Matrix 1000fx vs KRK flat response speakers

C

cgraci

Inspired
So My brother swears my axefx would sound so much better with his krk flat response speakers instead of my matrix gt1000fx and 2 2x12 mes recto speakers. If you ask me the matrix really blows them away. I cant believe i keep looking for a way to be disappointed with this amp and there is no way. Usually after a week of having new gear I find something I dont like about it, but not with this amp. Ive had mesas up the wazzoo and could never get this killer response and tone. Sometimes I just enjoy looking at it and dont play because it sounds so perfect. Just putting this out there.:encouragement:
 
You're comparing a power amp to powered studio monitors. I know a few people here use krk's. Bottom line is, they're low end studio monitors. If you got some nice frfr speakers, the axe fx II qualities would blow krks away.
 
^^^ Yup... hook up some CLR's to that Matrix and compair it to those krk's, the difference in sound will as be astronomical as the price difference :lol .
 
Last edited:
cgraci said:
Would they sound better than my mesa cabs? I know nothing about monitors.
Click to expand...

2 completely different approaches. The KRKs are full range monitors that you would want (need) to use the cab simulations. The Mesa cab is a cab specifically voiced for guitar & doesn't generally sound good with the cab sims on. My live rig is through a Mesa 2:90 power amp & mesa cabs with cab sims off. For recording, I use the cab sims on which changes the sound pretty drastically depending on which amp/cab combination I have so all my recording patches are dialed in separately from the live patches. You could mic the Mesa cab for recording but there is no way you could ever use the KRKs live.
 
cgraci said:
Would they sound better than my mesa cabs? I know nothing about monitors.
Click to expand...

Try to not think of it as a question of better but rather a question of versatility. If all you like to play through is one cab tone then a guitar cab is probably going to be your best bet. If you like to use vastly different amp sims Friedman HBE vrs a AC30TB then using that one cab is going to limit your tonal pallet, a Shadow 90 or V30 is not going to sound like a blue or many of the other speakers that the cab sims represent in the Axe. Not to mention the fact that a guitar cab will dull any of the synth sounds that you might want to use that really require a Full range speaker or monitor, so you some what effect that feature also.

If your running an Axe II you can grab an IR of your guitar cab using the Axe II and a mic, store it and use it as a cab sim through an FR monitor to get a pretty close representation to the tone your hearing with your Mesa cab. Some don't like this approach and would rather use a real guitar cab. It's really something you need to try and see if you can like it or not so maybe this is where the statement of "Would they sound better then my Mesa Cabs" applies.

Another thing to consider is getting use to is hearing your guitar from in front of you and in your face. It's a lot different then hearing it from behind you and at your ankles or off axis. Once I got used to it I couldn't go back, it's so much easer and better to be able to hear your self in the context a mix. Another benefit is playing to tracks, with an FR monitor you can mix it right in with your guitar and have it all coming out of one speaker.

The best experiment for you to do would be to A/B a good passive FR monitor (CLR or comparable) next to one of your Mesa cabs using the Matrix as the amp. For the best compression feed one side using an IR of your Mesa cab from OP-1. Use OP-2 to feed your real cab using the FX loop block to feed it making sure that you place that block before the cab sim block feeding OP-1. Once I did this little experiment I was convenced I no longer needed to use a guitar cab.
 
Oh ok so don't try self powered . Monitors. I should use the passive ones and hook them up to my matrix? When I used the krks the cab sim weeee on. That's why I wanted to truly them but wasn't impressed. Probably bc of the monitors like you said. Do I have to get a certain wattage for the clr's? My brother has a set of passive monitors but warned me I could burn them out bc of the power of my amp. Is this true ? I'm new to this so I appreciate the help.
 
cgraci said:
Oh ok so don't try self powered . Monitors. I should use the passive ones and hook them up to my matrix? When I used the krks the cab sim weeee on. That's why I wanted to truly them but wasn't impressed. Probably bc of the monitors like you said. Do I have to get a certain wattage for the clr's? My brother has a set of passive monitors but warned me I could burn them out bc of the power of my amp. Is this true ? I'm new to this so I appreciate the help.
Click to expand...

You can use powered monitors if you want I was just merrily suggesting using passive monitors because you already have a nice power amp to power them with. You also already have a pair of guitar cabs, this way if you don't like what your hearing you can stay with what you have or if you do like it you can use which ever one you want, it's always nice to have options ;). As mentioned earlier the Krk's are an entry level monitor and will have some short comings but if you know how to use the EQ's in the Axe you can make up for those short comings with them. Also they are near field monitors so your not going to get the same authority that you would with a hi powered 12" speaker from across the room.

As for wattage you can use the monitors your brother has just don't run the power amp wide open and they should be safe. Just keep in mind if the specs on those monitors aren't the greatest they will color the sound. I believe the CLR's are rated for 500 watts all day long so the amp you have would be a perfect match.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom