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2250 Views 14 Replies Latest reply: Mar 31, 2012 6:36 AM by gortur RSS
TrashJuice Just Startin'
TrashJuice
8 posts since
Nov 25, 2011
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 25, 2012 1:35 PM

Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

I have only used headphones so far to play thru my HD500, and that is nice.  But of course I want to play "out loud". 

 

I have narrowed it down to three choices: Tech 21 PE, 12" FRFR powered speaker, and 15" FRFR powered speaker.

 

I play both guitar and bass, though guitar is primary.  I play primarily modern metal (think Periphery, Born of Osiris, etc), indie rock like Explosions in the Sky, and blues (SRV).  Pretty varied.

 

The Power Engine seems like it would "feel" most like an amp.  FRFR seems like it might be more accurate, and the 15" especially would seem like a good match for the bass (especially once 2.0 finally hits and we finally have a bass amp model).  All have pros and cons.  I am looking for some additional thoughts to aid in my decision-making process.  Any ideas?

  • mikekobe Just Startin'
    mikekobe
    3 posts since
    Apr 28, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 25, 2012 2:12 PM (in response to TrashJuice)
    Re: Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

    I use the Power Engine with very good results but just for guitar. I don't think it would work for bass.

  • kmathia Just Startin'
    kmathia
    1 posts since
    Feb 18, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 25, 2012 3:27 PM (in response to TrashJuice)
    Re: Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

    I've been using the Power Engine for about a year. It works perfectly with the HD500 (also used it with my XT Live before I upgraded). Tech 21 amps are the BEST!!!

  • johnnyayyy Iknowathingortwo
    johnnyayyy
    1,170 posts since
    Feb 24, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 25, 2012 7:34 PM (in response to TrashJuice)
    Re: Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

    TrashJuice wrote:

     

    I have narrowed it down to three choices: Tech 21 PE, 12" FRFR powered speaker, and 15" FRFR powered speaker.

    Which FRFR speakers are you considering?

  • mdmayfield Just Startin'
    mdmayfield
    353 posts since
    Feb 24, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 25, 2012 8:09 PM (in response to TrashJuice)
    Re: Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

    I use a QSC K8 (8" speaker) and couldn't be happier. It has all the bass you could ever need for a guitar.

     

    I did not get a chance to try the PE60, and the main reason I didn't consider it much was that I was concerned the PE60 would not have the extended high frequency response to sound good on acoustic patches on my Variax with no electric amp sim. If you get a chance to compare a FRFR PA-style speaker with the Power Engine 60, and have a Variax, I would be curious to hear what you think about how the acoustic sounds work through it.

  • jasonbogen Just Startin'
    jasonbogen
    357 posts since
    Sep 24, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 25, 2012 11:28 PM (in response to TrashJuice)
    Re: Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

    Between my X3 Live which I used with bass and my HD500 which I have used very little with bass, I have used 4 PA speakers (Behringer 215A, Mackie Thump 15, EV ELX112, QSC K12), 4 Keyboard Amps (Yorkville 50KB, Behringer K3000FX, Peavey KB4, Roland KC550), Power Engine 60 and the DT25.  I don't use it for bass currently, but did for a few years.  I use a Variax and go between acoustic and electric.  Without bass the DT25 has been the best.  The PE60 just wasn't as good as I was hoping so I got rid of it and got the DT25.  When I was using my X3L for bass though I was using a keyboard amp.  The Behringer actually sounded really nice, but it died.  I used the Peavey for a long time and it didn't sound as good as the Behringer, but I beat the crap out of it and it kept working.  Then I got the KC550 and that has been great.  Works really well with everything.  Keyboard amps are essentially a PA in the amp form factor which I like.  Of the PA speakers I actually like the EV because it is comparable in quality to the QSC and costs much less.  The Thump was decent, but not great.  Anyway, I would recommend a keyboard amp, but if you are going to go with a PA speaker take a look at the EV.  For the most part, the guitar amps just aren't going to cut it for bass.

    • TrashJuice Just Startin'
      TrashJuice
      8 posts since
      Nov 25, 2011
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 29, 2012 2:24 PM (in response to jasonbogen)
      Re: Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

      I decided to go with FRFR.  I play downtuned heavy music along with bass and I wasn't convinced an open-backed 12" guitar speaker was going to do the job.  I'm testing the 12" and 15" versions and returning whichever option isn't the best.

      • johnnyayyy Iknowathingortwo
        johnnyayyy
        1,170 posts since
        Feb 24, 2010
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 29, 2012 8:38 PM (in response to TrashJuice)
        Re: Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

        TrashJuice wrote:

         

        I decided to go with FRFR.  I play downtuned heavy music along with bass and I wasn't convinced an open-backed 12" guitar speaker was going to do the job.  I'm testing the 12" and 15" versions and returning whichever option isn't the best.

