Atomic CLR vs. Alto TS212 - Guitar Modeling FRFR Shootout

A direct comparison between these two speakers. I include an A/B tone clip comparison with a room mic as well as a verbal review.

Audio Clip starts at 1:25.

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[MattCitrano]

Hey man. I just wanted to say thank you for reviewing all the things you have. I've been looking at buying an Atomic Amplifire and the TS212 for a lightweight but effective live rig and you talking about these things specifically is super helpful

[nathansieg]

Just pulled the trigger on an Alto ts212...130 shipped refurb :) cannot wait! my Firehawk FX will love it. The video was great and very helpful!

[MeTuLHeD]

Let's be fair. You had months to tweak your AxeFX patches to optimize them for the CLR wedge. But you plugged into the Alto straight out of the box without extensive time for tone chasing. I'll bet if you took the time to fine tune the AxeFX for optimal tone through the Alto, the tiny distinctions would pretty well disappear.

[p.c.]

Fantastic video man! Excellent, fair comparison. You made all the sense in the world. Thanks🤘🏽

[MrNeilfatmonkey]

A really helpful review and very honest. Thank you.

[mikeaustin]

Atomic is a clear winner in this demo, IMO. I should also mention that I seriously considered the Alto, but in every YouTube comparison I watched the Alto came in second.


I have an Atomic Reactor ARFR-AC - a 50 tube watt (6L6) FRFR speaker that I bought used for $350, and a Laney IRT-X that I bought used for < $300. I've also used the Atomic Reactor 112 (18 tube watts - 6V6) that I sold only because the 50 watt version has a lot more features.


I demoed the QSC 12.2 and 10.2, and the JBL, EV, Alto, and Harbinger powered monitors and the QSC were clearly the best - and also the most expensive ($799 and $699, respectively.)

[pcollenyt]

In your clips, the CLR sounded darker, and muffled compared to the Alto; made your neck pickupsound like you had the tone rolled off a couple notches. Or, v.v., the Alto was brighter sounding..made your neck pickup more articulate.

[peterm.winter]

Great video, thanks: Another thing, just from father to father, and because I am a MD: better keep your sweet little daughres ears of far away from those high powered speakers.

[TheTacticalstring]

You can pick up 2 ALTO's and the New Atomic AmpliFire 12 for the price of one CLR.

[SLAMSTERDAMN]

Good thoughtful review, young man & by 7:20, ‘Pebbles’ obviously prefers the CLR; expensive tastes, Y’all be Very Well! 👍

[Shamilt]

Some of that difference is in speaker break in. New speakers are stiff. Just a thought, thank you for the vid

[db]

Alto is really clear and a superb price-point. If it were me, Id get the wee one some ear plugs.

[kirstensray]

Thanks for the review. I would be ok with the 5-10% difference in tone, but dispersion/coverage difference seems like a big deal. You said the TS212 is MUCH more directional. The TS212 literature says the coverage is "90° H x 60° V nominal" and the CLR says "90° H x 90° V, average from 650Hz and up." The specs don't seem bad for the TS212, but you said at some points (in the relatively small testing space) the TS212 sounded muddy and boxy, that IS BAD.

I want to get a CLR monitor (34lbs $999-$1399), but they are out of stock and so in the meantime I got a TS210 (22lbs $249). I'm using the TS210 in a room in my home and will be using it next week in my practice space, which is the size of garage. So far it sounds very clear, and at least in my room I can hear the differences as I move around the room.

If sending the Kemper or other modeling through a PA then coverage isn't all that important if you are only using it to monitor on stage, plus the money saved is great. If the TS210 or TS212 is acting as an amp without PA support then I wonder how directional it is in comparison to an actual amp speaker. Seems like the TS210/12 would provide more coverage since it can be used for PA mains.

[Cactustone]

What nobody seems to be mentioning is that even if you want to buy a CLR, good luck! I've been on their waiting list forever, and there is no way to communicate with them. I'm totally ready to buy one, but have been looking elsewhere due to the fact that they can't deliver and won't communicate with their potential clients. I've been looking into the XiTone wedge as well. Any thoughts on that one?

[Mordecai]

Thanks, great advice, I just bought a KPA and I'm looking for a powered monitor, the Alto sounds like a good option fro the price since I'm not willing to spend another thousand dollars on the CLR.

[justinmcnally]

I was wondering if you've had a chance to sit down with the alto and do some EQ adjusting and what settings are using i've been using it with the helix for several months and I'm still struggling with it

[animestr]

Thank u for the great review!! Planning to get the alto ts210, what would be the difference in sound against the ts212?

[bailey]

Great video thanks, I just bought my line 6 helix and I was thinking about yamaha dxr12 and line 6 stagesource l2m both use, you think is better to get ts12 new?

[JenaGuitar]

Have you ever tried the Alto SXM112A  wedge?
Could be easy to setup and use on a stage...

[panicoguitars]

Hi, the ALTO TS210 chassis can be used for study? loses dynamics or beauty of low-volume sound?