Comparing 5 reactive loads

[EOengineer]

I use the OG Captor to capture DIs of my amps all the time but it’s always used with a real cab connected. Not an option for everyone but I find to get the best results I need to use a real speaker load that matches the IR I’m planning to use.

I keep meaning to grab the Suhr but it’s not perfect either.

 

[James Freeman]

Fractal's X-Load could have been perfect if they tuned the resonance frequemcy and its Q better.
To get it up to spec I had to mod it with quite expensive parts.

 

[The other John Browne]

Excellent video, Jon!

 

[nightlight]

Nice video, Jon.

I did notice you left out a couple of excellent and more popular loadboxes: the Suhr Reactive Load and the Fryette PS-2.

Here’s a comparison of the two, which is admittedly not as hi-fi as Jon’s video, but should serve as a good indicator.

 

[CorrosiveMatter]

Excellent video, Jon!

 

[mk5]

Small bump here. Close to pulling the trigger on a Suhr RL (OG one). Have an impedance question for slaving to a small SS mini SLO:

-Suhr RL is 8 ohms.
-NMV Marshall is selectable 4/8/16.
-Marshall 4x12 cab is 16 ohms.
-Soldano Mini SLO (to slave) has two outs that are labeled “8-16 ohms” each.

So do I set the Marshall head at 8 or 16 ohms?

Guitar>NMV Marshall>speaker out>
Suhr RL>unbalanced line out from Suhr>fx>
Soldano Mini loop return>Soldano speaker out>Marshall 4x12?

Thinking it’s 8 since the Suhr is holding the load, but want to be .

 

[GuitarBilly74]

Small bump here. Close to pulling the trigger on a Suhr RL (OG one). Have an impedance question for slaving to a small SS mini SLO:

-Suhr RL is 8 ohms.
-NMV Marshall is selectable 4/8/16.
-Marshall 4x12 cab is 16 ohms.
-Soldano Mini SLO (to slave) has two outs that are labeled “8-16 ohms” each.

So do I set the Marshall head at 8 or 16 ohms?

Guitar>NMV Marshall>speaker out>
Suhr RL>unbalanced line out from Suhr>fx>
Soldano Mini loop return>Soldano speaker out>Marshall 4x12?

Thinking it’s 8 since the Suhr is holding the load, but want to be .

You only have to set the amp to the load impedance. So 8ohms for the Suhr.

 

[EOengineer]

Still sitting on the fence wanting to snag a Suhr RL. Really wanting to migrate back to something that has me connected to a tube amp out front.

 

[EOengineer]

Whelp as it happens I got a decent Reverb offer on a watched Suhr RL and jumped on it. Excited to have it as an option in addition to the Captor.

 

[mercifulfuzziness]

 

[JiveTurkey]

Whelp as it happens I got a decent Reverb offer on a watched Suhr RL and jumped on it. Excited to have it as an option in addition to the Captor.

Suhr RL is best

 

[spawnofthesith]

Whelp as it happens I got a decent Reverb offer on a watched Suhr RL and jumped on it. Excited to have it as an option in addition to the Captor.

I’m looking forward to your thoughts/comparisons on the surh vs captor. I love the attenuator on the captor so will always keep it around for that, the Suhr RL is definitely on my “medium list” lol

 

[2dor]

Suhr RL is best

It's a pretty good unit, doesn't need any power brick etc. Good value if you grab it used; at its MSRP, not so much.

 

[GuitarJon]

I recently tried the Waza Tube Expander Core too and really enjoyed that as well. I love the built in power amp feature... Regarding the Suhr; a LOT of guys that I know absolutely love that thing. So in terms of the pure load I don't think you can go wrong with it.

 

[Mikael Dez]

I’m looking to add a RL to my setup and it appears that all roads lead back to the Suhr.

Julius Music Box is a cheap alternative - basically the same thing from what I understand

 

[paisleywookiee]

I’m looking forward to your thoughts/comparisons on the surh vs captor. I love the attenuator on the captor so will always keep it around for that, the Suhr RL is definitely on my “medium list” lol

IMO, the Suhr is tops in terms of feel and sound. It’s really obvious that it’s impedance curve is closest to a real cab.

 

[EOengineer]

I’m looking forward to your thoughts/comparisons on the surh vs captor. I love the attenuator on the captor so will always keep it around for that, the Suhr RL is definitely on my “medium list” lol

IMO, the Suhr is tops in terms of feel and sound. It’s really obvious that it’s impedance curve is closest to a real cab.

Just my opinion, but I look at having the two different reactive loads as a strategic choice. The Suhr is very specifically matching the curve of a greenback loaded 4x12. The Captor is more generic and I think more closely matched to something like a 2x12 open back cab or a V30 cab of some sort. Both can be useful.

 

[paisleywookiee]

Just my opinion, but I look at having the two different reactive loads as a strategic choice. The Suhr is very specifically matching the curve of a greenback loaded 4x12. The Captor is more generic and I think more closely matched to something like a 2x12 open back cab or a V30 cab of some sort. Both can be useful.

It's all subjective, after all. I wasn't a fan of the Captor X, but they're certainly popular. And the feature set is awesome too.

 

[Humbug]

The Captor is more generic and I think more closely matched to something like a 2x12 open back cab or a V30 cab of some sort. Both can be useful.

The Captor is a versatile, reasonably well built box with lots of neat features. It is not, however, close to or even resembling _any_ actual speaker cab. The impedance curve is a smiley face. Or hammock, if you prefer.

 

[paisleywookiee]

The Captor is a versatile, reasonably well built box with lots of neat features. It is not, however, close to or even resembling _any_ actual speaker cab. The impedance curve is a smiley face. Or hammock, if you prefer.

banana?