Is Atomic CLR worth the high price tag?

SteveD61

SteveD61

Inspired
Hey Guys

I have a Fender FR12 and a listing for a used Atomic CLR has come up in my local area (about half the new price).

Could someone with expereince tell me if the Atmic CLR is substantially better than the FR12?

My other option in to trade the FR12 for an FR10 as I'm getting older and really like the smaller form factor of the FR10

Cheers and thanks
 
The CLRs are excellent, but the issues mentioned by Dave are real I fear. I still have two of them, but recently replaced them with two FR10's which I think sound better.
 
Dave Merrill said:
I've never played one myself, but there are some really common things people say: They sound great, they're not reliable long term, and support is poor to non-existent, to the point of possibly taking your money and delivering nothing, not even the amp you shipped to them.

Wish it wasn't true, but search here, see what you find.
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It's true their support has pretty much disappeared but I have been using them for years (original non Neo & now Neo MK II) & have never had a problem. Of course you hear more from people who do have issues, especially when they can't get support, than people with no issues but to say they are inherently unreliable is thoroughly unfounded. Also, Fender's support for the FR's has certainly been less than stellar!

To the OP, CLRs are 33lbs & since they are monitor shape, a little cumbersome to move around.. The FR-10 is 26lbs.
 
CLR is clearer, flatter and a LOT louder imo but I wouldn't trust buying one at this point. FRs are really good overall and happy I have mine.
 
I have two OG CLRs that I was lucky to repair with the help of a forum member, and I have two CLR Neos that still work fine after years now. But having experienced the non-existent customer service of Atomic I cannot recommend buying anything from them.
Soundwise they are both great and identical, really close to good studio monitors though frequency range is reduced bottom and highs - not needed for guitar purposes.
 
I have both the FR12's and pair of CLR's pre neo version. CLR's are superb and worth the praise but factor in the customer service issues that are well known. I've had mine since about 2012 and still run fantastic. that being said , since getting pair of the FR12's and when just playing my guitar...I havent really touched the CLR's much since. For guitar playing the FR's will serve you more than well.
 
So I have two CLRs purchased new. MKII neo. Work fine. Pristine.

Are the FR12s better sounding? Or do I just want one because?
 
My friend has an FR12, but he finds it a touch boomy, so he’s swapping out for an FR10, since it’s also a bit smaller and lighter, and has played through them and feels it’s the right FRFR for him.

I have a pair of Red Sound Elise 8’s and a pair of Matrix CFR12 wedges with a Matrix power amp. However, live I use IEMs anymore, and don’t bring cabs. I like both systems that I already have, though. The Eli’s 8’s sounded great at a recent rehearsal, cranked up, and they kept up with the drums & bass just fine. The other guys were very impressed.
 
rushfan said:
My friend has an FR12, but he finds it a touch boomy, so he’s swapping out for an FR10, since it’s also a bit smaller and lighter, and has played through them and feels it’s the right FRFR for him.

I have a pair of Red Sound Elise 8’s and a pair of Matrix CFR12 wedges with a Matrix power amp. However, live I use IEMs anymore, and don’t bring cabs. I like both systems that I already have, though. The Eli’s 8’s sounded great at a recent rehearsal, cranked up, and they kept up with the drums & bass just fine. The other guys were very impressed.
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It's the form factor if the Elis that keeps me from buying one. Doesn't look very pragmatic on (small) bar scenes. Have a single CLR neo that sofar never showed any problems and sounds "kickass" ; it will blow up any bar we play when I push it too far (so I try not to). The neo is about 33lbs which is acceptable imho. I love it's 2 input channel concept which makes me using it as a backline and band monitor, which would be mandatory for any replacement unit I'd buy. I would have liked to get a second one for stereo use but the after sale problems of Atomic get too much publicity not to be true.
Maybe I might want to try an FR12 just to see what is the hype about this fr-fr amp.
 
The CLR was intended to be a true FRFR, and to have a relatively even pattern across most frequencies.

The FR-12 is a very different animal, IMO. It’s not so much Full Range, Flat Response as Useful Range, Spikey Response. So URSR. Not to be confused with the old Soviet states.

Anyway, I think the FR-12 is fine if you want something that has readily-available tone and volume controls and you want the cabinet resonance that an amp often has. But I don’t think of it as FRFR.
 
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