As the OP of this thread I´d like to thank everybody that has posted and shared their knowledge and experiences.
I think it is wonderful that there is a debate going about FRFR choises for the Axe Fx.
When I was looking for my reference stereo set up I spend about 6 months listening to a lot of different brands of amps, cd-players, speakers and caples in a controlled environment, optimizing each system to the room, marking the best placements for each configuration and then testing these agains each other in several listening tests. It was an exhausting process but at the same time very rewarding as it for one lead me to the system that I found to be the best for me, secondly educated my ears quite a bit and thirdly because I became aware of how very minute changes in ie speaker placement or angling would change the sound.
Because of this I understand Jays points and I totally appreciate that a knowledgable pro speaker designer lends some of his knowledge on the subject to the rest of the community that this forum is -props and thanks for that Jay - please keep it up.
At the same time I don´t think MKE and Raz had any intention to make their "shootout" a scientific or controlled test, more a gear-and player-gathering so to speak.
Guys please correct me if I´m wrong as I don´t want to speak for you.
Anyways, I´m still interested in the findings and observations from that gear-gathering, as I don´t have any stores near me that stocks these FRFR options, so even if the test is biased, so is any subjective reports about gear. What I try to do is read as much as I can before I make "an informed gamble" so to speak. I did it with the Ultra and haven´t regreded that one bit. On both these matters Joe´s (Jochen) opinions count alot for me as I know his tone and we share a tonal reference.
Ultimately I want the solution that is the most accurate in reproducing the signal the Axe outputs to the sound reproduction system. I might end up going for another more pro-grade system than the options mentioned in this thread, but I wanted to hear more about these as they are quite affordable and (mayby because of that) popular with Axe Fx users.
Jay Mitchell said:
....... One of the reasons I steadfastly refuse to sell my loudspeakers to Axe-Fx users is that I know there is no magic bullet. An accurate FRFR speaker will only make your Axe-Fx presets sound exactly like your Axe-Fx presets. If they're good, then the speaker will allow them to be exactly as good as they are. If they're not good, then an accurate speaker will show no mercy in revealing that. This is very much the same as with with stereo/monitor speakers.
If you want to use the full power of the Axe-Fx, it behooves you to find a speaker that does the best possible job of reproducing the signal it produces. My interest here is in offering cautionary information that will assist in the process of identifying such a speaker.
Jay it is entirely in your right to choose who you want to sell anything to, but the above puzzels me. Maybe I´m reading it wrong or I´m misunderstanding you (it´s past midnight in Scandinavia) but it seems to me that you first say you refuse to sell your speakers to Axe-Fx users as they are so accurate that some peoples presets might sound really bad, and then you say your interest is to help guide us to speakers that are so accurate that we can get the best out of the power of the Axe Fx. Did I get you wrong on this or does it seem like a bit of a contradiction in terms? I could better understand you if the reason was that it would cost a lot more to produce than an equally good and readily awailable option or that it would be destracting or whatever to the function of your company.
No ill meaning what so ever, as I again stress that it is naturally entirely your decision - maybe I just misunderstood your point.
