Ampeg SVT 410he vs. SVT 410hlf

#1 12-03-2008, 01:56 PM

Ok, I'm on the verge of making a purchase here:

I'm building a pre/power setup and trying to go as modular as possible. I'd love to have an SVT 8X10, but I just don't have the room in my place or means to transport it. Therefore, I'm going to have to go multiple cabs. This means probably two 4x10 cabs down the road, and for now I start with one. Honestly, I'll probably just be gigging and rehearsing with one 4x10 for a while. I even might end up just having only one 4x10 for good.

My question(s):

Should I go with a 4x10hlf or 4x10he? I like the 4x10he, but it seems to lack roundness and bottom at louder volumes, although it is a pretty articulate cab. The 4x10hlf has nice bottom, but it can get muddy and inarticulate at louder volumes.

Any suggestions as to which one I should go with, if I'm only going to have one cab for quite a while? Note that I play an active 5 string, and will probably be playing in the extreme metal to progressive genre. Loud, two guitarists with half stacks, drummer, and screaming vocalist.

Tks.

RickenBoogie · #2 12-03-2008, 01:59 PM

The big question is, do you want a 4 or 8 ohm cab? Aside from the HLF being bigger, and ported, it's also only available as a 4 ohm cab. The HE is smaller, sealed, and 8 ohms.

EricF · #3 12-03-2008, 02:04 PM

Pay attention to your Ohms. The HLF is a 4 Ohm cab, and the HE is 8 Ohms. If you're planning to run 2 cabs at a later date, your amp will need to be able to go to 2 Ohms to use two HLFs. If you need loud from one cab, the HLF will do a better job than the HE.

The HLF certainly has more bottom end response than the HE. Some people love it, some not so much.

Personally, I dig my SVT-CL + 410HLF rig.

OptimusPrime · #4 12-03-2008, 02:12 PM

I'm pissed that my 410HEN wont work with the CL I'm getting Sunday. I'll probably end up with an HLF in the near future.

#5 12-03-2008, 02:43 PM

I'm running a fairly versatile two channel power amp, so ohms are really not an issue.

JimmyM · #6 12-03-2008, 03:29 PM

Does it have to be Ampeg? If I needed a 4 ohm 410, I'd go for another brand instead of the HLF. I like the HE a lot, but it's 8 ohms and your point about the low end (although I don't notice it myself) is well-taken. But boy, that HLF cab can be really muddy. I used one a couple weeks ago and I struggled with getting any definition out of it.

hyp.spec · #7 12-09-2008, 05:22 PM

I've owned a 410HEN for 2 years and just traded it out for an HLF.

The HE is great if you want a seriously articulate sound, so long as you rely on low mids instead of lows.

With that said, the HLF is a great cabinet too, and I find I can get articulate enough if I put the LowMids/Lows down. By doing that It gets closer to the HE sound.

If you're only going 4 string, consider the HE, but if you play 5 or downtune a 4, go for the HLF.

my 2 cents

Gearhead17 · #8 12-09-2008, 08:11 PM

Means for transporting an 810e - Most 4 door cars are able to transport an 810e. Utilizing back seats and pushing front seats up a little usually does it. Putting it in your place of residency? If you have stairs and many of them - I can see a problem, otherwise it takes up just as much room as any other cabinet, but stands taller.

410he - the other bass players here have described the tone of this cab well, follow what they said.

410hlf - I had two of them and all they put out is a non-articulate mess of bass sounds. The extra low end was nothing to be excited about it either. In a band situation, it was drowned out by the guitarists immediately. Plus, the extra low end is going to eat up a lot of extra fire power from your amp.

The Eden 410XLT is one heck of a loud 410, not super low sounding, but it gets the job done. Markbass makes a good 410, and Bergantino makes some good 610's. The ones I mentioned are some of the louder cabs available. In an extreme metal band, you need something loud.

rbonner · #9 12-09-2008, 09:02 PM

The 410HLF will move tremendous amounts of air, you need a very serious power amp to drive it. I would much rather have two HLFs than 1 810E... But they are different animals and need to be tweeked differently.

We all know Jimmy thinks they are muddy, we all know I like the ZOOM they provide. Both of us are right. The best recomendation is plug in and play both if you can. But no matter what take a serious power amp, dont plug in a B2R and expect it to power a 410HLF. BOB

#10 12-10-2008, 06:01 AM

Thanks for all the input folks. I'll be powering the 410 HLF with a QSC GX5, 800 watts per channel. I'll be using a Sansamp RBI as a pre-amp. Hopefully, it'll all work out. Later on down the road, I can see myself getting a more powerful and more articulate cab. I think my current setup will work for a while, though.

