Deadpool_25
Fractal Fanatic
I've had the PXMs for a short time now and loved them immediately. A few days ago I bought a Fender Tone Master Pro at GC to check out alongside my FM9. Almost as an afterthought I asked if they had the FR-12 as well. They did so I grabbed that too.
My initial test was very promising and I seemed to like it as much as the PXM--maybe even a touch more in some ways. So since I had three EVs I figured the only way to be fair was to order two more FR-12s (lol; I'm crazy). I ordered them from Sweetwater on Saturday evening and they arrived today (Monday morning).
I immediately setup for some testing in stereo (not wdw yet).
Note: Take all this for what it's worth. I tested I in my space with my guitars, my FM9, and my ears. YMMV
So far my opinion is holding. I prefer the FR12 for guitar sounds--it just feels a bit more like a real cab. It's the fullness or resonance of the low end I think. It feels more "girthy" and it's a significant difference. The PXM fees more snappy/punchy in the low end.
I used models of a Deluxe, AC-30, JVM orange, and VH-4 and feel that both are great with both low to high gain. I do slightly prefer the FR12 when directly a/b'ing but the overall listening/playing experience is fantastic using either and I'd absolutely be happy with either setup (or even a mix).
While I prefer the FR12 for guitar sounds specifically, I think I prefer the PXMs for recorded music. Maybe? That's much closer. The PXM seems a tiny bit more detailed as a speaker, so a little more hi-fi. My impression is that the PXM is probably a bit flatter but I could be wrong. Of course neither of them is gonna be like a super hi-fi home or car audio speaker or have the detail of a great studio monitor, but both of them sound good enough for playing to backing tracks and such (I ran my iPhone through the FM9's input 2).
I like the control layout of the FR12, with individual knobs and power switch on top which makes adjustments very simple and intuitive--more guitar-like. The PXM's adjustments are low and on the side and you adjust them in a (simple) menu system. The FR12 has bass, middle, treble, and high cut. The PXM has bass, middle, and treble, and you can adjust the center point of the mid control. I didn't adjust the controls during this testing (I did a little when I tried the first one) but I think that high cut on the FR12s would be super handy.
The FR12 only has a single input. That makes it fne for a modeler but less useful as a PA speaker. The PXM has three inputs so it would be better if you want to hook up multiple devices (I need to remember to hook my synth up).
The PXM also has phantom power so you can use it for a vocal mic or something.
The PXM has waaaay more options in terms of DSP/control. Different modes, presets, etc.
The PXM is physically smaller; the FR12 is a couple lbs lighter. I find the carrying experience is a little better with the FR12. The handle is on top and feet on the bottom like a combo amp. The PXM's handle is on the side so when you set it down you either set it on its side and risk scratching it up or you tilt it while setting it down so it lands on its feet. That just feels a little more awkward.
They both can be set at a few angles (swing out legs on the FR12). The PXM is pole mountable. The FR is not.
The FR12 has a more guitar-centric aesthetic.
Ambient hiss is minimal on both.
All in all, both of these are really good with the FM9. I don't think you can go wrong with either for use as an FRFR for a modeler.
My initial test was very promising and I seemed to like it as much as the PXM--maybe even a touch more in some ways. So since I had three EVs I figured the only way to be fair was to order two more FR-12s (lol; I'm crazy). I ordered them from Sweetwater on Saturday evening and they arrived today (Monday morning).
I immediately setup for some testing in stereo (not wdw yet).
Note: Take all this for what it's worth. I tested I in my space with my guitars, my FM9, and my ears. YMMV
So far my opinion is holding. I prefer the FR12 for guitar sounds--it just feels a bit more like a real cab. It's the fullness or resonance of the low end I think. It feels more "girthy" and it's a significant difference. The PXM fees more snappy/punchy in the low end.
I used models of a Deluxe, AC-30, JVM orange, and VH-4 and feel that both are great with both low to high gain. I do slightly prefer the FR12 when directly a/b'ing but the overall listening/playing experience is fantastic using either and I'd absolutely be happy with either setup (or even a mix).
While I prefer the FR12 for guitar sounds specifically, I think I prefer the PXMs for recorded music. Maybe? That's much closer. The PXM seems a tiny bit more detailed as a speaker, so a little more hi-fi. My impression is that the PXM is probably a bit flatter but I could be wrong. Of course neither of them is gonna be like a super hi-fi home or car audio speaker or have the detail of a great studio monitor, but both of them sound good enough for playing to backing tracks and such (I ran my iPhone through the FM9's input 2).
I like the control layout of the FR12, with individual knobs and power switch on top which makes adjustments very simple and intuitive--more guitar-like. The PXM's adjustments are low and on the side and you adjust them in a (simple) menu system. The FR12 has bass, middle, treble, and high cut. The PXM has bass, middle, and treble, and you can adjust the center point of the mid control. I didn't adjust the controls during this testing (I did a little when I tried the first one) but I think that high cut on the FR12s would be super handy.
The FR12 only has a single input. That makes it fne for a modeler but less useful as a PA speaker. The PXM has three inputs so it would be better if you want to hook up multiple devices (I need to remember to hook my synth up).
The PXM also has phantom power so you can use it for a vocal mic or something.
The PXM has waaaay more options in terms of DSP/control. Different modes, presets, etc.
The PXM is physically smaller; the FR12 is a couple lbs lighter. I find the carrying experience is a little better with the FR12. The handle is on top and feet on the bottom like a combo amp. The PXM's handle is on the side so when you set it down you either set it on its side and risk scratching it up or you tilt it while setting it down so it lands on its feet. That just feels a little more awkward.
They both can be set at a few angles (swing out legs on the FR12). The PXM is pole mountable. The FR is not.
The FR12 has a more guitar-centric aesthetic.
Ambient hiss is minimal on both.
All in all, both of these are really good with the FM9. I don't think you can go wrong with either for use as an FRFR for a modeler.
