Eminence FDM technology........thoughts??

[Buckeyedog]

I also posted this on the GP as follows:

Got to see the Eminence factory yesterday and it was really cool. We also got to hear the new FDM speakers yesterday and they are cool too. However, the Emi guys are a bit puzzled as to why this isn't getting any traction or taking off that well.

As cool as it is, I think it's more of an application issue. Not really practical in a 412 since it's closed back. Most 112's are closed back so now you are pretty much limited to open back 112 and 212's. If you go 212, then you have to buy 2 which is now around a $180 premium vs. $90 if you buy just one. Just some of my thoughts why it's not really taking off. I'm thinking it might be cool in some OEM's, like 112 combo's or something.

Curious to hear anyone's take on this as well.

http://www.eminence.com/2010/09/emin...n-guitar-tone/

 

[blackba]

I will post what I posted in the other forum.

Here's my thoughts as to why they are not taking off well in the market:

1. Economy, whole industry is down
2. Attenuators, people that really need to knock down volume will still reach for them, from the looks of the FDM eminence speakers, they are more for taking the edge off.
3. Variety of speakers, the FDMs are only offered in 2 designs. I have spent a good deal of time and energy in matching my speakers to the amps, and it would be a big risk to try either speaker in any of my rigs
4. Closed back cab owners, you have to set it and forget it
5. One more thing to adjust. If I have a guitar volume, volume pedal, preamp volume, master volume, and attenuator, do I need one more volume control?
6. Small amp trend. Small amps have been hot in the last 5 years, thus helping people bring their volume under control.
7. Success of modelers, which are known for getting solid tones at low volumes.

 

[Buckeyedog]

I think those are great points. Some of them did not cross my mind.

 

[mjtripper]

I was really interested in these when they announced them but then couldn't find them anywhere. They only have a couple options and barely anybody will take a return on a speaker if I didn't like it and since it's an uncommon item I figured I would take a bath on it if I had to sell it. Another minus for me is at first they said it sounds the same but quieter, then they said rolls of the highs a little, which seems to be true based on the current info on their website. Since then I have found an attenuator that I can move from amp to amp that keeps the tone all the way down and it's working out better for me so I lost interest in these speakers even though I was super excited at first.

 

[fek]

I would like to try one out but I am not ready to move an M75 for that priveledge. Also, I use closed back cabs so it would be a pain to make adjustments. Goes back to the set it and forget it comment above.

 

[guitarnoize]

As an owner of 2 Reignmaker FDM Speakers I can assure you they do a lot more than just "take the edge off" you get up to 9db in volume reduction which is a lot. On my old Blackstar this was the difference between running the master on 1 or halfway with the speakers on full attenuation.

I honestly think the only thing stopping people is the price but if you don't already have an attenuator this is a cheaper option and you don't lose any tone, I set them to full attenuation and I'm happy with the sound. Looking forward to testing them with my new Ceriatone Chupa when it arrives.

 

[mjtripper]

Does the tone remain the same at full attenuation or does it roll off the highs more then the lows?

 

[guitarnoize]

It smooths out the highs a little, kind of like how the amp warms up the more the tubes are pushed