Advantages of FRFR Speakers: 4 Massive Reasons To Make The Switch

Can you use an FRFR speaker to record AND play live? Yes – here’s everything you need to know about the advantages of FRFR speakers…

FRFR speakers, or Full Range Flat Response speakers, have become increasingly popular among musicians in recent years.

For those that desire the cleanest possible tone, the complete lack of noise or dirt on their tracks, an FRFR speaker is a godsend.

You’ll need to know what kind of speaker impedance you want but once you know this choosing an FRFR speaker is a breeze.

And because prog metal, stuff like what Periphery do, is now so popular, cleanliness is now very much next to godliness when it comes to guitar tone – both in live situations and in the studio.

Plus, there’s loads of great and affordable FRFR speakers available right now.

In this post, we’ll explore the main advantages of FRFR speakers, covering why people use them, how they compare to traditional amps, and why more and more guitarists are switching over to them.

Let’s do this…

Benefits of Using FRFR Speakers

Advantages of FRFR Speakers for Sound Quality

Traditional guitar amps are designed to color or shape the sound of the guitar to create a specific tone.

They often use a preamp and EQ circuit to enhance certain frequencies and add distortion or overdrive to create a desired sound.

The output from the preamp is then sent to a power amp, which amplifies the signal and sends it to the speakers.

FRFR speakers, on the other hand, are designed to reproduce sound as accurately as possible without adding any color or distortion to the signal.

They have a flat frequency response, which means that they reproduce all frequencies equally without any emphasis on specific frequencies which makes them ideal for musicians who want to reproduce the true sound of their instrument without any alterations.

To achieve this, FRFR speakers often use digital signal processing (DSP) to ensure that the sound is reproduced as accurately as possible.

The input signal is analyzed and adjusted to ensure that it is reproduced with the correct balance of frequencies.

The signal is then sent to a power amp, which amplifies the signal and sends it to the speakers.

FRFR Speaker Pros – Accurate Sound Reproduction

• Clarity: FRFR speakers reproduce sound with greater clarity and detail than traditional guitar amps.
• Accuracy: FRFR speakers reproduce sound more accurately, ensuring that your music sounds exactly as it was intended to.
• Consistency: FRFR speakers produce consistent sound across different frequencies, ensuring that your music sounds the same whether you’re playing low or high notes.

Versatility

FRFR speakers are also more versatile than traditional guitar amps. They can be used for various instruments and music genres, making them a great investment for musicians who play different styles of music.

You can run any instrument through a guitar amp, of course, but as noted in the section above: the amp will add color to the sound. For some players, this is part of the appeal of guitar amps. It’s why some guitarists use Marshall cabs and others use Mesa Boogie.

But if you’re looking to dial-in a pitch perfect tone, either from your guitar or a piano or a synth, and you just want the pure signal, unimpeded by a traditional amp’s nuance, then an FRFR speaker is what you want to be using.

FRFR Speaker PROS – They’re More Versatile

• Compatibility: FRFR speakers can be used with a wide range of instruments, including guitars, basses, keyboards, and electronic drums.
• Flexibility: FRFR speakers can be easily adjusted to suit different playing styles, making them ideal for musicians who use different effects pedals or want to experiment with different sounds.
• Range: FRFR speakers can handle a wider range of frequencies, making them suitable for playing different genres of music.

Portability

If you’ve been on the road with a band, you’ll know the worst part of nearly every day, save for the smells you encounter in the van and the hangovers, is lugging your equipment from one venue to another.

This is another area where FRFR speakers have significant benefits over traditional amp and cab combos. FRFR speakers are much smaller and, therefore, easier to transport around to gigs and recording sessions.

Of course, if your tone is dependent on your amp and cab, this is a no-go. But for guitarists looking to upscale their rig into something smaller and digitally-focussed, an FRFR speaker rig could be just what the doctor (or chiropractor) ordered.

