Axe-Fx III vs Axe-Fx II - Amp modeling comparison

Background music by Adam Bentley

[cryptoskywalker]

They sound basically identical, although it's a little more difficult to tell sometimes, when you're arpeggiating licks on one, and hitting big breakup 5 chords on the other. Still, I'll get a used II for less than a grand, before I'll spend 3k for 10, 000 more options I'll never use.

[AyBi_Studio]

I'm working on a tone match of the Axe FX III with my Mark II..
*Turnning on Bright Switch*
Done.

[thorntoneaudio]

Still using an AX8 with zero complaints! Loving the AxeFXiii’s brightness over the 2. Nice to see we have the same speakers! Love me some sexy white Yamaha’s. Thanks again for the IR!

[Daclaem]

They turn, the treble knob by 8.45%, what an update.

[mdub]

I think I prefer the II. Maybe it's just me?

[DizzyKrissi]

Some examples feel like the higher processing-power of the ACE FX 3 lead to finer resolutions and dynamics. But nothing spectacular.

[some_g]

Hardly surprising that they sound the same, they're using the same firmware. It's like using Mac High Sierra on two computers with different processing power. It's still High Sierra which ever computer you use.

[rmps]

PHEW!! Good to know I don't need to get rid of my Axe 2!!

[schlagdog]

AX3 is slightly brighter. Well worth spending $2500 more

[elliottm]

Whilst this video is designed to shed light on the matter, too many comments are about how similar they sound. The III is a major upgrade in terms of CPU and connectivity.

[sammytheman]

The axe 3 sounds a bit less dull/flat and has a clearer/finer resolution sound to it. Sometimes it sucks spending so much money on gear for a subtle difference lmao. Axe 3 definitely wins though.. Thanks a lot for th is man

[misticformula]

I would just add an eq pedal to the AX2 and call it a day. Both sound killer, though. Thanks for posting the vid!

[Batsinthebelltower]

I actually prefer the axe 2 in these clips, its warmer and less brittle . Ax3 has a treble or presence boost, not worth the extra money

[NickandShan]

Damnit turn the music off when you’re talking.

[michaelholmes]

I have friends that own the Axe Fx Ii and I know will buy the III for its larger screen. Was there really a need for the III? The II really had no shortfalls other than a small screen.
I found the sounds only slightly thinner, gainier or slightly cleaner depending on the amp chosen.

[shea_o_keith]

I wanted an axe fx for son long but then a I realized that my whole guitar playing life I've only really liked using two different amp sounds. Also I suck far to much to ever justify spending that much money on a piece of gear.

[fleekwoodmac]

I'm listening to this through a set of Mackie MR5's out of a Clarett and there is exactly discernible difference.

[Ampullae]

The transients are a little more clear on the Axe III to my ears... it will be interesting to hear how it evolves over time

[paulmerritt]

If we are just talking about the sound your audience will probably not hear the difference especially live but you will hear the difference. To me my sound makes all the difference in my inspiration to play. It affects my creativity as well. For the small upgrade in sound alone it is worth the upgrade to me. I also know the 3 will grow and so will it's sound just like all the past fractal products and the way Fractal updates their algorithms and is constantly finding ways to improve their product is something I have not seen in any other company. They could be still giving the 3 updates 7 years from now. We just got a major update on the 2 not long ago and fractal was not even selling it anymore. They figured out a way to give it most of teh 3's algorithms and made it sound even closer to the 3. What company does this? The power, the sound, the capabilities, and the potential for further improvements make buying a 3 a no brainer if you are looking for an amp and can afford it. For an upgrade it 's worth while as well in my opinion but there is nothing wrong with the Axe fx 2 XL+.

[MarkTiarra]

We have an AXE FX 2 and a Kemper at the studio here and I find that the Kemper has more of an "ampy" quality to it. I hear more of that in your 3 examples here as well. It's subtle, but it's there. What I like about the AXE FX is something that detractors may dislike, which is that it seems to almost homogenize variables from guitar to guitar and room to room. I can hear much more variation when I flip through pickup settings on my Kemper than I can on most AXE patches. For live settings, this makes the AXE more desirable (I can control the room better). For recording, I like the Kemper. The other thing with the AXE is that it blows the Kemper away with all the on board effects. Of course, when recording that doesn't matter again because I'm using software effects through sends and synched to tempos, etc...

Anyway, that's my two cents. Thanks for the cool vid and nice dry comparisons.