth of the monitors. The monitors don't have any way to EQ them and there isn't sufficient bands on tone control on the TH amPlug to balance for a decent sound from the monitors. The sound from them is just okay. Using the TH amPlug with the MSB50 makes for a decent little practice rig, when you want to practice without using headphone/ear buds. It thumps pretty well and the response from the little 6-1/2" speaker isn't too bad, considering the size.

I've been using the Bluetooth from my laptop of some song with drum covers to play along with. (The drum covers work well to help me lock in with the drummer better.) I just set up the TH to max volume and the gain level I want, then turn up the MSB's volume to my listening level and blend in the Bluetooth volume on my laptop to mix well with my bass level.


I did dial in a little more mids than what is pictured, which helped a little with the lacking warmth. There's plenty of treble on hand, so it's set a smidge lower than pictured.

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure I eventually will, pugging a 3.5mm cord from the TH to an amp (input and/or Aux In) could potentially work too. I need to start trying some of the effects feature too.

This little device could be a decent little practice device to have in the tool box and pairs well with the MSB50 Audio.

Anyone want to comment on the Aguilar vs the Vox headphone amp? Anyone have or tried both? Just comments on versatility and tone please. Bluetooth is a completely separate conversation.

I've tried both and the Aguilar is a bit smoother sounding - more refined. The original latest-version VOX is a little more rough around the edges. Probably different tone goals between them.

I like the VOX version better, but I have never really got on with the sound and feel of Aguilar products, so it could just be psychological.