Speakers/FRFR cab for a Kemper/FM3/etc?

danny_777

Thanks to all your good advice I've purchased a Fractal FM3, which is on the way!

I thought amplifying it would be a straightforward matter.... how wrong I was. There are monitors, speakers, FRFR, cabs, headphones..... good god it's a rabbit hole - one I was not prepared for!

The Friedman FRFR cabs seems to be well loved, although I don't need to gig with it so am not sure if that might be a bit OTT.

I like the idea of a stereo setup, but I don't want to compromise too far on sound quality.  I've got nice speakers/amp for my music but I'm not sure how suitable that would be for guitar.

Any views on this?

The little Headrush units seem rather well reviewed - I thought I could get one of those then another if I like the sound?

bloodandtears

I use a Laney LFR112 and I think it's great.. very loud and the form factor is much more to my liking.. so much so that I will be switching it up to a LFR212 in due course.

Dontgiveupyourdayjob

If you're not needing it to be loud enough for gigging, and you want a stereo setup, then the obvious choice would be a good set of studio monitors. 

paulmapp8306

OK - 2 general ways of doing this.

1.  FRFR.   Makes use of cabinet/speaker IRs which gives you  the widest tonal variation.   HOWEVER, its a "recorded" sound.  Its what you hear on a record, its what you hear in studio headphones when recording.  Its not what you hear as a guitarist in front  of an amp.   There are some solutions that try to get some of that feeling back, some are better at it that others.   Some people love this way of doing things, others just dont gel with it.    If you go this way there are many options.  any PA can would do this (obviously the better quality the better sound), specialist FRFR monitors like the Friendam you mention and Matrix stuff, plain headphones, studio monitors - and yes even a Hifi.   Some suit home use, others live use better.

2.  Traditional cab.    This treats the modeller as an amp head basically.   You plug it into a power amp (valve or SS - normally rack but there are options such as the Fryette Power station as well) and a regular guitar cab.  You gain a much more failure "players" perspective BUT you loose sonic flexibility.   Its like having loads of heads and plugging them all into your favourite cab.   many find this the most satisfying and happily forgo the cab irs.

Nobody can tell you which way you will prefer..... You need to try.

In your case, you have a decent home Hifi - and as long as you have an external input that is compatible (1/4 jack is ideal but you may bee a custom cable or converters to go jack to phono for instance).  You know how it sounds, you know how the music you listen to -= and the guitars in particular sound on that.   Id be using that initially to see how you like FRFR (and stereo).   If you like it - then you can just keep it that way OR invest in an FRFR solution dedicated to guitar (at home I would always tend to a pair of studio monitors -= stereo and flat(ish) response).   If you dont, then you can try the alternative or a power amp and cab.
 

Jim54

If you've already got a cab then you could get something along the lines of a Matrix GT800FX or GT1000FX power amp.  I use a GT1000FX/Matamp 2X12 cab with a Kemper and it gives a great amp in the room sound/feel.  I've also got an Alto TS112 FRFR. Takes a bit getting used to compared to an amp/speaker cab but can give good tones (and there are far better options than the Alto out there).
I will also do late night noodling through some Rokit 5 monitors and enjoy that too.

If you have a guitar amp with an effect loop you can also use that (put the FM3 through the return of the loop. I did this with a Lonestar head a few years back and the tone was great.

markslade07

bloodandtears said:

I use a Laney LFR112 and I think it's great.. very loud and the form factor is much more to my liking.. so much so that I will be switching it up to a LFR212 in due course.

I’ve got the LFR112 too. Only used at home but really liking it so far. Looks a bit like an amp too which will be preferable to me for gigging

Jonathanthomas83

2 Genelec 8010 active monitors, done

Wazmeister

Jonathanthomas83 said:

2 Genelec 8010 active monitors, done

Exactly my set up

Benm39

Ah, my huge thanks to the OP @danny_777 for posting exactly the thread I was going to having also just put my name on the wait list for an FM3!

