Yamaha has cleverly dubbed its THR series as the “third amp” – and after spending considerable time with the THR30II Wireless, it’s easy to see why. This isn’t designed to be your stage rig or primary studio workhorse. Instead, it carves out a niche as an amplifier that seamlessly integrates into your home environment, offering great tone at lower volumes without being visually obtrusive.
Initially, I placed the THR30II in my living room, envisioning it as the ideal grab-and-go solution for quick practice sessions. However, I soon realized my living room was a bit too expansive for the amp’s intended volume range when I wanted to crank it up a little. My perspective shifted entirely when I relocated the THR30II to my bedroom, specifically for late-night, low-volume playing. As someone who often finds themselves awake during the quiet hours, having the THR30II readily available has been a game-changer, completely transforming my opinion of this amp.
The Yamaha THR30II Wireless is a digital amplifier, part of the THR series II family. Yamaha streamlined the lineup by incorporating all three color variations from the original Series I into a single, versatile amp. This unified approach feels much more consumer-friendly compared to the somewhat fragmented choices of the first iteration.
Yamaha boasts that the THR30II Wireless packs in fifteen distinct guitar amplifier models, along with three bass amp models, three microphone models tailored for acoustic guitars, and a flat response setting perfect for accommodating external preamps or other instruments.
The amp models are categorized into three main families: Modern, Classic, and Boutique. Each family offers a selection of preset tones accessible via a rotary switch. This same switch also grants access to the bass and acoustic amp models, enhancing the amp’s versatility. One minor drawback is Yamaha’s lack of explicit documentation regarding which specific amps each setting emulates. While the downloadable reference manual provides some clues, clearer labeling would definitely improve user experience.
The THR30II Wireless sits at the top of the THR series II range. It delivers a solid 30 watts of power and boasts Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration with Yamaha’s intuitive smartphone app. For recording purposes, it includes line outputs for connecting to audio interfaces, as well as direct USB recording capabilities. A built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery adds to its portability, making it perfect for playing anywhere, even without access to mains power. Yamaha’s audio division’s “Extended Stereo Technology” is a standout feature, producing remarkably rich and spacious sound from the amp’s compact speaker drivers. If you remember the now-discontinued Apple HiFi, the THR30II is similar in size and delivers a comparable, excellent tonal range. Furthermore, the “Wireless” designation is truly earned with an integrated Line6 wireless receiver. Considering Yamaha’s ownership of Line6, it’s no surprise that the amp’s built-in effects are drawn from the acclaimed Line6 effects library.
My sole frustration lies in the limited availability of the optional, matching Line6 transmitter. It seems supply chain issues are causing significant delays, turning my initial six-week wait into a potentially much longer one.
The factory presets on the THR30II Wireless are decent starting points, but I wouldn’t say any of them blew me away straight out of the box. They provide a solid foundation for experimentation, and the iOS app truly unlocks the amp’s editing potential, offering far greater control and flexibility than the physical knobs alone, particularly regarding effects. For instance, the app allows for simultaneous delay and reverb, whereas the physical knobs limit you to one or the other. Since pairing the amp with my smartphone, I’ve found myself rarely touching the physical controls on the unit itself, preferring the app’s convenience.
A built-in tuner, cleverly integrated into the battery gauge display, is a handy addition. However, its placement on the top panel makes it somewhat difficult to see when the amp is positioned on a shelf, as often depicted in marketing materials. While functional, it’s not the most sophisticated tuner. For ultimate ease of use, investing in a dedicated clip-on tuner like a Snark might be a worthwhile upgrade.
