Are you tired of spending hours crafting the perfect tone on your modeler, but then hearing something entirely different when you play live? Most guitar speakers tend to color your output, so what you’re hearing in the bedroom isn’t what you’ll hear onstage.
This is where FRFR speakers come in. A Full-Range, Flat-Response speaker has a completely neutral output that’ll accurately represent your tone, so you can shape it exactly as you need it.
As the powered guitar cabinet market is still quite small, we’ve rounded up the 3 Best FRFR Speakers that we think are worth the money. We focused on neutral, accurate representation of our guitar tones, along with build quality, ease of use, and overall features.
To determine the best FRFR speakers, we tested these cabinets with the same guitar (a Fender Stratocaster Player) and the same preset on our Line 6 Helix floor unit. We judged their frequency response, as well as their ‘room feel’ for the best possible sound.
Read more about our review process.
Interested in guitar speakers?
Check out our full rundown of the best guitar speakers.
Friedman ASC-12
Features: 1x12", 500w Class G power amp, Line level out
Benefits: Great for live performers, Can be used a PA speaker, Built to handle touring
Line 6 Powercab 112 Plus
Features: 1x12" speaker, Includes digital speaker models, 128 user loadable presets
Benefits: Works as backline or monitor, Easy to upgrade, Unique tones
Headrush FRFR
Features: Compact design, HR Compression driver, Light weight
Benefits: Extremely portable, Super Modeling amp response, Exceptionally clear tones
Contents
Our Top 3
- The Line 6 PowerCab 112 is our Top Pick, featuring every utility possible in a guitar cabinet while connecting seamlessly with your multi-effects pedal.
- The HeadRush FRFR-108 is our Budget Pick. It’s one of the most affordable and practical speaker cabinets and packs in more features than you pay for.
- The Friedman ASC-12 is our KGR Editor’s Choice. A deluxe FRFR with an elegant vintage design and impeccable sound quality.
Individual Reviews
Line 6 PowerCab 112 Plus Active Guitar Speaker – Our Top Pick
Our top pick, the Line 6 PowerCab 112 (full review here), is by far the most loved FRFR on the market today. It accomplishes the essential functions of a flat-response speaker and has much more to offer.
As an FRFR speaker, we found the PowerCab’s ‘Flat mode’ gave us the most precise representation of our modeled tone, much like a studio monitor packed into a guitar cabinet. Aside from the Flat mode, the PowerCab features six settings, each corresponding to the tone of a legendary speaker such as the Celestion Vintage 30.
The six-speaker EQs are default, but there is an option to have as many as 128 user presets for the frequency-response settings. This allowed us to essentially replicate any guitar speaker ever using just this one cab, and we could even make our own custom EQ for a unique sound. We love this feature because it lets us use our massive frequency response collections live and shape them to our taste.
Aside from the sound-design capabilities, we found the PowerCab’s design to be convenient. It’s well-suited for gigging and looks authentic. The cab weighs only 36 pounds, and it was compact enough to fit in the smallest car in the team (Simon’s).
The PowerCab has a foldout kickstand, so we were able to place it at an angle that directed the sound right at us. We found this to be really convenient for sound monitoring on stage.
Finally, we were able to connect the PowerCab with our Helix floor unit effortlessly. It works well with any multi-effects amp modeler, but the L6 Link software allows for exceptional integration that made it super convenient for us. Helix users will definitely appreciate this.
Verdict: The Line 6 PowerCab 112 Plus is a feature-packed, versatile, and customizable FRFR speaker that ticks all the right boxes without breaking the bank. We can confidently say it’s one of the top speakers for modeling amps available today, especially if you have a Helix Multi-Effects Floor Processor.
HeadRush FRFR-108 2000-watt 1 x 8″ Powered Guitar Cabinet – Best Budget Option
Our favorite budget option is the HeadRush FRFR-108, with its compact design and powerful 8” speaker that’s ideal for smaller gigs.
The 8” speaker may be small, but we found it has enough power and bottom-end to drown out an average 12” speaker. It offers over 2000W of peak power in a compact and lightweight body.
The HeadRush FRFR-108 weighs just 19 pounds and features a handle on both the top and bottom ends for convenient transport. We found it easy to pop it into the back of a car. The shape of the speakers allowed us to get it into an angled-backline position with ease, which blasted direct sound right at our faces.