         

         

        I think you made the right choice, I have a PE60 and I doubt it would be great for bass.

         

         

        Let us know how it goes. If those speakers work out for you you may be the first to have found an FRFR solution in that price range, so far everything I have seen under $450 has been reviewed negatively with the speakers being either too boomy sounding or underpowered. I have never heard of that brand but I did see the specs looked pretty good on those speakers ((±3dB): 65Hz-19kHz on the TS112 and 53Hz -19kHz on the TS115) so I am hoping you have found a winner.

        • TrashJuice Just Startin'
          TrashJuice
          8 posts since
          Nov 25, 2011
          Currently Being Moderated
          Mar 30, 2012 9:06 PM (in response to johnnyayyy)
          Re: Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

          johnnyayyy wrote:

           

          I think you made the right choice, I have a PE60 and I doubt it would be great for bass.

           

           

          Let us know how it goes. If those speakers work out for you you may be the first to have found an FRFR solution in that price range, so far everything I have seen under $450 has been reviewed negatively with the speakers being either too boomy sounding or underpowered. I have never heard of that brand but I did see the specs looked pretty good on those speakers ((±3dB): 65Hz-19kHz on the TS112 and 53Hz -19kHz on the TS115) so I am hoping you have found a winner.

           

          I haven't gotten the 15" yet, it's supposed to arrive Tuesday.  The 12" sounds good but I haven't really put it through its paces yet.

           

          Here's a review from someone that has used the Axe Fx Ultra and I think the Pod XT w/TS115a's. - http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/gear-equipment/185222-new-frfr-day-alto-ts115as-hd-video.html

           

          And then there's Will Chen's writeup on Frugal Guitarist, using the HD500 and the TS112a - http://www.frugalguitarist.com/post/2011/04/03/The-Search-For-an-Affordable-FRFR.aspx

           

          I am sure the EVs would've been great, same for the QSCs.  But for me I think this will turn out to be a very good purchase, whether it's the 12" or 15" that I keep.

    • mdmayfield Just Startin'
      mdmayfield
      353 posts since
      Feb 24, 2007
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 30, 2012 6:43 AM (in response to jasonbogen)
      Re: Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

      That's right - the KC550 probably sounds great! Have fun hauling it around, though.

       

      I used a KC500 (very similar) and it was really good; it was loud enough and had enough bass for V-Drums at practice. But it was really heavy and didn't fit well in my car, so I traded it in for a KC150.

       

      The KC150... was terrible for this purpose. It clipped audibly when driven anywhere close to gig level. I only used it for 2 gigs and got fed up with it.

       

      That's when I got the QSC. It was really painful to spend that much on a little speaker, but it was worth it. It only weighs 27 lbs. In two years I've never reached the volume limit on it at a gig; and I've used it as my only un-mic'd amplifier at some pretty loud shows (not "crazy metal" loud, but painful-without-earplugs "rock" loud).

       

      I hear good things about the new EVs as well, and if they really are close in quality to the QSCs at a cheaper price, they would probably be an amazing deal!

      • jasonbogen Just Startin'
        jasonbogen
        357 posts since
        Sep 24, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 30, 2012 8:15 AM (in response to mdmayfield)
        Re: Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

        Ha...true.  It's why I tried to make it with the Thump for a few gigs.  So light, but just not good enough.  Anyway, I was hauling a Peavey KB4 which was bulkier, heavier and didn't sound nearly as good.  I did like the idea of the handle with wheels on the Peavey better than the casters on the Roland, but in practice, the handle was hard to slide out and the wheels were too small so it was a pain.  I used the Peavey for 4 years before getting the KC550 from my Dad when he also gave me his Roland RD700GX.  Talk about heavy!  Anyway, I had used the KC550 from September until a few weeks ago when I got my DT25 stack.  Part of the reason I chose the stack was because of the weight.  I would rather carry two relatively light pieces than one big heavy one.

         

        As for chosing a speaker, I would definitely recommend trying the EV's for anyone who wishes for the QSCs.  For anyone interested I got the B stock from American Musical Supply for $479.  They were perfect and in fact I forgot they were B stock until just now.  Here is the link:  http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ELE-ELX112P-LIST .  They are heavier than the QSC's at 41lbs because the cabinets are wood, but they are quite compact.  Just a HUGE deal.

  • gortur Just Startin'
    gortur
    38 posts since
    Sep 19, 43371
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 31, 2012 6:36 AM (in response to TrashJuice)
    Re: Tech 21 Power Engine vs. FRFR speaker for HD500

    +1 for the Atomic Reactor.

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