AxeFx: power amp / cab vs powered monitors?

[neilli]

I'm seriously contemplating going the modelling route, probably with the Ax8 when they're available. This would just be for home use, initially to replace my 50w heads which are just too loud for my circumstances. So basically it's for playing / practice at home, perhaps morphing to recording down the line, and I've been trying to figure out what else I should be looking to purchase and figured I'd throw it out there.

I have two boogie 4x12s and an old Tubeworks MosValve poweramp, but I'm thinking I should be looking at some sort of monitors for it to give that 'flat' response I'm supposed to need from speakers used with a modeller. I know Friedman has introduced the powered wedge designed specifically for this purpose, but is that the best solution? Would powered studio monitors be a 'better' solution?

 

[cardinal]

If interested in the Friedman, look at the B-52 wedge as well (same power amp and maybe the same dimensions for the enclosure but different drivers). Everyone at TGP loves the Atomic CLR. I have a Matrix Q12A and like it a lot.

 

[roodboy]

To start out with I would recommend power amp and your existing cab, since the cabs would give you a reference that you are familiar with to evaluate the tones.
The frfr thing can have a learning curve with IR's and some people just dont like the whole mic'd cab sound.
Then if you decide you like the modelling thing you can go frfr with monitors, which will give you more flexibility with the various IR's and better tones at low volume.
The atomic CLR is a great powered monitor.
For powered studio monitors the Equator D5 is a great choice.

 

[neilli]

Thanks for the input guys - I have a guy up here who also suggests power amp and existing cabs to start with, so as a path of least resistance, that'll probably be how I start.

Forgive the ignorance here, but what is the difference between powered studio monitors and using a good quality home hi-fi amp and regular hi-fi speakers? I have all that set up on my computer right now, and that's my audio system. What is different about studio monitors compared to good quality hi-fi speakers?

 

[cardinal]

Supposedly studio monitors offer flatter frequency response than "normal" playback systems (that many accuse of hyping low end etc). But if it's just for you practicing right now, I don't see how that really matters. If you decide to get into recording down the road and you suddenly find that your recorded tone sounds significantly different on other folks' systems than your own, then maybe you can upgrade to something flatter.

 

[CaseyCor]

I would get a cheap pair of studio monitors. That way you can compare SS power amp + guitar cab to the monitors, and you've got a nice set of monitors for recording and enjoying some music .

You can always do both at once, which I find really interesting for live use. Run one output to the monitors with cab sims ON, and another to your MosValve + 4x12 with the cab sim OFF. You'll get the benefits of FRFR with sims, but still get the feel of the 4x12 pushing air behind you.