Orange Crush 20 20W 8in 2-Channel Guitar Amplifier and Speaker Combo

Our review of the Orange Crush 20 finds it to be a compact practice amp that punches well above its size. Built around a new high gain, 4 stage preamp and an analogue signal path, the Crush 20 gives players a versatile palette of tones from clean to rich distortion while remaining portable and easy to use. The twin channel design with foot switchable channels and a Cubism loaded headphone output means it suits bedroom practice, small rehearsals and pedalboard experiments without compromising perceived tonal quality.

Key Features

• Foot switchable channels: Quickly switch between clean and high gain sounds for live passage changes without touching the amp.
• Analogue signal path: Preserves the character and dynamics of pickups and pedals for responsive feel and natural overdrive.
• Cubism loaded headphone output: Allows silent practice with a speaker-emulated output that maintains tone and presence.
• New high gain preamp design: Delivers a heavier, more modern distortion palette while retaining clarity at lower gain settings.
• 20 watts of power: Provides enough volume for small rehearsals and studio tracking while being controllable for home use.

Who It's For

The Crush 20 is aimed at guitarists who need a reliable practice and small-venue combo with authentic analogue tone and a compact footprint. It works well for bedroom players, hobbyists who run pedals, and gigging musicians needing a lightweight amp for rehearsal or local shows.

Players who need very high headroom for large venues or those who require extensive built-in digital effects and modeling should look elsewhere; this amp focuses on straightforward, quality analogue tone and simple controls rather than elaborate feature sets.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rich, full tone from the 4 stage preamp that responds well to pedals and playing dynamics.
• Practical features like foot switchable channels and a speaker-emulated headphone out make it versatile for practice.
• Solid build and straightforward controls make setup quick and intuitive for most players.

Cons

• At 20 watts it is limited for larger stages without miking or DI; not intended as a full PA replacement.

Specifications

Brand	Orange
Model	Crush 20
Power	20 watts
Speaker	8in combo speaker
Channels	2 channels, foot switchable
Preamp	New high gain, 4 stage preamp
Outputs	Cubism loaded headphone output

Our Verdict

The Crush 20 is an excellent value for players who want authentic analogue tone and flexible practice options in a small package. Its new high gain preamp and foot switchable twin channels give it real versatility, and the Cubism headphone output makes it a practical choice for quiet sessions. Buy this if you need a portable, well-built practice amp that handles pedals and delivers pleasing tone in small settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this amp be used with pedals?
Yes, the analogue signal path and responsive preamp make it well suited to overdrive, boost and modulation pedals.

Is the headphone output speaker-emulated?
Yes, the Cubism loaded headphone output provides a speaker-emulated signal for silent practice that preserves tone character.

Is 20 watts enough for rehearsals?
For small rooms and home rehearsal the 20W output is ample, but larger venues will need DI or miking for adequate stage volume.