FRFR at home

[Gasp100]

Do any of you guys see absolutely ANY reason to invest in something like a QSC K8, 10 or 12 (or Verve Fbt 12ma) for home playing? I play at low volumes, I really do like my studio monitors in most situations (mainly because it's stereo). BUT, I have some cash available right now (NOT normal ;) and I feel like IF I ever jam or gig again (no matter how distant in the future) I'm locked at home until I get something for mobile FRFR. Even something as simple as jamming with a friend in town or doing tone testing with my buds in NJ is out of the question.
But the problem is justification of spending ~$600+ on something that I won't be able to use or something that won't add value in the short term.

I've tried a ton of different things just to try and I actually DO dig all of the options to a certain degree. I guess I would have to say my best experience of FRFR (even just at home) has been the Atomic FR (powered). The FBT Verve 12ma was very nice, but it did impart some white noise that was noticeable at low volume playing.
The QSC K10 looks like an ideal solution -- low(er) weight, size but still BIG sound and volume (if required).

[Guitarman19853]

I think so. At the moment I only play with in ear monitors but I still bought a QSC K10. Reason being is even with having studio monitors, I want to be able to know it will still sound good from a PA speaker. I know every PA sounds different but still. I do use it for monitoring at rehearsals and If I got back into doing bar gigs I would take it for some on stage sound.

[stvnscott]

I mostly use my AFX for studio work and run it through a 2.1 Yamaha setup in stereo. I also have a QSC HPPR12i wedge. I keep the wedge around thinking I might join another band some day, but it currently collects dust 99.99% of the time. If I did get to the point where I could use it, I would have to make all new patches for mono.

[randombastage]

I have one of the older Atomic Reactor 112-18watt amps and it works really well from low bedroom volume right up to nieghbors-call-the-police loud.
here's one from a recent ebay sale (scroll down to see it): $274 well worth that price (http://cgi.ebay.com/Atomic-Reactor-112-Guitar-Amplifier-Amp-w-Manual-/190423859912?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c562582c8#ht_7496wt_1137)

[TowMater]

I just returned a QSC K10 and got nice studio monitors instead. The K10 was great, but for low volumes I prefer the sound of the studio monitors by a pretty big margin. They sound warmer and bring out the nuances better.

[goodwill559]

I just returned a QSC K10 and got nice studio monitors instead. The K10 was great, but for low volumes I prefer the sound of the studio monitors by a pretty big margin. They sound warmer and bring out the nuances better.

I agree with this approach also.

You are refering to low volume as in the 55-75 dBSPL range?

[zygoat]

I have a QSC HPR1221 and it's way too much for home use. Much happier with the Adam A7s.

[GAD]

I have a K12, mostly for the very reasons you've listed. Here's what I've discovered in the week I've had it.

It sucks on the floor unless it's tilted up like a monitor. May or may not be a big deal, but in my room, that burns a lot of space because I can't stack things (like the AxeFX) on it.

It sounds better loud (as in outside loud). It still sounds good low, but it sounds better loud

I haven't put my finger on it yet, but I think the K12 is hurting my ears. I had this problem with a Dr. Z amp that was very bright. The SPL isn't all that high, but my ears hurt after some time with it. I think it might be harsh in a frequency that I can't hear, but which causes me fatigue.

My next step will be nice monitors, assuming my name on the Fractal Foot Controller list doesn't come up first. :)

GAD

[ripoffriffs]

Don't you have a stereo or home theater system at home? Plug it into that.

[Bajan]

I use a Verve 8ma at home. With my AxeFx and it is great. Small and sounds great. If I need to go and jam with others it will do that as well.

[c94123]

I use a Verve 8ma at home. With my AxeFx and it is great. Small and sounds great. If I need to go and jam with others it will do that as well.

Same situation for me. I also have studio monitors but find myself playing through the 8ma more often than not. I don't do stereo and the 8ma is what I'll sound like when I play with others. I like knowing that tones I play through at home will be the same as when I'm out. The 8ma sounds good at low volumes and at louder volumes. I've been very pleased with it.

[Guitarman19853]

I just returned a QSC K10 and got nice studio monitors instead. The K10 was great, but for low volumes I prefer the sound of the studio monitors by a pretty big margin. They sound warmer and bring out the nuances better.

A good set of headphones would also work for this.

[TieDyedDevil]

I'd say "no" to the question of whether a PA is overkill for home use. I have a pair of K10s and a Ksub fronted by a mixer. When the trio rehearses we run guitar and bass through their respective processors then into the board. No amps. (BTW, the bass instruments provide the rationale for having a Ksub; it's utterly unnecessary for guitar - unless you tune down to C or something...)