In our tests, we saw that the plastic chassis is not as durable as its competitors (using wood or metal), but the build quality is decent. The pole-mount slot at the bottom of the FRFR-108 gave us another placement option, as it supports standard speaker stands. The foam covering over the speaker behind the grill also protects it from dust and debris.
In addition to a highly thought-out outward form, we found the HeadRush also had an excellent clear and flat frequency response across the frequency range, with decent headroom to spare when we needed it. The contour switch was also very helpful in reducing out-of-control low-range frequencies that came up when we moved between different positions, such as low to the ground vs on a stand.
The 8” speaker is powerful enough for smaller gigs, but there’s also a 12” version if you want more volume. Overall, we give this build a thumbs-up for fitting all the necessary features and superb quality into a neat price range that certainly leveled up our gigging experience.
Verdict: The HeadRush FRFR-108 is a 2000-Watt peak-power beast that comes in a compact package with an 8” speaker. In our opinion, it is one of the most affordable choices if you want a flat frequency response in an extremely convenient package that’s perfect for gigging.
Friedman ASC-12 500-watt Active Modeler/Profiler Monitor – KGR Editor’s Choice
Our Editor’s Choice is the Friedman ASC-12, which could reasonably be considered a work of art. It gave a natural amp-in-a-room’ feel to our modeled tone and made the listening experience sublime.
There has been a persistent issue among amp modelers where even accurate simulation of great amps and cabinets don’t have the same feel as an actual guitar speaker displacing real air. We found in our tests that the ASC-12 completely mitigates this and gave our tone an authentic feel like no other FRFR could, with prominent air displacement.
A lot of this comes down to the classic construction of the ASC-12. We found that the wooden body delivers the best possible acoustics in any room, while still being durable for gigging. Everything from the finish to the label reminds us of vintage high-end guitar speakers.
The wide and flat frequency response is not the only setting the ASC-12 offers. It has an all-analog class-G power amplifier. We were able to select between a flat response and a more ‘colored’ output that simulated a classic cabinet. This means that aside from being an FRFR speaker, the Friedman offers its own characteristics as well.
We found it much heavier and more powerful than most other FRFR speakers, so we recommend it for more extensive projects where you have all your rig transportation figured out.
Overall, the Friedman ASC-12 is a rugged powerhouse with an elegant outward appearance. We found it capable as both a guitar stage monitor and as a more typical power amp. It comes with the guarantee of any premium Friedman product, being personally tested and signed by Dave Friedman himself. So we’re confident in its reliability.
Verdict: The Friedman ASC-12 is a more premium and refined take on the FRFR design. It delivers beautiful results with great vintage looks and a rugged body. The sound quality is incredible, and it can double as a power amp.
How to Choose The Right Powered Cab For You
FRFR speakers are designed to allow you to hear your amp modeler’s guitar tone exactly as it was intended. For this, the FRFR cab needs to have a wide and even frequency response with no boosts or cuts given to any audible frequencies.
Essentially, they are studio monitors as far as their core functionality is concerned. The problem with studio monitors is that they tend to be either too small and weak or too large, fragile, and bulky. Studio monitors are not designed for gigging and don’t have any extra functionalities built into them. They are the most neutral speakers you can find.
Here are some important things to keep in mind when choosing a powered cab, whether for home practice or live performances.
Portability
If you’re planning on taking your FRFR speaker to your local cafe for a gig, you need to make sure it’ll be light and easy to carry like a guitar cab while still being durable, such as the Headrush. But for home practice, you can get one that’s designed to sit in one spot, like the Line 6 PowerCab.
Compatibility
When using FRFR speakers with amplifiers, there are concerns about their power rating and impedance. The power rating of your speaker must be higher than or equal to the output of your amp or whatever else you connect into the speaker input. The impedances of your input and output should also match.
Features
Powered guitar cabs tend to have extra features such as simulation of specific speaker cabs using frequency responses, EQ controls, and vintage looks. Think about what features you need and plan accordingly.
Final Thoughts
To quickly recap, the Line 6 PowerCab 112 is the best FRFR speaker in its range, offering high-quality sound with great customizability, while the HeadRush FRFR-108 is the Best Bargain if you’re on a tight budget. If you need the absolute best, the Friedman ASC-12 is our Editor’s Choice, and is simply brilliant with a vintage design.
No matter which you end up choosing, all FRFR speakers will accurately represent your modeling amp live. They make developing new styles and signatures much easier without buying several different physical speakers and pedals and lugging them everywhere you go.
