Blackstar Artist FR Cabinet Standard 50 Watt 1X12

The Artist FR Standard is Blackstar's answer to a simple question that a lot of modeller players are asking right now: what do you plug into when you've gone digital but still want to feel like you're playing through an actual guitar amp? It's a powered FRFR 1x12 cabinet designed by the same team that builds Blackstar's amp line, and the intent shows — this looks, controls, and behaves more like a guitar combo than the PA-wedge-style FRFR options that dominate the market.

At 50 watts through a custom-designed 12-inch flat-response speaker with an integrated whizzer cone for high-frequency extension, the Standard is sized and powered for home use, studio work, and smaller gigs. It won't compete with a drummer in a full-volume rehearsal — that's what the 100-watt Artist FR Special is for — but for everything up to that, it's a compact and genuinely lightweight option at just under 11 kg.

Where this cab separates itself is in the control layout. Rather than burying EQ adjustment on the back panel like a lot of FRFR cabs, Blackstar put a full set of top-mounted controls right where you'd find them on a combo amp: Volume, a three-band active EQ (Bass, Middle, Treble) voiced specifically for guitar frequencies, and a passive Presence control for fine-tuning the top end. All three EQ knobs are centre-notched, so you can reset to flat in seconds — useful when you're switching between modellers, patches, or rooms. A clip LED provides instant level feedback.

Connectivity is straightforward: a combination XLR/1/4-inch input on the rear accepts balanced or unbalanced signals from whatever you're running, and a balanced XLR output with ground lift lets you send a signal to front of house without needing a separate mic or DI. A built-in kickstand tilts the cabinet back into monitor position for better projection toward your ears rather than your ankles. Power comes from a Class D amp section with universal switch-mode power supply, keeping the weight down and making it road-friendly worldwide.

Type: Active FRFR Powered Cabinet
Power: 50W (Class D)
Speaker: 1 x 12" Custom Flat-Response with Whizzer Cone
Cabinet Type: Closed-back, straight
Controls: Volume, Bass (active), Middle (active), Treble (active), Presence (passive)
Clip LED: Yes
Input: XLR / 1/4" Combo (balanced)
Output: XLR (balanced, with Ground Lift)
Power Section: Class D with Universal SMPS
Kickstand: Built-in (tilt-back monitoring)
Covering: Black Tolex
Weight: 10.72 kg (23.6 lbs)
Dimensions: 461 x 387 x 230 mm (W x H x D)
Included: Power Cable