TONEX Cab first impressions

[vac713]

Wow, just wow!

Exactly what I've come to expect from IKMM. Sound is incredible and dang this thing is LOUD!
I've been fortunate enough to have owned several high end FRFR cabs but these cabs (I got 2 to run stereo) are superior in terms of clarity, loudness and connectivity.

My use of the aux input:
Boss GM800 along with Boss VG800 (in parallel via the serial cable) each with its own Boss EV30 to control volume. GM800 into the aux input and VG800 to the input. I can blend the two together without the need for a mixer

Been only two days thus far and I'm looking forward to the weekend to really "dig in"

Once again IK, you've put much thought into creating the perfect companion to the TONEX ecosystem, and I for one, applaud your efforts

[Timo2019]

Agree with OP, although I've just started digging in (between winding pickup orders and shipping), but my first impression is how outstanding the tone clarity is with 'clean' tones. Just started testing tone models and presets through cab. I would love to hear about 'cab' owners different setups. Thx IK...

[Drive_Purple]

I'm impressed! The videos out there don't come close to conveying what I'm hearing in-person. I loaded some custom 3rd party IR's into the presets, and let my Tonex pedal handle just the amp and effects. Very inspiring to play through.

I've been playing for 60 yrs and appreciate this kind of equipment. I like how light it is, and the insane amount of volume/headroom it's capable of. I had tried the fender fr-12, but wasn't impressed. The fender wasn't tight enough on the bass.

Thanks IK! I've never pre-ordered any gear before, but this was well worth the 4 month wait. PS, send my cab cover soon!

[TheOC88]

I ordered mine back in January, so I've waited a long time for it to arrive and it was finally delivered yesterday.

Didn't immediately love the sound, compared to my Fender FR10, but a bit of tweaking and it's getting interesting.

One thing you guys might be able to help me with though, please; where the **** do I find the Tonex Cab Control software? Most manufacturers have a 'Downloads' page for each product, but I can't find the Cab Control software anywhere. Is it me? Am I going mad??

[Drive_Purple]

Register it, it'll be easy to figure out from there. Should be a card in the box with info on how to do that. You'll need a usb cable. There will be a firmware update once you get the cab software running.

[TheOC88]

Ok, thank you. So wow, you have to register the cab before you can try software on it? Only thing is, what if I decide not to keep the cab, and it's registered to me - any idea if I can de-register it?

[Timo2019]

yes you can

[TheOC88]

Thank you )

[merman9393]

I missed the first round of preorders, and now the price has increased by $100. That’s my fault. You guys who did get them at $699 are very lucky! I’m told next load is due June 20 or before, and I can’t wait. My salesperson says the Tonex Cab and EVH Hypersonic will arrive at the same time if I’m concerned with the price increase, but it appears the Tonex has better reviews. I would assume the increase is tariff related, but aren’t the tarries on hold ?

[TheOC88]

I'm pretty sure the increase is NOT tariff related - they were always planning a pre-order price, and I was told months ago, by IK, that after a certain date the prices would go up.
That said, I haven't seen a price increase yet in the UK, the prices seem to be what they were at pre-order still.

I'd actually never heard of the EVH cab until you mentioned it - interesting, everyone is getting on this bandwagon! I've been thinking for a while that Marshall needs to get in to the FR market, they'd sell like crazy.

FWIW my initial feeling is I actually prefer my Fender FR10 for sounds alone, which might be relevant to you if the EVH is the same as the FR10/12 in all but looks. I should say though that's 1) probably because the FR10 is what I'm used to, and 2) I'm not actually a tube amp guy; most of my amps have been digital, or I've used modellers. I also don't play live much these days. My point is I'm not that used to hearing my guitar 'in the mix' which is what the Amp Tone control is all about (as I understand it) and the Fender to me sounds more like a guitar sounds in a recording (which is what I'm used to hearing)
And from the few hours I've spent with the Tonex, the sound I prefer is when the Amp Tone is hard to the left, on the 'Mic' setting - this sounds more like the FR that I'm used to.

[TheOC88]

A couple more questions for you guys, please; I haven't registered the Tonex yet, can you tell me what the does the firmware update do? Does it have any affect on the sound?

