Best Guitar Amplifiers · head-to-head

Vox AC30C2 vs Blackstar HT-1R MkIII

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Blackstar HT-1R MkIII is cheaper at $449.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Vox AC30C2 or Blackstar HT-1R MkIII?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Blackstar HT-1R MkIII is the cheaper at $449.99.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Vox AC30C2 Blackstar HT-1R MkIII
US price $1799.99 $449.99
BrandVoxBlackstar
Released
Amplifier type tube tube
Power watts 30 1
Speaker config 2x12 1x8
Channels 2 2
Form factor combo combo
Onboard effects No Yes
Effects loop Yes No
Direct out No Yes
Headphone out No Yes
Weight (lb) 70.99

Sources — Vox AC30C2: voxamps.com (verified 2026-07-11). Blackstar HT-1R MkIII: blackstaramps.com (verified 2026-07-11).

What's the difference between the Vox AC30C2 and Blackstar HT-1R MkIII?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Power watts: Vox AC30C2 30 vs Blackstar HT-1R MkIII 1
  • Speaker config: Vox AC30C2 2x12 vs Blackstar HT-1R MkIII 1x8
  • Onboard effects: Vox AC30C2 false vs Blackstar HT-1R MkIII true
  • Effects loop: Vox AC30C2 true vs Blackstar HT-1R MkIII false
  • Direct out: Vox AC30C2 false vs Blackstar HT-1R MkIII true
  • Headphone out: Vox AC30C2 false vs Blackstar HT-1R MkIII true

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