Cab(s) for Hartke 7000?

azzinoth1126 · #1 08-19-2010, 05:54 PM

Just picked up a used Hartke 7000 today and I have a few questions: 1. Is it okay to run this head (it's solid-state with two 350W power amps (not bridgeable)) with only one speaker cabinet (only one of the two power amps connected to a cab)? Would it damage the amp in any way? 2. What cab/cabs should I get for it? I'm looking for something cheap and I was thinking of getting a 4x10 plus a 1x15 and bi-amping. Another option I'm considering is getting a 8x10 or two 4x10s. I play mainly rock, alternative and some newer punk. What cabs can you suggest me (regardless of bi-amped or mono)?

clubdude · #2 08-20-2010, 09:53 AM

Yes, it's ok to run just one cab out of one of the power amps. It was designed so that you can run either one or two cabs. I used to run my LH1000 all the time through one cab at practice, and since that cab didn't have a speakon connection, I couldn't bridge the two amps. I didn't need that much power at rehearsal anyway. Had no probs with it.

If you have a strong back, a way to haul it, and forgiving bandmates (or the cab stays at home), An 8x10 is fine. But after lugging around two Ampeg 8x10's a long time ago, I swore off them. One or two Hartke 410XL's or even a 210XL's are affordable options for that head, will handle the power, and want break your back or your bank.

I'm a fan of multiple 10" speakers, so take that into account. I'm not so much a fan of single big speakers. Been there-Done that. I get all the bottom end I need out of 10's, and better mids and highs, plus more headroom. Most of the hard rockers and metal bands use 10's. Some of the milder ones use a combination of 10's and a 15. Guys like Vic Wooten and Jack Bruce use a 15" cab with a 410 cab, but they use mulitple stacks, so headroom is not an issue.

Just my $.02 worth.
CD
PM me if you are looking a 410 or 210.

azzinoth1126 · #3 08-22-2010, 01:52 PM

Thanks for the opinion

I have one more questiоn to you guys - What brand should I choose for "cheaper" cabinets - Hartke, Ashdown, Gallien-Krueger or maybe something else?

**bassybill** · #4 08-22-2010, 01:59 PM

I believe that amp is "stereo" (two power amp channels), so you need to be running it with two cabs if you want the full power - plugging one cab in will only use half of what you have.

If you want eight 10s and you can still get these, then two Hartke 4.5xl cabs would sound great with that amp and they're superb bang for buck. But OUCH, my back hurts just thinking about lugging them around.

BillyIVbass · #5 08-22-2010, 10:13 PM

This amp rules cuz it had a crossover. I used to run mine (sold it) with a Genz Benz 2x10 on top and and Ampeg 1x15 (EV 15b) as the sub. The amp had more than enough power.

Once I played a Don Pablos (Mexican chain restaurant) and I let the amp unleash what it was meant to do; digest food for people. We were never asked back.

BillyIVbass · #6 08-22-2010, 10:18 PM

Ah yeah, I forgot it was stereo. You could run FOUR cabs off of it if needed.

azzinoth1126 · #7 08-23-2010, 07:59 AM

BillyIVbass, with you configuration (10's and a 15') was there a big difference in sound between mono and stereo?

**bassybill** · #8 08-23-2010, 09:01 AM

I have a Hartke 5000 (pretty much the same amp, but 250+250W instead of 350+350W). I've used it with a 115 + 210 and 115 plus two 210 cabs, both bi-amped with lows to the 15 and highs to the 10s, and also full range signal to the 15 and the 10s; to be honest, the difference between bi-amping and not bi-amping was pretty minimal.

azzinoth1126 · #9 08-23-2010, 09:09 AM

Thanks. Also wondering, is there a way, if you run it bi-amped, to distort the high freqs (via a distortion pedal for instance), but leave the lows clean? The head has an FX Loop, but I think it affects both channels (am I right?)

**bassybill** · #10 08-23-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azzinoth1126

Thanks. Also wondering, is there a way, if you run it bi-amped, to distort the high freqs (via a distortion pedal for instance), but leave the lows clean? The head has an FX Loop, but I think it affects both channels (am I right?)

Yes, that's correct. I don't think there's an easy way to run FX on just one channel. But I really don't think you'd notice that much difference if you did, really. The human ear would hear both signals combined as pretty much a single entity and would have a hard job telling much difference between distorted highs/clean lows and slightly less distortion on the whole signal. At least, I suspect that's the case - no doubt I'll upset someone who considers distorted highs and clean lows a major part of their sound.

