Ampeg PF115 or SVT-210AV?

[ritual]

Usually, my band practices at our drummer’s house, though sometimes we play at the guitarist’s house. But we are probably going to split it evenly between the drummer’s and guitarist’s homes soon. I currently have a SVT-410HLF and B2-RE rig that permanently stays at the drummer’s house. At home, I practice with a Fender Rumble 75 and it serves me pretty well when I’m on my own, but really doesn’t hold up to playing together as a group the times that I’ve brought it over to the guitarist’s house. And I’m not about to move that 410 setup every week.

So, this gives me the excuse to buy new gear! I’m debating between getting a PF115 cab or the SVT-210AV, since that would sit in the middle of my big rig and the practice amp. I’m pretty set on getting a PF-350 head. I was thinking about the Micro VR since the style goes well w/ the 210AV, but the PF-350 looks damn sexy itself and may as well get more power for the same price. Plus, some of the issues I’ve seen here about running 2 cabs with the Micro VR is scaring me off a little.

The cabs both look good, so I’d be happy either way. I like the 210AV since it’s pretty small, and would be relatively unobtrusive if I leave it at the guitarist’s house, and light if I do need to transport it around. And I can always get a second cab if I ever need more headroom. I am a little concerned that I’d be feeding it an extra 50 watts over what it’s rated for, but as long as I don’t crank the volume all the way up, it shouldn’t be a problem. The PF115 wouldn’t have that issue though.

The kind of music we play is rock covers, a little pop, and a just a little metal thrown in too. I play a 5 string, so being able to reproduce the low B accurately would be nice for me, but not really needed in the music I’m playing w/ the band.

What it comes down to though really is the sound and the $100 difference. I know it’s subjective, but does the PF115 sound better than the 210AV? And if so, is it $100 better? Would I be disappointed in comparison to my B2RE/410HLF, other than in the sheer volume output? Thanks for your opinions!

[JimmyM]

I love both cabs to death, and in fact will be bringing my 69 SVT and two 210av's to my gig tomorrow! But if I had to choose only one type of cab, it would be the PF115he. The 210av's are fantastic medium duty cabs that are super light. But they don't go as low as the PF115, nor will they take the pounding that the PF115 will take. The 210av certainly goes low enough for my tastes, and I can get way louder than I would ever need with one, but I think most working bassists would prefer the PF115. And if you like the 410HLF, definitely cough up the extra hundy for the PF115.

[nutdog]

The SVT210 will handle the power OK. I've been running one with a PF500. Just be reasonable. But you don't have to be overly reasonable. It will get pretty loud.

However it would seem the PF115 would suit your needs better. If the weight's not an issue, get the one that will go lower and take more power. It will probably be $100 better.

Musician's friend has 15% off right now. It says ampeg is excluded but when I bought mine over labor day they said that too but it worked anyway.

[rodl2005]

Would the PF210 suit the op's needs a LITTLE better, as it goes a li'l lower ?
Just wondering...

[JimmyM]

Rod, actually the PF115 is what goes lower.

[rodl2005]

Is it??
Sheesh! I thought the PF210 went lower than the PF115.
Sorry, I'm just a regular customer

[rodl2005]

On the Ampeg site it says the following.... is it different when you play or in "Real world" ????
I haven't compared the cabs. I HAVE played both but it was at different stores & a cuppla months apart. I thought they sounded pretty similar. Similar enough to make me think MAYBE , Just maybe I'd go for the 210 even tho I love 15"s hmmmmmm???

PF210Vintage Portaflex flip-top cabinet design
Black diamond tolex
Vintage B-15 grille cloth
Rugged 15mm poplar ply enclosure
450W RMS power handling @ 8 ohms
2 x 10˝ ceramic Eminence® LF drivers
1˝ HF compression driver w/L-Pad level control
Frequency response: 37 Hz – 17 kHz
Sensitivity: 99.6 dB SPL @ 1w/1m
Dimensions (H x W x D inches): 23 x 21 x 14
Handling weight: 48 lbs / 21.6 kg


PF 115
Vintage Portaflex flip-top cabinet design
Black diamond tolex
Vintage B-15 grille cloth
Rugged 15mm poplar ply enclosure
450W RMS power handling @ 8 ohms
1 x 15˝ ceramic Eminence® LF driver
1˝ HF compression driver w/L-Pad level control
Frequency response: 44 Hz – 17 kHz
Sensitivity: 99.5 dB SPL @ 1w/1m
Dimensions (H x W x D inches): 23 x 21 x 14
Handling weight: 45 lbs / 20.4 kg

Thats why I thought the 210 went a li'l lower & MIGHT be slightly better for a 5'er... No?

[JimmyM]

I'm going by the manual, which says the PF210 is 3db down at 53hz and 10db down at 38hz, while the PF115 is 3db down at 50hz and 10db down at 35.

[rodl2005]

Oh ok. Gotcha! Thanks.
Have you done a side x side comparison of the 2 cabs Jimmy?
I seem to recall you saying it (the pf210) was pretty similar to the pf115, but, as always,I could be wrong! :-/
As I've said, I'm perfectly happy with my Berg cabs, & was originally interested in these pf cabs as getting 2 pf115's - as I like 15"s, LOVE the look, like Ampeg & also like the sealed design & the flip top style/design.....
hmmmm, seems like a lotta good reasons to....
Such a lovely design, I can't see me holding off, but would have to flip my M.B. HR115's 1st.
Decisions decisions!
Oh & ps, sorry to send this OT.

[JimmyM]

You were right, Rod. They are VERY similar sounding, both have the B-15 sound, and while there are differences, they're slight. I went with the 115 because that's how I roll.

[ritual]

I was almost completely sold on the 115, but now you have me thinking about the weight! Since the 210 is pretty light, it wouldn't be too bad bringing it back and forth, and then I'd get to use it at home instead of the not so great Fender.........

[Tom Barron 9]

Hello i stumbled across this thread when researching about an amp that i would like
first of all im not a huge bass player and normally only play small venues of about 100 people or less my current set up is fender p bass with a 95 watt behringer combo bass amp

i fancied a change so ive considered the ampeg micro vr with the ampeg 210 cab but ive wondered if i would be able to use an ampeg pf-350 with a single ampeg 210 cab so i have the extra power if/when i eventually need it

i was just wondering if there would be any power problems running a single 210 cab with a PF-350 head ? any replies are appreciated

[dls59]

I used a PF350 and an SVT210AV this morning. Beautiful sound. I normally use two 210s with the 350 and one cab with my Micro VR.