Ok just got my Xitone passive wedges and put F12x200s in and I am very happy with the result. The global EQ needed a tweak (treble cut and bass boost ) nothing too extreme, but they now sound and feel like a guitar cab.
The cab I was using to test the F12 was the mesa Thiele and you couldn't eq away the sound of the cab. In this cab the EQ is hugely responsive to slight changes with those results delivered . No overbearing cab or speaker character interferes with the IR.
Thanks Mike (Xitone) for offering to sell me empty cabs .
Those wanting to try these speakers should realise that the sound (what ever Celestion say) will be dependant to a large degree on the suitability of the cab . Also don't expect the output with no global EQ set to be great, it must be tuned to suit .
I think Fractal should make some preset global EQ curves storable . Say 5 preprogrammed and 5 user on a quick access basis made to address typical user environments (cabs, amps etc.) including something like the old "Loudness" control on a stereo. Yes you can do this yourself but many don't seem too and try to dial the presets instead and this is a fundamental error. Back to what I say about presets ; we need a control method to zero in the rig to make things cross compatible so I hear the stock presets the same as you what ever you put them through (as much as possible.)
Line 6 did this years back and it helped particularly the people new to the concept of FR FR and modelling in general. In the past good was good end of but with FR FR it matters how you get there too or everything goes to hell every time you change preset.