Suggestions for more "traditional" approach?

gtrgriff3 · June 12, 2014 at 9:34 AM

I typically use my KPA with in-ear-monitors live or in the studio with reference monitors.

Once in a while I'll bring out the CLR when the IEMs don't need to be there.

But lately I've been wanting to use it in a more traditional amp/cab format where I'm playing a real amp in a real room.

Ideally probably a 1x12 size... maybe a 2x12 depending on size and weight.

What's the best option out there, Matrix? Xitone? I'd rather not wait on the Atomic wait list again for a Cab.

My KPA is passive, so I'd need a power amp too unless the speaker is active.

And yes, I know I can put the CLR on a pole, or on its side, or whatever, but it still doesn't quite have the pant-leg-shaking feel of a big cabinet that I like once in a while. Sometimes an old guy just needs more air moving.

Thanks for any insights you have before I take the plunge.

Lokasenna · June 12, 2014 at 2:21 PM

Xitone's offerings are FR, so that won't do you much good. Matrix have a great reputation but they can be crazy expensive if you aren't in Europe. I'd suggest looking at Avatar cabs, or Mojotone. They're both pretty well-regarded, have a ton of style choices, and reasonable prices.

Alternatively, you could give the Mission Gemini Duo a go: http://missionengineering.com/?product=gemini-duo - it has a FR speaker and a guitar speaker, so you can switch between them if you feel like it.

Zappledan · June 12, 2014 at 2:37 PM

Before you spend a lot of money, try using a Fender Mustang III via the effects return. Numerous people here on the forum run with one of these off the monitor output of the KPA.

viabcroce · June 12, 2014 at 3:42 PM

At 130 dB peak, the CLR can shake anything out of you. Just cranck the volume up

burningyen · June 12, 2014 at 3:47 PM

There are 2 CLRs for sale over on The Gear Page, no waitlist.

rothko61 · June 12, 2014 at 5:56 PM

So you have a CLR and you are looking for pant-leg-shaking, aren't you?
I agree with Viacroce: volume up and you will get underwear-balls-shaking...

viabcroce · June 13, 2014 at 3:08 AM

Here follow what Mr. Mitchell, CLR's designer, wrote on the matter:

Quote

CLRS VS 4x12"

Q: There's a physical sensation standing in front of a hard-driven 4x12 that's hard to duplicate with a 12" FRFR speaker system without painfully high SPL.

A: If you're driving a 4x12 hard enough to experience a "physical sensation," then someone is being subjected to "painfully high SPL." The apparent difference is more likely due to differences in placement/aiming of guitar cabs vs. FRFR speakers than to any other difference.

Q: Maybe it has something to do with having a mini-wall of 400+ square inches all moving more or less in unison.

A: Uhh, make that 280 square inches. The surface area of the moving portion of a 12" speaker cone is ~70 sq. in.

Q: If you get a 4x12 cab your moving a lot more air then you are with just a k12 or other FRFR monitors.

A: I have explained in detail more than once why this is a myth. In the case of most guitar-specific speakers, a well-designed 1x12 FRFR system can "push" more air than a 4x12. There's a whole lot more to "pushing air" than the nominal size of the transducer cone. The volume velocity capacity of a well-designed 12" woofer is more than four times that capacity for typical guitar 12" speakers. So it is altogether possible - likely, in fact - that a well-designed two-way system with a single woofer can "move" more air than a 4x12 guitar cab. This is not always the case, but neither does the "moving air" comparison always favor a guitar cab.

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Of course, it's implicitly stated that the CLR can do the trick

Lokasenna · June 13, 2014 at 3:41 AM

It might be worth asking - what are you using for a power amp?

gtrgriff3 · June 13, 2014 at 1:21 PM

Well I guess I asked for that with my original question

I use an active CLR now and it's great - don't get me wrong.

A head through a 4x12, however, just has a different vibe than a profile of that same head through a CLR. I'm not saying one is better, they just serve a different purpose. (if I run the same head through my torpedo live into the CLR it's the same as the profile... the cab is the difference here.)

There a certain "thump" factor, for lack of a better word, that a big cabinet provides. And I've cranked up the CLR and it sounds fantastic... just not quite the same.

No worries, I figured on the answers I got and I'll look into some options.

SpiritSeeker · June 17, 2014 at 9:11 PM

I hear ya man and completely agree with your need for that thump in your face sound.

Let me first say I don't play metal, Never got the whole screaming metal vibe. I do play blues, country, jazz, and rock. I also play classical/flamenco, but that is for another discussion.

I have tried a number of FR and FRFR solutions including the Matrix and CLR offerings but finally moved to a traditional cab with a tube amp. I could not get the sound from FR and FRFR speakers that I grew up on.

Long story short, I finally decided to run the KPA into a Fryette 2/50/2 with a Port City 2x12 sporting two Jensen Blackbird speakers. The PC 2x12 sounds as full as a 4x12 due to it's ported design. The KPA has the Cabs disabled, and the sound I get rivals any traditional amp/cab combo I have tried.

For me, my style of playing and the feel I want, this has been a complete revelation.
Good luck.

BTW, I also have a small Suhr Corso 5 watt amp with a Port City 1x12 that sounds great with the KPA and does't take prisoners.
Great for the studio/house.