Is Atomic CLR worth the high price tag?

I had 2 MkII Neos which worked perfectly, and I used them for a few years mostly at home but sometimes on stage too. I got an FR12 as I liked the idea of having BMT controls, and was curious how it compared, and ultimately the CLRs sounded amazing, but the FR12 was close enough for me to say I felt comfortable just using the FR12. Overall the CLR were better, but honestly it was the fear of them failing on me that pushed me to sell them in the end. I am sad they have gone, but I love the FR12 still and have no regrets. At least with the FR12 I know it is supported if there are any issues with it, and that is the biggest point.
 
Dave Merrill said:
Are you saying that if you have to be closer than 4 feet, your PXMs sound better?
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The PXMs don't sound better, they sound different which I think is because of the way that EV and Red Sound want their products to sound.

The ELIS.8 are a bit more musical to my ears, possibly they're tuned for the guitar's range, because a 1x8" fits the guitar's frequency response better than a 1x12". The PXMs seem to have more highs and lows because of the difference in their woofer size, 1x12", and because they're designed to be stage monitors and reproduce the sound of everything. That's partially born out in their normal angle, which is more tipped back than the ELIS.8, and lets us use them at our feet. If you have to stand next to the PXM you'll get more highs. That doesn't result in "better", again it's just different.

I recently sold my PXMs because I wasn't using them nearly as much as the ELIS.8/PRO pair I have. While the PXM can get a lot louder, I don't need or really want that volume, that's what FOH is for.

I like having the ELIS cabs behind me, tipped back against the wall a bit. They're loud enough to drown out the drummer if I want and their sound really blooms once I get above 90dB. The PXM were better when we didn't have a FOH and needed cabs that could act more like a backline because I could face them forward and crank them and make my pants flap.
 
I've been using 6 CLR's ordered in the last 3-4 years as mains and monitors. I really like the sound. I don't really use them more than once a month. I recently got 2 Yamaha DZR15's for monitors for bass and drums so 2 of the CLR's are mostly backups.
 
I have three Atomic CLRS v1. All have failed and require at least $500 a piece to fix. Common faults caused by the units running hot include power supply failure, pots dieing, and bi-amps failing. All caused by excessive heat. I now run two USB powered fans on the heat sinks to try and mitigate against more out of pocket pain. I've tried Headrush ( crap), Yamaha DBR ( so so), Laney FRFR ( awful midrange honk), Mission Engineering. The Atomics sound best . I might try pick up at Fender FR10 if only to mitigate against more repairs.

As follows:
Work completed .
Connect for initial testing. Pop noise from inside and then no sound from the unit. Dismantle and noted on all amplifier modules a swollen electrolytic capacitor and discoloured capacitors - evidence of heating. Found High Frequency module not fastened down correctly so there was insufficient heat transfer to the heat sink. No output voltage from the power supply. Possible faulty amplifier module damaged the power supply. Replaced power supply and fitted three replacement amplifier modules. Mount with heat sink compound and all mounting screws. Remove grille to clean out speakers - dust and grit. Re-assemble the unit. Test operation. All OK
 
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Peter_Mengede said:
I have three Atomic CLRS v1. All have failed and require at least $500 a piece to fix. Common faults caused by the units running hot include power supply failure, pots dieing, and bi-amps failing. All caused by excessive heat. I now run two USB powered fans on the heat sinks to try and mitigate against more out of pocket pain. I've tried Headrush ( crap), Yamaha DBR ( so so), Laney FRFR ( awful midrange honk), Mission Engineering. The Atomics sound best . I might try pick up at Fender FR10 if only to mitigate against more repairs.

As follows:
Work completed .
Connect for initial testing. Pop noise from inside and then no sound from the unit. Dismantle and noted on all amplifier modules a swollen electrolytic capacitor and discoloured capacitors - evidence of heating. Found High Frequency module not fastened down correctly so there was insufficient heat transfer to the heat sink. No output voltage from the power supply. Possible faulty amplifier module damaged the power supply. Replaced power supply and fitted three replacement amplifier modules. Mount with heat sink compound and all mounting screws. Remove grille to clean out speakers - dust and grit. Re-assemble the unit. Test operation. All OK
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Jay Mitchell posted over on The Gear Forum about a solution for overheating with the original versions (which he designed, I believe).
 
unix-guy said:
Jay Mitchell posted over on The Gear Forum about a solution for overheating with the original versions (which he designed, I believe).
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Jay’s fixes do work, and got both of my CLR Neos working again, and will work for you if you:

1. Can do the work yourself, or
2. Like me, were fortunate enough to know someone who could.

Jay is a cool guy who was really generous with his knowledge and time throughout that thread. Kudos to him for helping a lot of stranded CLR owners. I’m enjoying the CLRs again, though I use the PXMs for gigging still. I use the FR12s for rehearsal, and still have an RCF NX12SMA that gets some use too.

I need to put up a FRFR Warehouse sign. :oops:
 
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