The CFR12 – Please scroll to the bottom of the page for feedback and reviews

Priced at just £480* the CFR12 is available to purchase now from the online store.

The price works out at £596 inclusive of VAT and delivery within the UK, which equates to roughly $829* including delivery to the USA

Please visit our online store to calculate the shipping costs for other destinations.

Designed as a full range, full response audio monitor, the compact 12” coaxial solution, at only 12.9kgs (29lb) offers a transparent sound punching well above its size weight.

The CFR12 was created as a high quality solution to accompany the lightweight amplifiers that are already available from Matrix, to complete the playback solution.

We wanted to to create a system which fully utilises both the amp modelling and cabinet modelling capabilities that the new modelling pre-amps are capable of. In a perfect world the guitarist should be able to develop a tone within their studio environment either through headphones or monitors and know that the same sound will be created by their choice of on stage monitor, which they should be able to carry onto the stage with ease. In the case of larger gigs when an additional send is used to feed the front of house system the guitarist then knows the audience are hearing the same out in the crowd as the guitarist is hearing on the stage.

Traditional guitar cabinets impart their own character on top of the tone the modellers were creating. We wanted to create a transparent solution to enable the modeller to shine through

With a traditional guitar speaker being limited in frequency response we knew that we would have to utilise a full range system. This is normally achieved using one speaker cone to produce the low frequencies and a separate tweeter loaded on a horn to fill in the top end sparkle. The disadvantage of this approach is the sound is coming from two separate locations which create phasing issues as you walk around the stage. The guitarist’s ear is always a different distance to each source of sound. The solution to this is the use of a coaxial driver, whereby the high and low frequency drivers are located on the same axis.

The CFR12 is loaded with a 12″ coaxial driver which has a dispersion pattern of 80 degrees, which ensures the same sweet spot of sound is heard by the guitarist as they move around the stage.

A wedge shape was employed to enable the speaker to point up at the guitarists ears when used as a monitor to keep the noise level on stage down. The CFR12 can also sit on its end to be used in a more traditional manner firing past the guitarists knees into the audience.

The ultimate compliment we received was from the many guitarists visiting a show where the CFR12′s were running. Certain that they were listening to the traditional heavyweight 4×12 cabinet in the centre of the stage they were surprised to look behind and find no leads plugged in.

Handling 260 Watts RMS rated at 8 ohms, the CFR12 is a perfect match for the GT1000FX, GT800FX and GM50 amplifiers

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Weight: 12.9kg
Impedance: 8 Ohms
Power Handling: 260W RMS
Dimensions (mm): 463 H x 366 W x 274 D
Dimensions (in): 18.2 H x 14.4 W x 10.8 D
Connections: Dual Combi Speakon + 1/4″ jack

If you have any questions please contact us via email ” sales@matrixamplification.com ” quoting CFR12 in the subject line.

* excluding vat and shipping, please note the price excludes duty and taxes outside of the EU

Matrix CFR12′s Tryout – Review

Living so close to the Matrix factory has it’s perks

Anyway enough gloating, I’m here to write a review on the CFR12′s which I’ve had the pleasure of testing over the weekend.

First impressions, dude they are so compact, I mean I was amazed on first seeing them at the factory.
After seeing Simeon’s RCF 10′s a few days before they are easily the same size. Very well constructed, easily carried with one hand. The paint finish on them seems to be made of Kryptonite as they took some knocks (and beer spillage, sorry Andy ) over the weekend and they look good as new.

Soundwise :-
My first test was at the factory, with my AXEFXII and my Matrix GT800FX
Bass – Focused and tight, even when cranked
Mids – Crisp
Highs – Clear without being brittle or painfull

Second test, I took them to my gig this weekend, new venue, turned out to be very small. This is also the first time I’ve gigged in my life without a Guitar Cab. So I’m leaping in both feet here.

Both Speakers fitted nicely around the base of my mic stand, very unobtusive. I would suggest using Speakon cables however as I managed to pull out one of my inferior Jack Plug speaker leads half way through a song. I only use Jack Speaker leads because all my guitar cabs are Jack fitment.

Again running my GT800FX at about 1 o’clock (into 8ohm load per speaker) was more than adequate for hearing myself loud and clear throught the mix. My bass player could hear me, my drummer even commented that he could hear me. In fact that’s the first sentence I’ve heard him string together

So in summary :-
The sound was clear and precise, focused and very pleasing. I was grinning all night
Yes it was very strange to start off not having a 4×12 pounding at my kidneys but 15 mins in I had forgotten about it and I never had to strain to hear myself.

Portability, great match for the Matrix GT range of amps. The CRF12′s have got the thumbs up from me. Time to sell the Mesa Cabs I thinks

Anyway here’s some pictures of the Matrix CFR12′s and my guitar rig (Please note the Mesa Speaker in the middle isn’t connected and is merely functioning as a rack stand)