BBN
Fractal Fanatic
I’ve been trying to write this for a while….as Mick let me try one of these cabs probably 6 weeks ago.
In short – if you like open back cabs, this is an outstanding solution.
I set it up side by side with an RCF NX12ma (which I’m a big fan of).
I think the DSP had 9 different options, but I only needed a couple.
First setting sounded excellent with all of my patches that were dialed in on Studio monitors.
Patches translate very nicely = win!
I started with some clean patches and man did the XiTone sound nice. Big open sound and my effects sounded outstanding. Pan over to the RCF….still sounded great, but the XiTone sounded bigger and more lively. That’s the first time that has happened.
I then went to a mid gain patch and same result….it sounded just excellent. AC/DC tones were glorious.
Next went to Hi-Gain….in this case, the XiTone sounded as you would expect a high gain amp to sound though an open back cab….it was not as tight as my sealed wedges (like the RCF). It’s not a bad thing, but an open back cab does not lend to fast djent palm mutes (IMO). The XiTone reacted just like a regular open back guitar cab would have.
There is a reason I use a sealed cab for high gain tones (I remember when I got a Mesa Half Back 4x12…..tried it, and immediately put the second panel on to make it a fully sealed cab. For fast palm mutes, I need tight tight tight. So while the XiTone Open Back would be my preference for clean/mid gain….my RCF/XiTone 1x12/Atomic CLR sealed wedges would be my choice for high gain tones.
I then tried the DSP settings where the tweeter was turned off, effectively making it a powered guitar cab. When trying this, I disabled my Cab sims.
Surprisingly, my patches translated really well. They sounded very similar to when I was in full range with my cab sims on. This is a very usable option if you are not a fan of FRFR.
In summary, this is Mick’s best work to date. If you’re a fan of open back cabs and want that amp in the room feel…..this is a great option.
In short – if you like open back cabs, this is an outstanding solution.
I set it up side by side with an RCF NX12ma (which I’m a big fan of).
I think the DSP had 9 different options, but I only needed a couple.
First setting sounded excellent with all of my patches that were dialed in on Studio monitors.
Patches translate very nicely = win!
I started with some clean patches and man did the XiTone sound nice. Big open sound and my effects sounded outstanding. Pan over to the RCF….still sounded great, but the XiTone sounded bigger and more lively. That’s the first time that has happened.
I then went to a mid gain patch and same result….it sounded just excellent. AC/DC tones were glorious.
Next went to Hi-Gain….in this case, the XiTone sounded as you would expect a high gain amp to sound though an open back cab….it was not as tight as my sealed wedges (like the RCF). It’s not a bad thing, but an open back cab does not lend to fast djent palm mutes (IMO). The XiTone reacted just like a regular open back guitar cab would have.
There is a reason I use a sealed cab for high gain tones (I remember when I got a Mesa Half Back 4x12…..tried it, and immediately put the second panel on to make it a fully sealed cab. For fast palm mutes, I need tight tight tight. So while the XiTone Open Back would be my preference for clean/mid gain….my RCF/XiTone 1x12/Atomic CLR sealed wedges would be my choice for high gain tones.
I then tried the DSP settings where the tweeter was turned off, effectively making it a powered guitar cab. When trying this, I disabled my Cab sims.
Surprisingly, my patches translated really well. They sounded very similar to when I was in full range with my cab sims on. This is a very usable option if you are not a fan of FRFR.
In summary, this is Mick’s best work to date. If you’re a fan of open back cabs and want that amp in the room feel…..this is a great option.