Sten · #11 12-10-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhan

TI'll be powering the 410 HLF with a QSC GX5, 800 watts per channel. I'll be using a Sansamp RBI as a pre-amp. Hopefully, it'll all work out.

I play with Sansamp Bassdriver programmable(same sound as RBI) and 410HLF, it sounds great and really fits into a band (loud rock, not tried metal with it yet, but should be as good there). You can adjust the sound of your cab from behind, it makes a difference.

I use a Warwick ProFet 5.1 head (BD straight to fx return) to power it, also active 5-string bass.

I have to admit, it is a bit hard to put it in the car alone if you don't have a flat bottom with no edge.

Williamsburgjim · #12 12-10-2008, 11:14 AM

...agree with alot said, especially the ohms issue cause that will effect your max. headroom. I have both cabs. In my experience, the HLF can get muddy if you use, say an SVTCL with it. Otherwise, it's a great 4 ohm cab that can even be used a standalone...since it covers alot of freq. However, the one thing I've always liked about the 410e is that since I tend to pluck hard the the low B, the nature of the cab causes that feq. to 'roll-off' quicker giving the B a tighter sound. And so I don't have to worry about booming as much.

...just some more thoughts.... .

Jimbob

Groovy_Gravy · #13 02-28-2013, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

The big question is, do you want a 4 or 8 ohm cab? Aside from the HLF being bigger, and ported, it's also only available as a 4 ohm cab. The HE is smaller, sealed, and 8 ohms.

kj n

capncal · #14 02-28-2013, 02:24 PM

HLF is a full range cab. the HE is for High End frequencies. start with the HLF, then add the HE later if that's what you choose to do. also, pay attention to ohms. i have no idea how they work, but if your head isn't right it won't be able to run the two cabs at the same time. i don't know how that all works though even having read tons and tons of stuff about it....

**CL400Peavey** · #15 02-28-2013, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capncal

HLF is a full range cab. the HE is for High End frequencies. start with the HLF, then add the HE later if that's what you choose to do. also, pay attention to ohms. i have no idea how they work, but if your head isn't right it won't be able to run the two cabs at the same time. i don't know how that all works though even having read tons and tons of stuff about it....

This statement is completely false.

capncal · #16 02-28-2013, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

This statement is completely false.

enlighten me, sir. what is the difference in the HE vs. the HLF?

elwuss · #17 02-28-2013, 02:37 PM

i tried SVT 410 HE - didn't like it at all.

then I tried Ampeg 410 NEO - really nice, but pricey.

capncal · #18 02-28-2013, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CL400Peavey

This statement is completely false.

lifted from ampeg.com

"The Ampeg SVT-410HE is also the ideal enclosure for the player who wants to add extended upper register clarity to a system that already features ample low frequency performance. Just ask George Clinton—he uses an SVT-410E to round out the top-end of his killer, all-SVT stage setup. "

"This is the speaker cabinet for the bass player who demands the ultimate in a single, compact cabinet setup. The SVT-410HLF delivers devastating low-end bass, all the way down to 28Hz, thanks to four 10” speakers working together to move a tremendous amount of air. The SVT-410HLF actually moves 10% more air than two 18-inch speakers, and 25% more than three 15-inch speakers! And those leviathans simply can’t respond to transient peaks as quickly as four tens can.
"

but please, enlighten me.

Bass_Pounder · #19 02-28-2013, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capncal

lifted from ampeg.com

"The Ampeg SVT-410HE is also the ideal enclosure for the player who wants to add extended upper register clarity to a system that already features ample low frequency performance. Just ask George Clinton—he uses an SVT-410E to round out the top-end of his killer, all-SVT stage setup. "

"This is the speaker cabinet for the bass player who demands the ultimate in a single, compact cabinet setup. The SVT-410HLF delivers devastating low-end bass, all the way down to 28Hz, thanks to four 10” speakers working together to move a tremendous amount of air. The SVT-410HLF actually moves 10% more air than two 18-inch speakers, and 25% more than three 15-inch speakers! And those leviathans simply can’t respond to transient peaks as quickly as four tens can.
"

but please, enlighten me.

They are both FULL RANGE cabs

The HE is a sealed cab, voiced to sound like the fridge

The HLF is a ported cab, tuned low for extra low end extension.

Don't listen to marketing BS

capncal · #20 02-28-2013, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

They are both FULL RANGE cabs

The HE is a sealed cab, voiced to sound like the fridge

The HLF is a ported cab, tuned low for extra low end extension.

Don't listen to marketing BS

fair enough. why i should listen to what the manufacturer says about their own products is really beyond me anyway.