Hello all. First post here as I am just now venturing into the Axe-Fx land. I have done a lot of research, and my head is spinning trying to figure out what type of speaker/cab solution will be the best fit for me. I would really like to go the FRFR route (FR212, CLR, etc.), but I am concerned that it is going to involve to many compromises/challenges that might not make them the most ideal solution for me. Does anyone have any other FRFR options that I might want to consider, or is either the FR212 or CLR going to be the best compromise for a big amp in the room feeling, that is capable of full range audio playback, with good low volume performance, that is relatively easy to dial in decent patches for, which can also easily translate to being decent with headphones, and is a portable all in one solution.
I wanted to keep the first post short and sweet, so below is some additional background for those who cared to read the whole story…
I wanted to go with a cab/wedge based FRFR option because (1) I mostly do cover stuff and like to jam out with backing tracks, (2) I need something that works as good as studio monitors at lower volumes (think medium TV volume that just drowns out string noise), (3) I was looking for the solution that would allow my patches to translate into headphones (Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 ohm) without too much extra tweaking (FYI I know the challenges and limitations with headphones as I have a POD HD500), and (4) I wanted something that was relatively easy to move around the house (so I can jam out with it on the couch in front of the TV watching sports).
I am just an obsessive hobbyist with a great basement study/jam room, so I do not need to consider all of the things that real giging musicians do. The concerns I have with FRFR is (1) I want/need the “amp in the room” feel when I have a chance to play at loud enough volumes to move some air with the speakers (this is a meaningful part of the inspiration/gratification for me), (2) I mostly play modern rock with high gain and can get into heavy baritone level downtunings at times (basically think Chili Peppers to Chevelle and everything in between), so I was looking for something that could sound “huge” when I needed without too much fuss, and (3) I am worried that FRFR would require too much effort tweaking things to sound right compared to simply using a real 2x12 cab and dealing with the limitations on tonal variety. Note, I recently moved across the country for a new job that is demanding right before my wife delivered our first kid, so I don’t have the ability to spend an inordinate amount of time tweaking things to just to get started with some a halfway decent tones instead of actually playing during my limited free time.
From what I could gather the closest thing that might get me the one stop shop solution that I am looking for could potentially be the Matrix FR212 with the GT1000FX amp. From some posts that I have read this option can apparently provide a decent big and rich real cab feel and is a decent performer at lower volumes, but I have also read other conflicting posts that are not as positive. The Atomic active CLR wedge seems like it could be a plausible solution, but from what I could gather this is not really a decent route is feel was a big concern. If I had to compromise on feel, I could still consider simultaneously running the CLR with my Mesa Roadster and 2x12 Rectifier cab with V30s when I needed the real oomph when I get to crank it up (this looks possible by running a FX out block from the AXE before the power amp and cab IR simulations into the recto FX return while also running the full simulation output to the FRFR input). This seems like it could be a real pain to try to mix volume levels with backing tracks though, and I would very much prefer to not have to mess with multiple systems just to add the feel back. The Matrix NL212 cab seems like it can provide the real cab feel with a reasonable level of tonal versatility. However, (1) I am not sure how good the NL212 is at lower volumes, (2) it would require me to keep my stereo in my study for the backing tracks, which I was really needing to free up for use in another room, and (3) it would not be a single portable system for backing tracks. The cheapest solution would be to get studio monitors (KRK Rokit 8s perhaps) and do the same simultaneous thing with the Roadster as the CLR option, but the additional tradeoff is it would not be an easily portable solution at all.
Any insight that anyone can provide that might clear up my misconceptions, help me feel more comfortable choosing one of these options, or lead me to another decent option to consider would be much appreciated. Many thanks in advance for the help!