I have the K10s up on poles. I don't find them fatiguing. (And yes, I do use them as my stereo when I'm not playing.) I routinely boost 4K and 8K just a couple dB on my octave-band EQ, and make some pretty significant cuts in the mid-bass to compensate for an untreated room.

I also have a set of nearfield monitors that I use for mixing at low volumes, but I certainly wouldn't consider using them for performance.

To the OP: If you don't have the luxury of being able to plug into someone else's PA when you leave the house, a single K10 could be a good choice for you. It's lightweight and has *plenty* of volume. Your biggest challenge will be to dial in appropriate EQ at the volume you want to play. (BTW, if you do go with a K-series top, I'd strongly recommend disengaging the option EQ switches. Run it flat even though it doesn't sound initially as "punchy". You'll be glad of that choice when you take your processor somewhere where the PA is provided for you.)

[stratzrus]

The FBT Verve 12ma was very nice, but it did impart some white noise that was noticeable at low volume playing.
Is this also true of the K10? I assume it's not a problem with the Adam 7.

Also, is there a significant difference between the Adam 7 and the Adam 7X? Any reason to favor one over the other in this application?

[Gasp100]

Is this also true of the K10? I assume it's not a problem with the Adam 7.

Also, is there a significant difference between the Adam 7 and the Adam 7X? Any reason to favor one over the other in this application?

I guess I run my AxeFX loud enough and Adam's at noon so I don't hear any discernable hiss when playing through the studio monitors.
FWIW I have the Adam A5's which I'm sure don't hang like the Adam A7's just because of the larger woofer.
But, I can't justify getting newer/larger studio monitors which would cost the same (or more) as an FRFR option that would allow me to play 'live' at this point.

[lukeII]

I have Adam A7s that I run with my AXE FX and am really happy with them. They are balanced in the frequencies give enough low end for playing within a meter or two of the speaker and take AXE FX frequencies really well.

I bought them recently and so in theory had the choice between the A7 and A7x. I checked out what the changes were in the A7x and it was some stuff about improved hi end response yada yada yada.

Since Adam A7s are:
- still available and cheaper then the A7X model and
- from opinions I had read people said the A7 is a fantastic monitor and worked very well with the AXE FX (A7x are too new to get this type of opinion)

I saved some cash and went with the old A7. I am delighted with the result and I can also listen to music for hours without any ear fatigue and a great sound.

For home use (unless you have a sizeable place and can play loud) Adam studio monitors do the trick for me.

[Rkin1]

I use a Verve 8ma at home. With my AxeFx and it is great. Small and sounds great. If I need to go and jam with others it will do that as well.

Same here. The 8MA has a surprising amount of bass response as well when pushed.

[Stevo57]

I only play at home. Currently playing through either a Mosvalve 962 with a pair of 1x12's with CL80's in them or a pair of Rockit 5's for late night playing. I may add a set of Roland electronic drums to the kit. Any ideas what might fit my paradigm? I don't need 800 watts, but the Rockits won't handle the drums either.

[bluesdoc]

Steve, you should consider coming up here sometime to hear my FBT Maxx2a and K8 frfrs. I think you'd like either - they're remarkably similar in final sound, though the FBTs have more eq control on the back panel. The K8 mostly has bass boost (never needed with the axe). The K8 has to win a prize for the most sound out of the smallest piece of gear.

jon

[Stevo57]

I would love to do that Jon. I may actually be working in your neck of the woods at the Mendocino CDF station next year. Jobs also coming up in Weott, Bridgeville, Boonville, Cloverdale, and Pt. Arena, unless the funds get yanked.
One other thing I should mention is, I always play with a wet, dry, wet set-up. I just love the way it sounds even if it's only for my own amusement. So I would be buying two of whatever FRFR speakers I get. I'll be selling my standard now that I'm hooked on the Ultra. There goes that equity...

[bluesdoc]

Next year Steve? Well, you'll probably make some decision before then.....

Doesn't wet/dry/wet require 3 mons?

jon

[Stevo57]

Well... in an embarrassment of riches, the signal chain is:
Guitar>Steelguitar black box>volume pedal>output 1 to the Ultra/mosvalve/1X12s-
Volume pedal output 2 to Two Rock Onyx and 1X12 cab. I have to say, the tones are very intoxicating. I wouldn't want to lug it around but I don't have to fortunately. The Onyx is my favorite TR of all I've had.