moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

justFred

justFred

Well-known member
After years of being a tube fanatic I am finally being convinced that the modeling road is inevitable...spending years working out sounds with a variety of tube amps has been a necessary part of the overall process...it has put the sounds in my heart that are the basis of what I play...but even with my current inventory:Tweed Deluxe Clone;Princeton Reverb; and Mesa Studio .22 there are places I want to go beyond what they can do...have played around with the Fractal and Kemper initially overwhelmed with gizmo overload...after stopping and going to the basics on a friends Fractal...build a little on top of a little bit more have found some great sounds that can be locked in place for further enhancement...but even the basics are astoundly good and can be played without cranking the tuber to volumes where the great tone is not appropriate for being a good neighbor...

Long story short gong for a Fractal...big question now is what studio monitors to buy that will be best for guitar work...any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

I use a Fractal AX8...go for monitors that have the flattest response that come under budget. I use older Event monitors, and they work well. I am sure there are other options out there now.
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

well...not looking to mix something like Dark side of the Moon...just want speaker that will give me a guitar quality sound that is up to Fractal standards...my current M-Audio BX5as are not up to the task even with my 23 Boss Katana amp models...thought maybe running thru my stereo system...that was a complete and utter failure...made the little M-Audios sound like pro audio in comparison...don't really understand why a good Harmon Kardon amp with Polk speakers wouldn't work...but they absolutely DO Not...

Dollars and cents...really need to keep it under 500 to be off my wife's radar...not that I would hide anything from her but don't want to evoke a missile launch...
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

i have a positive grid head. i use a mackie thump 12. it sounds awesome. i haven't tried it out at band levels yet though
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

Assuming you mean $500 for a pair, KRK, Klipish, or even a used pair of Equater D8s. Check the Fractal forums. Those guys have tried them all.
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

Thank you...went there first...came out with info overload...got so many recommendations for so many reasons didn't know what's up or down...thought here could and have received some more focused advice...
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

Ive heard the Atomic Wedges work good but i haven't used them myself.
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

Tried a home made 300W class d amp...had to use two pwr supplies in series to get enough juice...very loud and very noisy...so ends the home built solution...

WP_20180719_18_46_39_Pro[1].jpg
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GX3--qsc-gx3-power-amplifier

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BR12--yamaha-br12-600w-12-inch-passive-speaker

After posting links above I reread the OP. You really just want studio monitors, and you won't be using this as a live rig ... right? The links are for a PA type power amp and a passive speaker. Of course, with only one speaker you miss out on ping pong delays or any other effect that relies on stereo. But a second speaker can be added later when the budget allows.

The only thing about QSC amps is the annoying fan noise. Well, it's only annoying if the amp is close to the speaker and your trying to close mic the speaker. Anyway, this is probabaly not what you're looking for, but it's approximately what works great for me.
 
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Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

Ordered a set of Yamaha HS8s...
https://reverb.com/item/13878653-yamaha-hs-8-2017-black-hs8-monitor-pair-return-b-stock-deal-sweet-monitors

Thought about all the monitor recommendations...realized couldn't possibly listen to them all...even if could am a newbie so wouldn't even know what to listen for...
Every Yamaha product ever owned has been of the highest quality...clavinova piano way ahead of its time...two Pacifica guitars that are probably the most underrated guitar on the market...so trusting in Yamaha...think it's a good bet...
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

I've heard only good things about the Yamaha set, so I think you will be fine. Research into what works live is a whole other thing.
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

I've had a set of HS8's for over ten years. They just plain 'ol work really well. There are a lot of tiny adjustment switches on the back so take care each speakers settings match. And you probably want to start with everything set flat and then adjust to taste. I'm sure you'll enjoy them. Happy tracks.
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

If you don't want to spend exhausting hours editing presets, go with a powered Kemper + TC2290 delay. Use a center cabinet (pine 2x12) for the dry tone, full range for effected stereo signal. Use the light pine 2x12 for gigs.
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

justFred said:
Thank you...went there first...came out with info overload...got so many recommendations for so many reasons didn't know what's up or down...thought here could and have received some more focused advice...
Click to expand...

I know the feeling. If it were me, I would seek out a pair of preowned Mackie HR824
 
Re: moving towards buying a Fractal Axe-FX II...what speakers to use???

I just use a power amp and going in to real cabs. Before getting to the Cab block branch off to a FX Send block and the FX Send/Output 2 jacks.
 
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