Headrush FRFR-112 Active Monitor

The Headrush FRFR-112 is a very affordable solution for active monitoring, and with its huge power, rugged build and ease of use, definitely worth checking out. It has two 'channels' both taking TR or XLR, an extension XLR out, a contour otion and a ground/lift. All good. But is it really an alternative for a real guitar amp, or even a modeler run into a good power amp and a real cabinet? I am not convinced.

I got mine this week, and have been tweaking my modeling unit ever since for hours to get the Headrush sound good for live stage amp/guitar monitor use. The modeler I use has been used live for a year with very satisfying results.

The biggest issue is that with sounds that you have proven good with other gear sound just terrible with the Headrush out of the package plugged in.

The bottom end is super boomy, and the mids manage to be both weak where you'd like them and annoyingly nasal & loud where you wouldn't want them. The Contour-button just makes this effect worse.

With heavy doses of global and patch by patch Eq:ing, compressing etc I have been able to make it decent sounding, not great but not totally useless, either. You really have to work to get that bottom end right, and I feel that the plastic (I guess) structure cancels the natural resonation of a real cab and you'll have to work your way around that, too. This appears particularly true with the Headrush, compared to other regular FRFR active monitors I have tested.

None of the above is necessarily an issue for, say, a pure metal player that just wants a scooped aggressive sound. On the other hand, I can't see a blues purist using a modeler into a FRFR cabinet, either. But as many of us are looking for an all in one, easy to setup and travel sound source, perhaps for a variety of styles, it would be nice if the Headrush sounded a bit more natural and real cabinet-like.

It is affordable and powerful, has the functions you need for the purpose, but doesn't sound great or even good without a lot of extra sound editing.

Edit two weeks later: after a couple of gigs with the Headrush as the 'amp' on stage, I still feel what I said above holds. But a couple of things might help the issues. First; I suggest that you bring the hi cut value a bit lower than the 8 kHz that many use as a standard. A setting of around 6,5 kHz helps the harshness. Also, the bottom end can be tamed with rolling some bass of from the actual sound, not exaggerating the lo cut global value. Something like 80 hz can be sufficient. Finally, I suggest using some extra compression in the guitar sound to mimic the 'push' of a regular guitar cabinet.

All in all, I think this unit is definitely worth its price, and can be a very useful gig tool for a guitarist that uses modeling amps and IR-based cabinet sounds. It does not sound like a real guitar amp or speaker, but can be tweaked into a reliable and reasonably nice sounding stage monitoring option. If you can send your sound to the house PA from your preamp/FX unit and are looking for independence in hearing yourself on stage, the Headrush is a viable option.

With the release of outstanding and flexible modelling amps like the Fractal Audio AxeFX and Line6 Helix, the need for super-loud valve amplifiers is rapidly diminishing. However, if you don't want to record directly, use desktop monitors/headphones or run straight to a PA for live use, you still need a power amp and cabinet(s).

Well, you used to need a power amp and cabinet. This Headrush FRFR Monitor changes that.

Whether you want to keep the volume to neighbour-friendly levels, crank it to use with bandmates or use it as a monitor on the stage, this does it all. I haven't used it at live performance levels yet, but I have no doubt it would cope.

I've accidentally kicked the speaker grille a few times and there's not a mark on it (more than can be said for my old Marshall cab, years ago). I'm definitely going to add a second one to enjoy stereo effects.

A pair of Marshall 2x12 cabs would be over 50kg and cost over €1000. Plus, you'd need a power amp. A stereo pair of these is 32kg and under €600. If you use a modelling amp or multiFX, get one of these.

... or two!

Used for Guitar > Helix > Headrush FRFR-112

Get the same sound in live situations. No more surprises on stage.

PROS
- Sounds great with the band. Tested with the line6 Helix LT and the Plini: Archetype plugin from Neural DSP (through Reaper and a digital mixer).

-Two inputs (both XLR&1/4) where you can plug two different instruments for monitoring. Not ideal for live gigs but useful in limited situations. There are an output to connect to another unit in mono or stereo, the more the merrier.

-This unit packs 2000W. It is definitely loud at volume 4. The Knob even goes to 11. It's impossible to not hear yourself live.

-Has a stand mount built in.

CONS
-The only issue I can found is the build quality. It is not fragile, but is not that solid either. Might want to be careful when transporting the unit.


Overall, a really good price/quality purchase. Might get a second unit.

Bought it for Kemper
Headrush is OK bang for a buck, sounds much nicer then playing through desktop monitors.
I have A-B'ed it with Laney LFR 112. Opted for Laney as there was a noticable difference in wooden cabinet oposed to plastic housing that Headrush is built of. Notes were singing more natural and with wooden texture, while Headrush sounded more like PA.
I got the best results with Kemper Kone so I opted for that option