I think the two should be really close - maybe LVC is more sensitive to a certain low frequency. I havent played a CLR - though Im interested (in a passive) along with the Matrix. I have played through the Matrix and also with acoustic and program music - sounded fine to me, not "guitar cab" flavoured at all. I can say after hearing the Matrix against some other floor monitors (including the RCF, but not an Atomic) - and my own studio monitors in the same room, the Matrix was much much closer to the studio monitors than any other solution. Of course not all studio monitors are the same either - so maybe my Events also have slightly cut bass?
Either way, I dont think the CLRs would be boomy given the amount of positive reviews and by Jays expertise here, nor do I think the Matrix are overly mid hyped from my own experience with them v studio monitors. I just think its horses for courses - some prefer one some prefer the others which is cool.
I had assumed the Atomics would be more pricey than the Matrix in the EU (well the UK to be precise) so my choice would be the Matrix (in Jul/Aug when I have the funds) - but from the pricing released and a quick £/$ conversion there actually about the same price - almost to the penny, which makes the choice that much harder.
Paul,
This is the best, most balanced and thoughtful post I've ever seen from you, I commend you for it.
It is possible what I perceived as Boomy with the Atomic Active CLR Cab has nothing to do with the cab itself but how it is being amplified?
........
No Laz, the active wedge and cab are both measured as a "package", so the combination of the cab and amp is flat, objectively measured.
That you prefere another solution is entirely your prerogative, and I'm glad that you found something that really works for you - doesn't make the CLR boomy though.
I suspect that it is your presets that have more low end contend in them than you like and thus are responsible for the boominess you're hearing.
You've come a long way with your Axe in a short time, but - and I mean this in the best and most friendly way possible, not in the slightest in a parental way - when you have lived with it a bit longer, and have gotten to know it even better and have had a few more aha-moments with it to fully understand what it is and what it can do, then I think you'll realize that the Axe II + a flat FRFR system has a lot of advantages over a traditional head and cab combination, and has a lot more range and frequencies that it can and does reproduce, thus you have to approach it a bit more in like a engineer would in regards to what frequencies you'll want reproduced from your guitar to get the absolute most of it, this is the way Scott, myself and quite a few other long time Axe users approach it.
It becomes second nature at some point, and although I had a lot of studio experience before I got into the Axe, this approach has thought me so much, and I benefit from these lessons each and every time I hit the stage or the studio and each time I interact with an engineer, a band member or a sound tech.
Also this approach allows me to get perfect representation for both my electric and my acoustic guitars through the same system live and in the studio and for my bass guitar in the studio. That's really a big deal to me.
By the way, anyone in the Washington DC area who wants to try one or both of these can email me to set up a time to come by and give them a whirl. The only caveat is that I live in a townhouse so you can't play at gig volumes.
guitarjim, I salute you, that is an extremely generous offer by you.
I'll pass since I'm located in Europe
but I'd love to audition the CLR and Matrix side by side.
I've never heard the Matrix gear, but I'm sure it is great and I'd love to review it.