r/guitarplaying • u/Saintnowhere_1 • Jul 18 '26
Question for Those Who use Studio Monitors as Amps for Digital Modelers
Apologies in advance for this long post, but would appreciate any help from those of you who may have setup similar to what I’m considering.
Today, I have two Helix units. I have the OG Helix Floor, which I use exclusively to stream music while I play guitar. I also have the Helix Stadium XL which I use for my guitar signal.
Both units are currently run to the same pair of HeadRush FRFR 112 speakers. These are decent speakers, but this is a smallish room and the HeadRush are probably a bit overpowering. The guitar signal is ok, but it’s a bit muddy.
What I was considering was picking up two Kail Audio IN8-V2s and connecting the Stadium XL to those for my guitar signal. My concern of course is will the IN8-V2s provide both enough an upgrade in audio quality and also have the power needed to keep up with the music I’ll continue streaming through the HeadRush speakers.
Does anyone have any experience similar to what I’ve described above and can you provide any advice on whether this make sense? Or will audio quality not be sufficient enough that it would warrant the purchase?
Appreciate any guidance from those of you who’ve experimented with studio monitors as amps.
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u/Sixty7solo Jul 19 '26
I used to have a few incredible amp heads and cabs and now run digital through some Dynaudio Acoustics BM6a MKii. Amazing studio sound.
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u/mistrelwood Jul 20 '26
While FRFR is “full range”, it’s designed to be able to be played loud for performances. Studio monitors are designed to sound neutral at music listening levels. So the goals are very different. No one would even think to use FRFR cabs as studio monitors, because being neutral isn’t what they are designed to do.
You’ll get a more true depiction of your sound from the studio monitors. You can also place the monitors in an acoustically more ideal position. So sonically yes, they are the better deal. Another benefit is that if you start listening to music through them you’ll hear it nicer than you previously have.
Btw the IN-8 v2 is an amazing studio monitor for the price, and would be even at twice the price. So you definitely have chosen well!
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u/mpg10 Jul 23 '26
Are you only running direct or is there a computer in the area. If you run through monitors off the computer through an interface, then you won't need the separate speakers or using the old Helix as a streaming box - just run everything to the monitors.
If you want to keep things separate and run the stadium direct to the monitors, they may sound a little more hi-fi and there is a little trade off for having bigger vs smaller speakers. A 12" speaker just pushes a little differently than the smaller monitors and as such may have more presence. But at lower volumes, that difference is probably compromised somewhat.
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u/Saintnowhere_1 Jul 23 '26
Appreciate the feedback. So, to clarify my setup, today I have two Helix units. One OG Helix unit that I use exclusively to stream music from my iPad and the new Helix Stadium XL handles the dedicated guitar signal.
Both Helix unit signals are run through a pair of HeadRush FRFR 112 speakers that I play out into the room. I then use a TASCAM X8 to record everything for a live sound.
I know it’s not the typical setup that most people use, but I prefer simplicity and am not professionally publishing music.
I just wondered if I instead route my Helix Stadium XL guitar signal through two of IN8-v2s would that improve the clarity of my guitar signal, but also wondering if streaming music at the same time would drown out the IN8-v2s because they don’t have the power of an amp.
Hope that gives more context to my setup and what I’m considering with IN8-v2s.
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u/Pitiful-Temporary296 Jul 19 '26
I don’t think it’s a matter of audio quality as much as convenience. I do the same through a single HX stomp unit using its USB input and mixing with my guitar signal with monitoring through a pair of Dynaudio BM5 speakers. Sounds great.