The Genelec monitors look a good option if I don't want to put through a 212 cab (Creamback M and Neo Creamback) and presumably I can use the FX return of my Mesa V:25 in the interim whilst I consider/save for something like an SD Powerstage or similar? (as also looking at a setup to put a BeatBuddy through separate to guitar amp n cab)...

Time to get saving some more I guess hehe 

imalrightjack

Redsound RG12 is my tip.  A powered cab, angled 1 x 12 and absolutely tremendous.  Made in Italy and a huge recommendation.  I've owned many an FRFR, including £2k plus ones (Mission Gemini 2, etc.), and this is my favourite.  They have had a bit of love on here from others too.

exocet

imalrightjack said:

Redsound RG12 is my tip.  A powered cab, angled 1 x 12 and absolutely tremendous.  Made in Italy and a huge recommendation.  I've owned many an FRFR, including £2k plus ones (Mission Gemini 2, etc.), and this is my favourite.  They have had a bit of love on here from others too.

I quite agree although I'm tempted to partner mine with the new MF10 version for stereo fun.
Since the announcements regarding the winding down of lock down, I've somehow got 4 gigs booked....so simply have to buy more gear....

John_A

Dontgiveupyourdayjob said:

If you're not needing it to be loud enough for gigging, and you want a stereo setup, then the obvious choice would be a good set of studio monitors. 

This.  A cheap option, depending on what you go for and more than loud enough for home.  You can use them to play music through too, and they won’t take up half your house.  IMO something like the red sound or Friedman is way OTT for home playing (says the guy who just bought a JVM for use at home)

danny_777

Well, I've bought some Sennheiser HD600s and they're doing the trick so far! I didn't enjoy the "feel" of the FM3 through my regular hifi set (which isn't bad) but it's great through headphones. I wonder if that's a personal preference thing, rather than something that can be solved somply by spending more cash?

mrkb

Does the FM3 have the room settings in the cab block? It’s worth experimenting with that if you’re using headphones.

Wazmeister

imalrightjack said:

Redsound RG12 is my tip.  A powered cab, angled 1 x 12 and absolutely tremendous.  Made in Italy and a huge recommendation.  I've owned many an FRFR, including £2k plus ones (Mission Gemini 2, etc.), and this is my favourite.  They have had a bit of love on here from others too.

This is the best option, imho, and Ive tried and giigged several...

The whole moDELLINg thing is about which speakers you play it through.

Ive just snagged the used Redsound that was on this forum; Im amazed nobody went for it !

I have 3 set up options hence, with the FM3;

1. Genelec 8010s 
- my home setup - sounds great and has brilliant stereo.

2. Redsound RS12 
- live/rehearsal/church
- the RS can also be used with the Genelecs, and the PA, and a real amp.

3. Redsound plus real amp
- 2 output from FM3 into my Matchless/ TMDR

4. FM3 into a real amp
- FX only, maybe into the Matchless loop

Woodandwires

I have a pair of Genelec 8010’s I intend to use at home, so I am glad you think so highly of them for home usage waz

Voxman

danny_777 said:

Thanks to all your good advice I've purchased a Fractal FM3, which is on the way!

I thought amplifying it would be a straightforward matter.... how wrong I was. There are monitors, speakers, FRFR, cabs, headphones..... good god it's a rabbit hole - one I was not prepared for!

The Friedman FRFR cabs seems to be well loved, although I don't need to gig with it so am not sure if that might be a bit OTT.

I like the idea of a stereo setup, but I don't want to compromise too far on sound quality.  I've got nice speakers/amp for my music but I'm not sure how suitable that would be for guitar.

Any views on this?

The little Headrush units seem rather well reviewed - I thought I could get one of those then another if I like the sound?

