For roughly 5 years, I've had the 1st iteration of the Atomic amps 50watt FRFR active tube monitors.
While I have enjoyed them, and outside of one blown cap, they have been pretty flawless performers. Caveat: Light use gigging, mostly basement playing (2/3 times a week), but lately I've moved into my own space, and I can really make them sing at loud volumes.
Problem is, I'm at the point where I feel like I can only get the full use out of my Axe II unless these things are really singing volume wise. I don't NEED huge volume to play, but in tweaking, my patches sound radically different gig vs enjoyment volume (enjoyment being still loud, just not 'compete with the drummer' loud.) Also, I've felt that there is an overabundance of bass...it can get boomy unless tamed; and even then, it's a dance between 'I can feel it thump' and 'thin'.
Another problem is that I do not want to deal with tubes, caps, etc. My last problem is that a cap blew, and I really don't want to have to deal with that anymore. (And one of them is suspiciously crackling...which makes me think it's coming around again...) Enough.
I'm considering going CLR. Maybe a single active wedge, maybe 2. If a wedge could power another cab (say, the old atomic), I might go that way. Doing the math, it makes no sense to me to get 2 passive wedges, and the Matrix...more money, more cables, more hassle.
Questions for CLR owners:
-Is dispersion enough for a single wedge? Or would I miss 2 of them?
-I really need comments on low volume playing. I'm thinking of buying a condo (like I need 3 properties in my life...) and sonic disturbance is an issue. If I have to turn up to get *that* tone, then honestly, I'll just buy another house (if that gives some weird sick insight into what I consider 'priority'...)
-Is there anyone who's owned the earlier version of the Atomic, and moved onto the CLR? Comment please.
-How have they been reliability wise? This is an item I would want to buy, and not have to deal with again.
Yes, this is a roundabout way to say 'should I get a CLR'?