Headrush Prime Vs. AxeFx FM-3 No opinion given!

[@johnneiberger7311]

In nearly every case, the Headrush sounded much better to me. It's the closest to sounding like a real amp. The FM3 still sounds like software trying to emulate an amp but not quite getting there.

[@tswpedals]

@@johnneiberger7311 idk. Im torn. Having played both in a band situation they both cut really well and make me feel like the tone is amp like. The FM3 ecosystem is very hard to navigate. Headrush UI is incredibly intuitive. The bugs in the clones made me sell the Prime. I think they have fixed that by now though.

[@KingKong-mp6gj]

🤡

[@BrentODell]

A was Headrush and B the AxeFX, correct? It's super subjective, obviously, but I thought A sounded better almost every time. Yeah, I had to back the video up to make sure I had that right. To me, the AxeFX sounds muddy and fizzy, neither of which I enjoyed.

[@tswpedals]

I think with tweaking… both units will be gig worthy and recording worthy tools. The Axe FX has a deep learning curve whereas the Prime is more intuitive. The AF is more refined in terms of desktop editor and updates whereas the Prime has had bugs that have not all been addressed in the one update that they did. I went with Tonex and HX Stomp XL and I get everything I want other than a good rotary effect. I think the Prime had a phenomenal algorithm for that.

[@raynunez6027]

I currently have a headrush gigboard and have been considering switching to fm3. From everything I’ve heard in other videos the fractal sounds great, and this is the first time I’ve heard it against a headrush product and now idk. To me the fm3 sounds harsh and thin compared to the prime. Crazy how the comments show just how different peoples opinions can be.

[@zedkent4287]

yeah there's a clear winner, even if I was hoping headrush would compete, the warmth and crispness of the fractal is just something else, don't get me wrong headrush prime is pretty good and offers the most out of all the units out there and for a much better price, but tends to mud up and definitly doesn't shine like an ax or a quad, the cloning features is dope thought, Imma sell my mx5 and get a core asap

[@kj053910]

The problem with a comparison like this is there’s no way to dial them in exactly the same. The units are different and the FM3 has more deep dive parameters you can tweak. A patch is also only as good as the IR being used, the persons ability to dial in a good sound, and the persons guitar skill. The only way to tell which one is better is to play it yourself. The one advantage that the Headrush has is the profiling feature though. The amp modeling technology in the Headrush is old and ported from the Eleven Rack.

[@vaughanmacegan4012]

Well, apart from the Revalver amp selection which was not in the Eleven Rack, and of course the profilling definitely not on the Elven Rack and of course the ability to change IR's which was on the Eleven Rack development units but never made it to the end-user models. So apart from all that it's ecaxtly the same ... or ... not. That said some things sounded better on the FM3, some of the higher gain sounded better or the HR, some didn't sound good on either unit.

[@justinTime077]

Actually you can dial them in to be as close as possible, but this guy clearly hasn’t put much effort in on that.

[@leoleooficial]

Fm3 great plastic sounds. Headrush organic sounds. That's all.

[@KingKong-mp6gj]

🤡

[@formercakid]

NO comparison...Headrush sounds terrible next to the AxeFx...Thx you saved me some money.

[@valentinodania7956]

I don’t think that. You can’t compare an entire pedalboard just watching a video on youtube. The fm3 is a tone monster but the headrush sound really good and is more complete, and cost you less money. Depends all on what you need. If you have money and need less switch and you know you can tweak well the fm3 just buy it. you you need something easier and bigger buy headrush. With a custom ir all those pedalboard can sound really really good. Before buy something you need to try out 😁

[@justinTime077]

@@valentinodania7956 do you realize Fractal constantly refines their existing models while Headrush is using code from old shit (11 rack)? Wonder why rock stars use Fractal and not Headrush…?

[@kevone-eo6pq]

rock stars don't use modellers. @@justinTime077

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

First of all, you have to make sure the inputs are the same, as in the noise gate on the Headrush. The noise gate is not an "effect" that you put in the chain, it's located on the input section of the Headrush.

[@Scottydontno]

What do you mean? I’ve heard this before and don’t understand.

[@rom4486]

I don’t know if both units has exactly same settings but axe fx sound brighter cleaner HD sound , also depends if both units have same rig setup with same setting,

[@tswpedals]

They cant have exact settings but they can have similar amp models. That is what I dialed in. Fender amp vs Fender amp. Marshall vs. Marshall. Their is a realism to the FM3 that is not there with the Prime. Yes its like the difference between SD and HD.

[@spinyheghog]

I think it is awesome new modeler is hitting the scene so people can just play. It is interesting how different they are yet the same

[@tswpedals]

I agree! Similar yet they have their own character.

[@robertsimpson5801]

I felt like neither of the JCM800 tones with the neck pickup were great. Both sounded a little brittle me. With the humbuckers, both sounded much better, but the Fractal sounded quite a bit better, to my ear. Overall, both were definitely usable. I like the ease of use of the HRP, while the expansive model lost in the Fractal is awesome too, but I hate trying to control a Fractal modeler from the controls on the unit!!

