Atomic CLR quality, but less power... does exist?

Quote from e_del

Weight considerations apart, I think that at (relatively) low volume, a smaller amp can be turned up and work better than a big one at 1 or 2 (on a scale of 10)... right?

There is no benefit to "pushing" a neutral speaker (IOW, any FRFR monitor).

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And especially at these low volumes I don't want to compromise sound quality.

I fully understand your interest in smaller size and lighter weight. There is, however, no compromise in sound quality in using a CLR at any volume, not matter how low.

Same Quality, lighter, smaller, easier to handle, same sound but also the same power = Matrix Q12A or CFR12

With a profiler (or any modelers) you don't have to push tubes or speakers to get your tone because all of this is already in the profile (or the model). If you really don't need gig power (no drummer and a very intimist session) maybe a quality studio monitor could do the trick for you? I sometimes use one when I jam with a guitarist and a bassist. Lightest solution!

Quote from Pick909

With a profiler (or any modelers) you don't have to push tubes or speakers to get your tone because all of this is already in the profile (or the model). If you really don't need gig power (no drummer and a very intimist session) maybe a quality studio monitor could do the trick for you? I sometimes use one when I jam with a guitarist and a bassist. Lightest solution!

Yes and no.

Remember that we perceive sound differently at different volumes. So while a good FRFR speaker will produce the sounds the same way at different volumes, we will hear it differently. This phenomenon was described back in the 1930s by a couple of Bell Lab scientists, and the effect is shown across the audible spectrum as the "Fletcher Munson" curve.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fletcher%E2%80%93Munson_curves

What this means for us in using good FRFR speakers is that we must make EQ adjustments for lower volume playing in order to perceive our tones the same way we do at louder volumes.

Matrix NL12 and a EHX Magnum 44 or 22 Caliber ?

I 2nd the Matrix Q12a. Awesome little devil.

Quote from possie

Matrix NL12 and a EHX Magnum 44 or 22 Caliber ?

Matrix NL12 is an amazing speaker 12" only 7 kg. But it is neither powered nor FRFR, but a normal guitar cabinet.

So I doubt it will fit OP needs.

Thats why i complemented it with the EHX pedale to power it. I was thinking outside of the box, sorry

No problem in that at all, but the way i read the OP he is looking for a FRFR solution. But could also be me who read it wrong.

That have happened

Your idea however would give him a ridicolously lightweight setup, with an amazing sound, so might be worth to try out.

My two cents:

I'm in the same boat. I would like to carry only 2 blocks. I've been trying a couple of solutions: MatrixGT1000FX (awesome lightweight, powerful & great sounding poweramp!) + guitar cab, pair of DXR10s (awesome small footprint, powerful PA cabs!), and more recently a Camplifier 180 (awesome great sounding, no-footprint poweramp) + guitar cab.

To me, the latter solution works best so far. The Camplifier allows me to match the toaster with pretty much any guitar cab, or a non-powered FR cab.

I am currently using an ENGL 2x12 cab and it sounds great. Very loud if you need it to.

To the OP, I completely understand where you're coming from. I have been using an RCF nx12 as a wedge for about the last year and while I'm really happy with it I find that it is a little heavy and cumbersome to haul to small gigs and lacks any place for me to actually set my toaster making set up a little more awkward than it should be for simple small show.

I just received the matrix Q12a yesterday and should have time to check it out over the next few days/this coming weekend. I'm optimistic that the sound will be to my liking because the footprint sure as hell is: my full setup is now not much larger than a Fender Blues Junior!

That said, if you are looking for something smaller it couldn't hurt to pull out your old M-Audio, especially if its just sitting around idle!

If be interested in knowing how the mackie dlm8 or dlm12 would measure up. So compact!

I tried the Dlm12 ( the rep is a friend) and found it could get very loud, but sounded a little boxie. But the size and weight were awesome.

Quote from e_del

So far, the best solution seems the CLR wedge (quite heavy) or a Matrix Q12A (lighter, comparable quality)...
But I'm wondering if for low volumes exist something even smaller (10" or 8") of comparable quality...

I'm using the Q12a, lighter than the CLR and still a very good cab, here's a little shootout about CLR, Q12a and Camper 112 CX.

For lower volumes I'm also using a AER AG-8 , very light (8 kg), 8" speaker, 60W, quite "big" sound for the small size, but for sure CLR or Q12a are a different story.

My Q12a just arrived this morning!!! It is a very well built, small cabinet.

I'm really looking forward to firing it up this afternoon. Yippee!

Quote from bluzkat

My Q12a just arrived this morning!!! It is a very well built, small cabinet.

I'm really looking forward to firing it up this afternoon. Yippee!

Congrats!

I'm very interested to hear what you think of it.

Quote from guenterhaas

I'm using the Q12a, lighter than the CLR and still a very good cab, here's a little shootout about CLR, Q12a and Camper 112 CX.

For lower volumes I'm also using a AER AG-8 , very light (8 kg), 8" speaker, 60W, quite "big" sound for the small size, but for sure CLR or Q12a are a different story.

The AER is another great product from Recklinghausen, home of the Kemper.