I am currently looking for another amplification option for my lunchbox.
I am active in two bands. My forever gig is a lead guitarist position in a band that gigs all summer long at wineries, private organizations, benefits and one big national festival. The other gig is as a bassist in a Primus-ey kind of band. The latter just arose recently.
I was an early adopter of the KPA, long before the powered options and floorboard came to be. I was very pissed off when the powered options became available and it still angers me that Kemper does not offer a retrofit power solution... so, I'm using an Alto TS112 for stage volume which has been fine for me until recently. It's a bit boomy but easily eq'd out. Then I start playing bass with the Primus-ey project and the alto is struggling to keep up with the way too loud guitarist's Mesa 412 during rehearsal. Bottom line is, I need another FRFR to replace the Alto in band A and add to the Alto in band B.
I've been doing lots of research on the matter and I've come to conclude that it's not as easy as I'd hoped. I have read so many opinions it's ridiculous. I found a good deal on an Atomic Reactor FR 50 watt tube powered cab. On paper (or LCD in this case) it looks great and if you look at opinions from a few years ago, it's the bees knees. Today, the general consensus is that it is shit. The idea that it is 50 watt tube makes me feel warm and fuzzy because until the KPA, I was a die hard valve guy. How can opinions change so much. If the cab sounded great a few years ago, why does it not still sound great? I'm talking about the same reviewers gushing about it a few years ago and trashing it today....makes no sense.
So TODAY the general consensus is;
A) The Atomic CLR is the be-all, end-all option, crafted by god himself
B) Aside from the CLR there are really only about 3-4 options available for a good sounding FRFR
C) In any case, you're spending $600-$1200
I cannot justify spending $1000 on the CLR. The Yamaha DXR10 seems like the obvious choice but i would like to find more options, maybe going stereo.
Are there any hidden gems out there that are under the radar?
The ever-changing opinions on FRFR options
- glenharris1971
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If you're handling low end duties, I'd suggest going with the DXR12 or even the 15. That's synth style lows, I couldn't figure out if you were playing bass in the second band.
I would avoid anything that uses tubes for amplification, because it will colour your tone. What you want is something that represents the Kemper tones without any colouration. Tubes will do that to you.
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Hi Glen
If you are also going to use the monitor for bass i would recommend the Yamaha DXR 15. I tested both the dxr10 and the 15 in the store and the sound very much the same exept for a bit more bass response as for the 15" driver which could come in handy bassguitar wise.
You can also drive the dxr 15 a bit louder if you have a issue with loud drummers or mesa 4x12 as you said:)If you have the chance go check some monitors out and find the one you like the most.
Someone on the forum stated that the most important part is how the audience hears you, but it is also nice to have a monitor that inspires your performance.
If you sound good you play good kind of idea. -
Xitone
Almost CLR quality.
Cheaper.
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I'm using a full range bass cabinet for both bass and guitar. If you need to double up on bass, you might want to consider something designed to handle the low end rather than something designed as a general purpose monitor or modeling guitar solution. Bass cab designers really go the extra mile to provide deep clean bass using expensive high excursion woofers that allow them to tune the boxes lower without the "boom-box" hump. Also, many modern bass cabinet designers make flat response cabinets for the modern hi-fi bass guy.
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Well, from a (standard) guitar perspective, I also would highly recommend the XiTone monitors. I have a powered KPA rack, so I use a passive XiTone wedge. However, XiTone also offers an active monitor, as well.
I know that the Atomic CLR gets a lot of high praise, as well, here on the Kemper forum. It is an excellent FRFR solution. However, I refused to patronize Atomic Amps (the company), due to other reasons...predominately related to a personality closely associated with the development and release of the CLR monitor. Luckily, there are other equally excellent alternatives, such as the XiTone.
Now, with all that said, I am not sure either the XiTone or the CLR will be optimized for when you switch over to your bass guitar application. IMHO, you probably want a monitor that is specifically designed for the lower frequencies of a bass guitar. This may entail something with a 15" driver. Would something like the XiTone, the CLR, a Yammy DXR12, or one of the newer Alto TS212 monitors still work for a bass guitar application? Well, yes. However, it may be somewhat of a compromise, as alluded to previously by @Klappy.
So, approaching this from a bass guitar perspective and scenario, I would second the recommendation by @Xander, and would advise you look closely at the Yammy DXR15.
If you are on a strict budget, then you might want to check out the newer generation Alto TS215:
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Soooo....Thought I'd give you guys an update.
While I was browsing for a deal on one of the 5 or 6 FRFR's that I wanted, I found an Alto TS210 at MusiciansFriend for $179 shipped, no tax. I needed something to give me just a little extra volume for rehearsal for bass and a smaller unit with a little less bass for guitar vs my 112. Maybe the hype on the CLR's will come down in 6 months or so and I could grab one at a reasonable price. I think this Alto will hold me over just fine as I have been very happy with the 112 version.
I am on a bit of a time crunch here and for $179 I can't complain. -
2 DXR10's in stereo. The 10's will give you plenty of bass. Many bass cabs run on 10's.