Also, does anyone know if FRFR cab speakers need breaking in like normal amp speakers do?

[Peter_IK]

I missed the first round of preorders, and now the price has increased by $100. That’s my fault. You guys who did get them at $699 are very lucky! I’m told next load is due June 20 or before, and I can’t wait. My salesperson says the Tonex Cab and EVH Hypersonic will arrive at the same time if I’m concerned with the price increase, but it appears the Tonex has better reviews. I would assume the increase is tariff related, but aren’t the tarries on hold ?

As pointed out above, the price increase has nothing to do with tariffs. However, another company - one that might make some of the items mentioned in this thread, and this relates to those very products - HAS raised their prices apparently due to tariffs...

TONEX Cab pre-order pricing was $/€699.99 and we stated from the beginning that the price will go up to $/€799.99 once they started shipping. That's the reason and we never raised the prices of TONEX Cab due to anything other than what we announced before those tariffs were even discussed.

[merman9393]

Thanks for the verification on pricing. I’m on the next round of preorders and paying $799, and am ok with that. I didn’t have the funds yet and missed the first round by days.

[Drive_Purple]

A couple more questions for you guys, please; I haven't registered the Tonex yet, can you tell me what the does the firmware update do? Does it have any affect on the sound?

Also, does anyone know if FRFR cab speakers need breaking in like normal amp speakers do?

I noticed a difference after the firmware update, it sounded better. I'm pretty sure all broken-in guitar speakers sound better than brand new. Yep, I know firmware updates are mood killers, just do it and get it over with. Try not to freak out like I have in the past, wondering... "oh crap, what if I brick this thing?"

[hambly]

My first impressions after two days of noodling and tinkering at home.

Good:
* This thing is awesome! Exactly what I was hoping for! Sounds fantastic.
* Holy crap it gets loud
* I loaded 7 different IRs on the presets (keeping one without a cab), and it is so much fun to have such easy access to play any of my amp sims/models quickly into different cabs. It turns out playing a Deluxe Reverb into a MESA 4x12 is actually really awesome. I probably wouldn't have ever tried that otherwise. I'm glad it's just a basic knob to change presets, no menu diving required.
* Legs are solid, which is good because they are absolutely necessary.
* Audio in via aux input is clear and high quality, really fun for playing along with some tunes.

Needs Improvement:
* Can only load IR files you have outside of the ToneX ecosystem. I'm unable to use any of the many premium cab IRs I already have licensed within ToneX. I would expect this will be addressed in an update to the Tonex CAB software.
* Volume knob at low volumes seems to step up digitally, not a smooth increase in volume. It's really hard to make adjustments when playing at family friendly inside volumes. Since I suspect it is digitally controlled, hopefully that means it can be updated via firmware!
* Noisy when connected to computer via USB. At home, I like to play my ToneX and the Cab while connected to my computer, so I can tweak settings easily on screen, so it's a bummer that it has a high pitch noise when connected via USB.
* Amp Tone is ok, I'm mostly finding the sweet spot at almost all the way to MIC, but I've only been playing at home right next to the cab. It just seems like a midrange adjustment and I'm not clear on its intended use and real life purpose. I'm guessing maybe when playing in a band or live scenario and you need to tweak to fit into the mix a bit better? The manual is pretty broad and ambiguous - "increases the realism of the modeled guitar tone to make the cabinet react as a classic guitar cabinet" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I guess? Turn the REAL up to 10! More real = more good right?


Design:
* USB-B? Is this a mid 2000s inkjet printer? (maybe USB-B is needed for some power-related reason? otherwise, what an awkward cable I now have to keep around my desk)
* Can I lock the legs in the extended position? I lean it back and bring it forward all the time and it would be nice to know those legs are staying put.
* The knobs are in a challenging location to access. I wish they were on the front. When using the CAB on the floor you absolutely need to tilt it. It's a massive difference directionally in a near(ish) field. But when you need to tinker and adjust knobs, they are painfully awkward to get to without standing the cab back up. Not much we can do about this, but figured I'd give the feedback.
* Wish it had bluetooth for the aux input.