[@tswpedals]

@@robertsimpson5801 agreed. I couldve spent time dialing in, but reaply I wanted to do more of a stock preset comparison.

[@s4t4npt]

In my opinion, and had both units, the FM3 sounds way more dinamic and accurately responsive, but these are stock amps. Where the HR Prime can shine is by using the cloning feature with IRs. Also there is another aspect not reviewed here that must contribute to an opinion on the unit as whole, the interface and ease of use. The Fractal interface is not inviting to use, is a lot more complex to tweak, and has much less versatility in terms of functions. I have a Kemper, some analog rigs, and eventually also kept the HR prime for the great cloning+IR results and interface+functions. Those are my 2 cents anyway.

[@tswpedals]

I agree totally. I would have kept the HR Prime if the cloning rigs didnt have a volume drop when switching rigs. Its a known goitch that they need to fix.

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

While I love my Prime, I am thinking of picking up a Kemper Floor. Thoughts on this unit, esp interface and ease of use? Will keep the Prime , just may add a Kemper Floor to the collection. I love the way my Prime is sounding after experimenting with my rigs, and uploading some to the Cloud which people seem to be liking. Is my interest in the Kemper Floor just too redundant to the Prime?

[@leoleooficial]

Fm3 great plastic sounds. Headhush organic sounds. That's all.

[@justinTime077]

@@leoleooficial lol. Subjectivity is confounding.

[@justinTime077]

@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide kemper is falling behind. Modern modelers-even cheaper stuff like Tonex-is beating and exceeding Kemper at their own game.

[@fistwood]

for JM800, FM3 really gives the Marshall tone feels!!

[@tswpedals]

Much more amp in the room like

[@Jon-j1m]

I could rock either one. If ya got skills and a good ear, I think both can be tweaked to sound great.

[@BagusWibisono]

i’m an metal guitarist, so which have best high gain sound and feel of both? specially for low tuning or 7 strings.

[@tswpedals]

Most metal guys choose Fractal.

[@andrew6978]

Ask Metallica.

[@GoofieNewfie]

Own the FX3 and ordered the Prime for a family member. The prime isn't even remotely close to the fractal. Skip the presets too and go straight to the cloud because al the built in stuff is bad. Has tons of potential, but being in the same room, it is night and day difference and the attack on the guitar feels very different. The headrush has that modeler problem where every guitar sorta sounds the same, not has bad as their first board, but it is there. The fractal brings out each guitar I tried into it. Really hope HR sticks with it and improves firmware because it has tons of potential. On a side note, sounds like we got a good guitarist here!

[@brucedickinson8993]

Bro PLEASE, the headrush prime has delay in changing effects? When you hit the pedal, there's a little delay to change effect?

[@tswpedals]

The prime had a few glitches that caused me to return it. Best for the money is a Tonex and an HX stomp together.

[@brucedickinson8993]

@@tswpedals thanks! I was using nux mg 30, now I'll get an zoom g11... in Brazil things are expensive, but let's see what future reserves

[@joelanderson6777]

Headrush Prime sounds brighter. FM3 sounds darker.

[@alexmortar]

Thanks for vid, but, there is a lot of difference. Probably it wouldn't be amiss to compare units with some IR

[@a-fox]

The headrush lacks any type of remote editing where FM3 has software that allows you to edit things without sitting in the floor or putting your pedal board on a table or desk. I have an original headrush and hate that to make edits I have to put the thing on a table or desk... it's rather large... and who puts a touch screen on a floor unit?

[@AleksandrsKarimovs]

"Now I'm going through j800 amps and I;m using only neck sing voil pickup..." No sir!

[@KingKong-mp6gj]

FM3 wins, obviously. Everyone saying otherwise needs to lay off the crack pipe imo. Did you use the same IRs on both units? I wonder how much of the Headrush's shortcomings were to simple EQ tweaking.

[@hb8482]

The HRP sounded a little more ‘brittle’ c/w the fm3 in the deluxe reverb. And for the jcm800 the fm3 seemed a little fuller.

[@tswpedals]

Agreed

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

Sounds like the minor differences could be negated with EQ.

[@hb8482]

It might or might not. I have often tried tone matching different modelers and it can be more work than it’s worth it at the end of the day. On the flip side we are talking about isolated tones. In a mix I agree you could likely get much closer.

[@tswpedals]

@@Bridging_the_Political_Divide it really sort of depends. So what i hear in the room is a depth out of the FM3 that I cant get out of the Prime. Even with eq

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

@@tswpedals. I respect your observation. I certainly won't deny the quality of Fractal sounds as I have an AX8 that I love in addition to my original HR board, and now Prime. The tones in my AX8 are incredible.

[@kellygreenii]

Which sounds better is subjective. They both do cleans well. I prefer the distortion sounds on the Headrush. It does 12AX7 sounds better. Axe FX does the modern American sounds better. The real difference is that Headrush is less capable but MUCH easier to use. The Axe Fx can do almost anything you want, but the learning curve is steep. Experienced digital player? AxeFX. New to modeling and digital music? HRP.

