I still don't understand why one has to have a mic sim in conjunction with a cabinet sim. It seems to me that when running the B3n into a power amp and an FRFR cabinet in a live situation I should have the option of hearing the amp/cab combo as if it were in the room or mic'ed through a PA. The mic sim is ideal for recording or for modeling an amp/cab/mic/PA live setting but why not the amp/cab/room option?
Without knowing exactly how ZOOM is implementing IR (Impulse Response) technology in their CAB SIM block, it's hard to know whether each MIC option is its own discrete IR of the cabinet used, or whether these MIC options are themselves some sort of filter that is overlaid onto a neutral cabinet IR (in other words, an IR captured with a flat reference mic like the Earthworks M50).
In any event, it sounds like what you're looking for is a cabinet IR that is totally uncolored by the microphone, and that's a valid desire. Unfortunately, the B3n cab sim block isn't designed that way, or so it would seem, so I guess we just have to keep in mind that for $199, there are going to be a lot of pet peeves to lament. Of course, the more expensive modelers (Atomic Amplifire, Helix, AX8/AxeFxII) allow you to load in any cabinet IR you choose, including ones shot with a reference mic (no coloration).
It's of little consolation, but there are a couple of small, relatively inexpensive IR loading/playback devices available that would allow you to seek out and use 3rd party cabinet IRs (Ownhammer, 3 Sigma, etc.) which include those captured with a reference microphone.
The whole cab sim IR implementation is such a rabbit-hole, I personally have grown tired of all the chasing, and have chosen to work within the limitations of the cab sim devices I own and move on. I feel that with the wet/dry blend carefully dialed-in to my taste, things are fine. It is an interesting - though time consuming - process to go through and understand, and I found the experience valuable.



