Should I Upgrade My Setup to FRFR or Stick with My Current Rig?

[overstreet1995]

I recently got some old gear back that I bought years ago when I didn't know much about equipment. It's a POD HD Pro X, an Orange Jim Root Signature 2x12 cab, and a Crown XLS1002. I had it set up with two instrument cables from the POD to the Crown, and two XLR-to-speaker cables into the cab. I've been tweaking it and getting decent results, though I wish I’d done more research back then.

Now, I'm debating whether to stick with this setup or switch to an FRFR (Full Range, Flat Response) speaker. Would the FRFR route be better in terms of sound and convenience? My current setup doesn't let me fully utilize/get good sounds out of the cab sims, but I’m getting good tones with a lot of adjustment. Is it worth upgrading, or should I save money and make do with what I have?

Also, what FRFR speakers would you recommend? I've been eyeing some used Line 6 Powercab 112 Plus models. For those who use FRFR, how loud can they go?

Lastly, with my setup, I'm using the unbalanced output on my POD to the Crown. Would switching to the balanced XLR output improve the sound? Would better cables make a noticeable difference? Currently, it's two unbalanced instrument cables to the Crown, then XLR-to-speaker cables in stereo to the cab.

[silverhead]

The decision of whether to switch to FRFR and cab sims boils down, imho, to the decision of whether you want the so-called ‘amp in the room’ sound of live play or the mic’d amp in the studio of recordings. The latter gives you much more variety in terms of tonal possibilities. That’s what I’ve always used so I can’t personally compare it to amp in the room but some people try FRFR for a while and then go back to a physical amp/cab. 
 

If you play gigs in places that mic your stage amp then the difference is between what you hear on stage vs. what your audience hears thru the PA. There are other considerations but I think that’s the most significant in terms of tone.

[PaulTBaker]

if you gig, another consideration is ease of setup and use.  depending on your use, you can get some very good FRFR's that are small, light, and easy to setup.  For me, that is a big priority.  For example, in one band I'm playing in, the other (very good) guitarist plays through a marshall jmp 60 and a 4 12 cab.  sounds good, but is heavy and hard to transport.  He recently changed to a tsakils mothership and an frfr.  way easier to transport and more flexible in the practice space.  I tried to sell him on the helix, but it just had too many options for him.  he just wants to plug and play.

[overstreet1995]

Thanks for the insights! You both bring up some really good points, and it’s definitely making me think more critically about the decision. I haven’t played live recently, but it’s something I’m aiming to get back into, so ease of transport is a huge factor. I could see how a more portable setup like FRFR would make things smoother.

When you talk about the ‘amp in the room’ vs. ‘mic’d amp’ sound, that’s something I’ve been considering too. I love the organic feel of a cab, but I think I might be ready to try out the flexibility of cab sims and see if it fits better with the tones I’m chasing now. I guess the only way to know for sure is to experiment, right? Do you have any FRFR speaker models you’d recommend specifically for heavier genres like metal or djent? I’ve heard good things about the Line 6 Powercab, but are there other contenders worth considering?

Also, about the balanced XLR output from the POD to the power amp—would that give a noticeable improvement in sound quality or reduce noise compared to the unbalanced setup I’ve been using? I’ve always just used whatever cables I had lying around, but now I’m wondering if better cables could really tighten up my tone.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

[silverhead]

The most important factor in choosing an FRFR solution is its intended use. If you primarily want a stage monitor for gigging then something like the PowerCab would be best. Understand that if you are sending the cab sim signal from Helix direct to FOH the stage monitor is only for you; perhaps a regular stage monitor with your own mix would suffice.
 

However if your primary use will be in a home studio for practice and recording then I  would suggest a good pair of studio monitors,  minimum 6” but preferably 8” or even 10”. As mentioned the occasional gig could be handled by a dedicated stage monitor, whether your personal device or provided by the house.

 

In terms of balanced cables, it depends on cable length. For 20’ or less I don’t think there’s any appreciable signal loss. If longer than that go XLR.