[@tswpedals]

I feel like the cleans are more thin on the Headrush. Both clean and dirty are usable on both units. Headrush sounds more polished for dirty while the FM3 sounds more amp like.

[@kellygreenii]

@@tswpedals My ear would agree with that.

[@justinTime077]

Meh, if you’re wanting something more true to the amp then it doesn’t matter what is easier. When I was cycling through all the top modelers (prior to trying FAS) I was like why does this output some shit that doesn’t make sense to my fingers? Then I tried the Axe 3 and was like, oh, modeling *does* work..! The interface doesn’t matter to me, I’ll learn whichever is worth my while.

[@richardmitchell8213]

At the end of the day, it’s your money and choice, do as you see fit.

[@SomekidthatplaysVR]

the fractal sounds clearer, maybe that's what being a thinner comment is about

[@RogerTodger154]

Axe Fx sounded vastly better in every instance. The cleans were much more open with better top end and without the cloudy midrange the Headrush had. Same with the Marshall clip. The Axe Fx was more open and clearer. Axe Fx destroyed that Headrush here. Also please no distorted rhythm with neck pickup next time. Yuck.

[@KingKong-mp6gj]

Exactly my thoughts. Kinda surprised how many believe the Headrush to be better sounding, what are people smoking?

[@pauljosse]

At first axe sounds better but after a bit it doesn't and then headrush sounds better

[@liedjaeger]

It seems to me de FM3 sound is more refined, meaning the lows are better sounding and the definition of the individual strings resonate a lot better, simulating better a real amp.

[@tswpedals]

I agree. In the room listening and playing, I feel like it responds much closer to a real amp.

[@BagusWibisono]

@@tswpedalsyou meaning is fm3 for better sound and response?

[@milanosde]

There are substancial differences, maybe due to the difference in IR captures. In this demo, the Headrush sounds more "mix ready" while the FM3 would need more tweaking, in my modest opinion. Thanks for the video.

[@dougworden4248]

Running this through monitors the HeadRush had a better sound

[@jefferybravo]

Really both are great

[@akifuyoart4808]

For me tho if it sound great then ill pick one out of two But the headrush look bigger so ill take the headrush Yes i know it gonna be heavier than the other one but damn i would look cool =)))

I am very new to the modelling scene and wanted to buy a modeller for gigs. I think in this demo FM3 sounded more clearer. Whenever you switch from fm3 to headrush, it sounded like there's a blanket on the headrush. Thank you very much!

[@tswpedals]

Agreed!!

[@justinTime077]

Fractal can’t be beat for the physical input and output experienced. It feels most like you’re playing an amp and not a computer program that’s interpreting your input before you hear it.

[@ysteinliavag5830]

Headrush sounds best!

[@petesmith6434]

The Fractal FM3 sounds far superior to the Headrush unit. The FM3 tones are far more realistic and polished. The Headrush tones are low quality lo-fi approximations of the real amp tones. The recording was flawed during the second set of comparisons…the FM3 was set to overdrive the FM3 output (its in the red) and therefore, the input channel on the DAW may be overdriven also so there was digital distortion induced. So, my comment is based on the first set of comparisons.

[@Jan-wm5mw]

Axe sound one level more naturally period 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@tswpedals]

I agree

[@MOAB-UT]

Not sure what a AxeFX FM3 is. I have heard of a FM3. It beats Headrush by a country mile. Not even close. Personally I went with a FM9.

[@DIGITAL7Media]

As someone who hates cable disorganization....this video gave me anxiety.

[@pauljosse]

HEADRUSH won

[@elantric]

Tune the guitar next time

[@gmusiclarsen1163]

Headrush sounds live and present, fm3 sounds compressed and nasal.

[@Waldek.k]

The sound doesn't matter, both are correct. Headrush Prime has more features and is easy to configure.

[@justinTime077]

If you ride a fence too long you’ll take a post up the b-hole and have said nothing.

[@Berk-tm5zx]

fm3 wins

[@mirizguitar9181]

Headrush the best

[@jeremyjameslv]

One of those pedals are out of tune.. lol

[@druidhugger6311]

I have no skin in the game but it is obvious the axe ex is much better

[@tswpedals]

The only thing that I think is better is the user interface on the prime. Thats it.

[@chrisstout8451]

It would be better if the guitar was more in tune. Maybe it’s an intonation problem.

[@tswpedals]

So I wanted to react negatively. But I took your advise and checked. Yes 3 strings were out by 2 cents on the tuner 12th fret compared to upen. Moving forward with this guitar should not be an issue. Thank you!

[@JeffV]

Both good but not as good as those socks

[@dnottis]

that digital fuzz from the FM3, terrible. Glad I have the prime.

[@youngstar9912]

very stupid comparison! fm 3 is another level, headrush can be compared with hotone AMPERO, line 6 helix, mooer, nux, but not with fractal.

[@gabrielestriuli6590]

No sense video