**bassybill** · #11 08-23-2010, 09:20 AM

Actually, thinking about it more, I'd love to hear that amp running SERIOUSLY LOUD into two Hartke 4.5xls. Talk about a wall of noise! Awesome. But really heavy to shift, as I said.

BillyIVbass · #12 08-23-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azzinoth1126

BillyIVbass, with you configuration (10's and a 15') was there a big difference in sound between mono and stereo?

I only ever used it in Mono. Never needed that much power. The head just wow, was loud.

clubdude · #13 08-23-2010, 10:27 PM

Another thought, and I don't know what your budget is or how loud you need to be, but the new little Hartke HyDrive HX112 is absolutely stunning!! I couldn't believe it was one 12" speaker. $349 each, which is the same price as a 410XL. Will handle 300 watts, and you can carry it easily in one hand. I heard a pair of them hooked to a LH500, and they really cooked. I couldn't believe it.

Of course, I still would prefer the 410XL (400w) for the same price (I'm the "ten man"), but for portability, versatility, tone, and power, these little babies are the shinola. They only weigh 30lbs, Neo magnet, and a 1" tweeter. Best feature: Switchable between 8ohms to 4ohms.

Larry and his guys are really getting their #%@! together.
http://www.samsontech.com/products/p...2042&brandID=3

azzinoth1126 · #14 08-24-2010, 08:24 AM

What about the 4x10 HyDrive cabinet? I can probably afford one of these and I've read good things about them. How do they sound, can they cut through in the live mix (I play with a lighter touch so that can sometimes be a problem

)?

clubdude · #15 08-25-2010, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azzinoth1126

What about the 4x10 HyDrive cabinet? I can probably afford one of these and I've read good things about them. How do they sound, can they cut through in the live mix (I play with a lighter touch so that can sometimes be a problem

)?

I have two HX410 HyDrives arriving Friday. Now you're talking!
But I think we were off talking about splitting signals, crossovers, etc, so that's why I didn't suggest one.

For the record, all the "name" Hartke guys play their rigs in Birdged Mode on their LH1000's. So they are playing in mono.
I loved my XL Hartke cabs, but the HyDrives blow me away.

I play with a light touch, also, and yes these will cut through if anything will. With the paper/aluminum combo cones, they have lows, mids, and highs covered. And will take a bunch of power.. 1,000 watts each. Plus they have a tweeter if you still don't think you're cutting through. I didn't even use the tweeter on my Avatar (that's now in my studio), and it's not nearly as punchy as the Hartke's.

Did I mention the HyDrives also are light, with Neo magnets? Weighs about 30 lbs less than my 410XL's. Big power, full range reproduction, light, cool looking, and affordable. What's not to like? And the best customer service anywhere. Just call Larry Hartke up on his cell phone. I do.

Go for it. You won't be disappointed.
CD

ric3xrt · #16 02-05-2011, 12:15 PM

For my rock band I use a HA7000 a pair of VX410s for the highs and a pair of VX1x15s for the lows.
Used the HyDrives for a while, but I like the VXs better.
Played with a Pair of 4x10 XLs for highs and a pair of custom 1x15 cabs with EVs in it, but went back to the VX for top and bottom.
When I 1st got the Ha7000 I used an old Peavey 3620, but the tone just never was to my liking(could be the 20something year old beat speakers, then tried an 1820 better but not what I was looking for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Yes, that's correct. I don't think there's an easy way to run FX on just one channel. But I really don't think you'd notice that much difference if you did, really. The human ear would hear both signals combined as pretty much a single entity and would have a hard job telling much difference between distorted highs/clean lows and slightly less distortion on the whole signal. At least, I suspect that's the case - no doubt I'll upset someone who considers distorted highs and clean lows a major part of their sound.

For My metal band I use a pair of 3500s one channel clean (Yamaha PB1 preamp ) and the other dirty (Rocktron Gainiac preamp) both run into thier own VX810
Back in the late 80s I used a Pearce BC1 to do my bi amping I would run the highs (everything above 1KHZ ) through a Marshall JCM 900 with a old DOD distortion pedal ,but like you sumrized in the end it all sounded the same. you could feel the lows from the peavey 3620s but sound wise it all sounded distorted.