Which FR212 did you go for in the end? Shame about the Gemini as it seemed such a good buy for everything I want/need.. but if getting hold of it in the UK bumps the price up that much its not worth it for me.
I got the Matrix FR212 - it's passive and using just one channel of my GT1000FX in 'Stereo' (dual mono really) mode is plenty loud enough.
It's larger than an average 2x12 cab to make room for the HF driver and horn - but still light and portable due to the neodyn magnet speakers used. I suppose I could use 2 for stereo but if I ever downsized my car I'd never get 2 transported to gigs and have room for guitars, rack and bag. Stereo on stage rarely sounds spread out - but it does seem to 'clean up' some modulation effects and enables time based fx like enhancers or doubling stuff without mono summed phasing issues.
The slightly oversized 2x12 format also means there's a decent 'thump' from the cab too.
You're in Wiltshire I see .... it could be in your interest to contact Matrix and arrange to go actually have a hands on try out at their HQ with the various offerings?
Your other option could be 2 of their Q12 passive cabs - more expensive but the form factor means you can split the 2 of them up to fit when transporting and spread them a bit on stage if there's room ... or stack them etc.
Ede Wright has a YT video of him comparing 2 Q12a's (in passive mode) and a FR212 running with a GT1000FX (cleanish tones - but thats good for demo'ing dynamics)
I actually like the sound of the 2 Q12s just as much as the FR212 but for different reasons - they do seem to sound less 'clear' compared to the FR212 but sound more 'conventional like' while still having the full frequency response. I'd still want to be there to hear the difference with my own ears before deciding ..... and be prepared to spend the extra for 2 Q12s of course
Other brands would be Atomic - they distribute in the EU from a warehouse in Ireland - so that means what you see is what you pay if you build an order via their web store and delivery is cheap. You have the choice of passive cab or wedge format. Again though, it starts to mount up money wise when you buy 2 of anything! Thats why the Gemini 2-P is so tantalising yet so annoying due to import duties .... but at least I'm FRFR now and can get used to it for a while even if it is 'only' mono ..... any further decision to go to 2 12 inch cabs can be made later if I feel it necessary.
I'd say my ideal set up would be 2 12 inch FRFR cabs eventually actually .... gives you a lot of options. Mono with one cab in tight places, stereo in larger places, more placement options etc etc. It's just a lot of money to shell out and I'm not risking that until I'm 100% sure FRFR is for me.
Like yourself I really would like to stick with my Matrix as then I can use anything that is presented at a gig if I didn't have a cab with me..
Yes ... that too as long as you have a set of presets made to suit conventional cab use (EG routing the 'no cab block' Matrix Amp/Cab feed via Output 2 outs and sending a cab block included feed via Output 1 to FOH feed etc)
I have been using a couple of 1x12 conventional cabs so I'll keep my current presets in banks reserved for that set up - my FRFR set up will have it's own bank(s) and all I'll need to do is hopefully just change the output settings in the I/O menu to suit either - IE 'stereo' or 'Sum L + R'