FRFR Speaker PROS – They’re Smaller & Lighter

• Size: FRFR speakers are smaller and more compact than traditional guitar amps, making them easier to fit in a car or carry around.
• Weight: FRFR speakers are lighter than traditional guitar amps, making them easier to carry around without straining your back.
• Convenience: FRFR speakers are designed for easy set-up and tear-down, making them ideal for musicians who need to move their equipment around frequently.

Customization

FRFR speakers offer several advantages over traditional guitar amps, which can provide additional capabilities and flexibility to musicians.

Here are some things you can do with an FRFR speaker that you cannot do with a guitar amp:

• Use it with a wider range of instruments: While guitar amps are designed specifically for electric guitars, FRFR speakers can be used with a wide range of instruments including acoustic guitars, bass guitars, electronic drums, and keyboards. This means that musicians can use one speaker for all of their instruments, instead of having to purchase different amps for each instrument.
• Achieve a more accurate and natural sound: FRFR speakers have a flat frequency response, which means they reproduce all frequencies equally without any emphasis on specific frequencies. This allows musicians to achieve a more accurate and natural sound without any added coloration or distortion that is typical of guitar amps.
• Use modeling software and plugins: FRFR speakers are compatible with modeling software and plugins, which simulate the sound of different amps, cabinets, and effects. This means that musicians can create a wide range of tones using just one FRFR speaker and a computer, without having to purchase different amps and pedals.
• Use it as a monitor for recording: FRFR speakers can be used as studio monitors for recording, allowing musicians to hear their recordings with more accuracy and detail. This can be particularly useful for mixing and mastering, as it allows musicians to hear the nuances of their music more clearly.
• Use it for live performances: FRFR speakers are designed for live performance, and can provide a more consistent sound across different venues and PA systems. Additionally, FRFR speakers are often smaller and lighter than traditional guitar amps, making them easier to transport and set up for gigs.

FRFR Speaker PROS – Loads of Customization Options

• Adjustability: FRFR speakers can be easily adjusted to achieve the perfect sound for your needs, whether you want more bass, treble, or mid-range.
• Connectivity: FRFR speakers offer more options for connecting to other equipment, such as audio interfaces or mixers.
• Flexibility: FRFR speakers can be used with a wide range of amps and effects pedals, allowing you to create a unique sound that reflects your personal style.

Final Thoughts

As a guitarist, the decision to buy an FRFR speaker ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Or, whether you’re a complete amp/gear head. If it is the latter, you might view FRFR speakers as the work of Satan.

However, there are definitely benefits to using FRFR speakers. And if you’re still not with me, here’s several compelling reasons why you may want to consider investing in an FRFR speaker.

• FRFR speakers offer a more accurate and natural sound compared to traditional guitar amps. With a flat frequency response, FRFR speakers reproduce all frequencies equally without any added coloration or distortion. This means that you can achieve a more authentic representation of your guitar tone, without any added effects or enhancements that may alter the sound.
• FRFR speakers are highly versatile and can be used with a wide range of instruments, including acoustic guitars, bass guitars, electronic drums, and keyboards. This makes them a more cost-effective option compared to purchasing different amps for each instrument.
• FRFR speakers are compatible with modeling software and plugins, which can provide access to a wide range of amp, cabinet, and effects simulations. This means that you can experiment with different tones and effects using just one FRFR speaker and a computer, without having to purchase different amps and pedals.
• FRFR speakers are highly portable and lightweight, making them an ideal choice for gigging musicians. They can be easily transported to different venues and set up quickly and easily, allowing you to focus on your performance rather than worrying about your equipment.

And here’s a list of the three best FRFR speakers you can buy right now.

Richard

Richard has been playing guitar for over a decade and is a huge fan of metal, doom, sludge, and rock music in general – though mostly metal. Having played in bands and worked in studios since the early 2000s, Richard is a massive music production geek, a fan of minimalist recording techniques, and he really likes old-school guitars.

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