I have a Headrush FRFR108 for my Pod Go and Vox Tonelab SE. In a word...unbelievable!  I'm that impressed that I'm getting a second one once gigging and rehearsing come back.

First time I plugged it in with my Pod Go I simply couldn't believe that what I was hearing was coming from something so small that only had an 8" speaker!  The sound quality is phenomenal and MASSIVE. The bottom end has to be heard to be believed, in a good way. Rated at 2000w, the 108 can be positioned several ways on the floor or can be pole mounted. Price is under £200.  

I bought it for home use, rehearsals and small clubs where PA might be limited or where I could use as a rehearsal or gig monitor cab. 

There is a FRFR112 that has a 12" speaker. Broadly it's the same 2000w but near double the size and weight (the 108 is 19lbs, the 112 is 36lbs...that's a big difference!),  but  it's only around £50 more expensive.  For my needs the FRFR108 is perfect, particularly as size and weight are key considerations. 

Phenomenal value, seriously loud, great quality and tone, I think you'd be hard pushed to find better, even at twice the price.

Kebabkid

I'm not a modeller owner or user, but I'm seriously considering  the FM3 at the moment and my money would be on a Redsound for the FRFR.

My friend is the UK distributor for Redsound and was offering forum members a discount at one point - https://www.clearsoundmusic.co.uk/

I've heard the Redsounds being tried/tested/compared and being used live with both a Kemper and Helix - the comparison tests were with PA speakers, a Yamaha DRX and Atomic cabs and there was a boutique valve amp on hand, too. For me, the Redsounds were streets ahead and that 'in the room', 'more amp-like' sound is definitely there with them and they work really well on bass, too. I also didn't find the cab directional and it felt like I was playing through an amp and modelled sounds seem to come alive and sound a little more natural.

The RS cabs aren't big or heavy and have enough volume for live, but also sounded fine at whisper/home levels. However, if you want a stereo set-up for home, maybe a pair of good studio monitors might suit you better, but the Redsounds are good

exocet

Kebabkid said:

I'm not a modeller owner or user, but I'm seriously considering  the FM3 at the moment and my money would be on a Redsound for the FRFR.

My friend is the UK distributor for Redsound and soI've heard them with both a Kemper and Helix and also when they've been compared to PA speakers, the Yamaha DRX and Atomic cabs and they're streets ahead. That 'in the room', more amp-like sound is definitely there with them and they work really well on bass, too.
I also didn't find the cab directional and it felt like I was playing through an amp.

They're not big or heavy and have enough volume for live, but also sounded fine at whisper/home levels. However, if you want stereo for home, maybe a pair of monitors might suit you better but the Redsounds are good

Any idea whether the newer Redsound products (MF10 and ELIS.8) are exclusive to G66?

Kebabkid

exocet said:

Kebabkid said:

I'm not a modeller owner or user, but I'm seriously considering  the FM3 at the moment and my money would be on a Redsound for the FRFR.

My friend is the UK distributor for Redsound and soI've heard them with both a Kemper and Helix and also when they've been compared to PA speakers, the Yamaha DRX and Atomic cabs and they're streets ahead. That 'in the room', more amp-like sound is definitely there with them and they work really well on bass, too.
I also didn't find the cab directional and it felt like I was playing through an amp.

They're not big or heavy and have enough volume for live, but also sounded fine at whisper/home levels. However, if you want stereo for home, maybe a pair of monitors might suit you better but the Redsounds are good

Any idea whether the newer Redsound products (MF10 and ELIS.8) are exclusive to G66?

I do not but contact Peter at Clearsound and he'll confirm. I'm also not sure what's happening post-Brexit
The Redsounds are around 16kgs (37lbs) in weight
Sorry, I amended my original message

Nikc

I've mentioned it before I use a fishman loud box mini (line in)with my hd pro x - it sounds awesome, and I've got vocals ready to roll as well every time I flick the switch. Its not the obvious solution but an acoustic amp is just a small form PA really - it just works