Ampeg PF-500, pf-115HE vs 410

Jdog568404 · #1 12-25-2011, 10:51 PM

Ok, so .... I am in need of a new amp (obviously Ampeg is a likely choice). Affordability is nice, which is what the PF-500 is, with plenty of power. My question to the community is how loud is the 115HE compared to a regular ampeg 410? And what's the difference? Do you sacrifice tone and loudness for less weight? Please tell me a lot about each and I'd like it if you've had experience and/or played around with each. I'm still only a semi-pro bassist who needs advice! Thanks guys

JimmyM · #2 12-26-2011, 12:10 AM

You don't sacrifice tone at all with the PF115he, but you do lose some volume compared to a 410. A 115 is more comparable to a 210 in output.

I own two PF115he's, and I've played Ampeg 410's numerous times on gigs over the years. So Ampeg has two main 410's, a 410he and a 410hlf. The 410he is a sealed cab tuned more like the 810e, with a low end that's not subsonic or anything but works very well in a mix to keep from sounding muddy. The 410hlf goes insanely low, one of the lowest going cabs on the market. Some players love that low end, but I'm more into the low end of the 410he. Personal preference...just what I grew up with and recognize as good bass tone. The PF115he has a low end that's voiced between the two different 410's. Not too low...not too high.

Jdog568404 · #3 12-26-2011, 10:06 AM

Alright ... Sounds like I am taking a trip to GC to find my preference out! But you own 2 115s and they are loud enough to gig with? Like you have never had trouble keeping up with the guitarists huge Marshall stack or whatever right?

Jdog568404 · #4 12-26-2011, 10:13 AM

Also, if I bought the pf-500 with the 115 but later I wanted to get a bigger sound, could the pf-500 power 2 410s?

SubSectorSucker · #5 12-26-2011, 10:36 AM

Yep.. Provided that both 410s were 8ohms

JimmyM · #6 12-26-2011, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdog568404

Alright ... Sounds like I am taking a trip to GC to find my preference out! But you own 2 115s and they are loud enough to gig with? Like you have never had trouble keeping up with the guitarists huge Marshall stack or whatever right?

I don't play in bands where I have to worry about it, quite honestly, but considering its output is about the same as a 410, I'd say two PF115's would do as well as a 410 in keeping up.

Jdog568404 · #7 12-26-2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I don't play in bands where I have to worry about it, quite honestly, but considering its output is about the same as a 410, I'd say two PF115's would do as well as a 410 in keeping up.

2 115s would do as well as 1 410 or 2?

JimmyM · #8 12-26-2011, 10:58 AM

Two 115's would do as well as one 410. Usually. And in this case with the Ampeg cabs.

tekdiver500ft · #9 12-26-2011, 11:02 AM

Two PF-115s is slightly louder than one long-travel, high-power 410. A long-throw 15" moves a little more air than two 10" speakers.

Jdog568404 · #10 12-26-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubSectorSucker

Yep.. Provided that both 410s were 8ohms

Why would they need to be 8 ohms? Im a rookie on omhs and watts I know generally the more watts the loud, usually? But correct me if I'm wrong. Also, I currently have a acoustic B100 which is 100W at 4 omhs. So could I hook the pf-500 with its 115He and then link the HE to my 100W combo and use it as a cab as well or what?

Jdog568404 · #11 12-26-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdog568404

Why would they need to be 8 ohms? Im a rookie on omhs and watts I know generally the more watts the loud, usually? But correct me if I'm wrong. Also, I currently have a acoustic B100 which is 100W at 4 omhs. So could I hook the pf-500 with its 115He and then link the HE to my 100W combo and use it as a cab as well or what?

The louder,*

Jdog568404 · #12 12-26-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

Two PF-115s is slightly louder than one long-travel, high-power 410. A long-throw 15" moves a little more air than two 10" speakers.

So 2 115HEs would be good enough for gigs?

tekdiver500ft · #13 12-26-2011, 11:08 AM

In order to use two cabinets, their combined impedance needs to be greater than or equal to the minimum impedance rating of the cabinet. When combining cabs, use this formula: ZT = (Z1Z2)/(Z1 + Z2) Where impedance = Z, and the numbers are the various cabs, and T is the total. Thus, with two 8 ohm cabs: (8*8)/(8+8)=(64)/(16)=4 ohms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jdog568404

So 2 115HEs would be good enough for gigs?

Absolutely! Especially since (generally) the cabs are only for stage reference anyway, and the main sound goes out the DI to the FOH mains.

Jdog568404 · #14 12-26-2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

In order to use two cabinets, their combined impedance needs to be greater than or equal to the minimum impedance rating of the cabinet. When combining cabs, use this formula: ZT = (Z1Z2)/(Z1 + Z2) Where impedance = Z, and the numbers are the various cabs, and T is the total. Thus, with two 8 ohm cabs: (8*8)/(8+8)=(64)/(16)=4 ohms.

Absolutely! Especially since (generally) the cabs are only for stage reference anyway, and the main sound goes out the DI to the FOH mains.

Ok so ... The pf-500 is 500W at 4 omhs .. The 115HE is 450W at 8 omhs and my acoustic combo is 100W at 4 omhs .. Would this check out? (8*4)/(8+4) = 2.6667 about .. Is that right? I'm still a little confused (never taken physics)

Ok that's great! Ill prolly just start with buying 1 portaflex 500 with 115 and then go from there.

bassguppy · #15 12-26-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft

In order to use two cabinets, their combined impedance needs to be greater than or equal to the minimum impedance rating of the cabinet. When combining cabs, use this formula: ZT = (Z1Z2)/(Z1 + Z2) Where impedance = Z, and the numbers are the various cabs, and T is the total. Thus, with two 8 ohm cabs: (8*8)/(8+8)=(64)/(16)=4 ohms.

well that's looks very mathmatical.

But for stupid people like me who can barely do arithmetic the Ampeg PF500 will only take a minimum load of 4 ohms and no lower than that. That means you can use 1 - 4ohm cabinet (many 410's are wired this way, very few 15's or 210's). OR....you could use 2 - 8ohm cabs (many 410's, 115's, 210's & 112's).

I like the 2 8ohm cab option as I can bring one cab for smaller gigs and 2 cabs for the bigger ones.

And 2 PF115's would be stellar for all but the biggest stadiums.

Jdog568404 · #16 12-26-2011, 12:37 PM

Alright thanks guys! You really helped! But one more question. As far as tone is the portaflex as amazing as the SVT 3 Pro servies and etc? (I'm not planning on buying another amp for a while.

tekdiver500ft · #17 12-26-2011, 02:12 PM

The PF-500 has tone in spades, maybe even better than the 3 Pro.

Latanza Heist · #18 12-28-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassguppy

well that's looks very mathmatical.

But for stupid people like me who can barely do arithmetic the Ampeg PF500 will only take a minimum load of 4 ohms and no lower than that. That means you can use 1 - 4ohm cabinet (many 410's are wired this way, very few 15's or 210's). OR....you could use 2 - 8ohm cabs (many 410's, 115's, 210's & 112's).

I like the 2 8ohm cab option as I can bring one cab for smaller gigs and 2 cabs for the bigger ones.

And 2 PF115's would be stellar for all but the biggest stadiums.

I got the PF500 and the PF115 for xmas.

I want to get another cab. Do you recommend the 210 or just get another 115?

tekdiver500ft · #19 12-28-2011, 10:33 AM

I'd get another 115.

bassguppy · #20 12-28-2011, 10:35 AM

If you like the PF115 then doubling the goodness is a smart move.