Hi Guys, I have been testing both the Atomic CLR and Mackie DLM 12 for over a week . My neighbors in my apartment building, are up in arms about this as I use the looper to go back and forth, same licks and chords over and over! For the record, I would not want to live next to me. Five neighbors in 3 years agree. I play/write rock, metal and ballads. As I usually sing and play at the same time, I tested out all three styles INCLUDING vocals on the second channels of each. Both approximately same price range, with similar bass potentials. Eq adjustments on both. The DLM has a more extensive DSP and is 13lbs lighter with a "kick stand" style of tilt adjustment. 1st review is to guitar ONLY. Best EQ for in the floor monitor position for the DLM 12, was the JBL clone setting or solo, all the others were lame, weak or honky for guitar(LP, Strat, and Tele). Best EQ for the Atomic CLR, was tilt position. Just right amount of bass eq. On chords and leads, both were good at low bedroom levels. The different model nuisances are there, but less apparent. At higher DB levels the difference becomes more dramatic. The DLM 12 lacks the presence and articulation when played next to the CLR at the same volume. 2nd review with vocals. When I put vocals through the 2nd channel of each speaker using a TC Helicon GXT harmonizer with the TC MP-75 Mic, the transparency issue was glaringly apparent. The DLM 12 eq that sounded good for guitar was unusable for vocals. The dsp for the 2nd channel gave me some latitude but it was a definite workaround. The CLR sounded like a Meyers pa cab, Sweet, transparent and effortless to sing and play though. No need to adjust anything different for vocals. In conclusion, 1st, my neighbors are glad this is over. 2nd. The CLR is a outright winner for my needs. I will say the DLM 12 could have its place too. If I played low volume gigs, OR got it 200-300 cheaper on sale, OR had a back problem, OR did not need vocals , the DLM would do the job(if you don't have them side by side to compare). I have owned and used the AXE FX with a FBT 15ma, a 100 watt Mesa rectilinear amp with a Mesa Rectro over sized bottom cab and a Mesa Boogie DC-5 combo. Each had their strong points. The CLR does them all. Soft, it does, what the combo was best at. Loud, in drop D, the CLR gives me what got from the oversized Mesa cab and amp. A friend who plays keys in touring national acts, who was around for one day of testing, put it in these words " the DLM sounds like a good hi-fi speaker. The CLR sounds like a great guitar speaker. I asked him to clarify, he said," Like hearing a CD recording of a guitar versus listening to live guitar" These are my opinions and that of my friend based on gear we have owned to compare it to. I bought both out of pocket with no compensation received from either company.
