Hartke 3500 with 410 or 215?

[metlman72]

Right now I am playing through a Hartke VX3500. It is a HA 3500 head with a 4 ohm 410 cabinet. I have the chance to pick up a Hartke 3500 head (the original mosfet one) with a Crate 215 cabinet also 4 ohm. Also I could easily sell my VX for at least what the other rig will cost me. Will I see an increase in volume? Is it actually a better rig? I am happy with the VX3500 but sometimes need just a little bit more and it just doesn't have it.

[will33]

The cabs are apples and oranges to where you'd have to hear them side by side. I'd expect pretty different overall tone between the two but sheer output might not be that much different.

[jungleheat]

If I understand correctly, you have a 4x10 combo right now? And you could get a separate head and cab for the same price you could sell yours for? The problem is the Crate cab probably isn't that great.

I definitely think it would be better to have a separate head and cab, the question is, would you be able to sell the Crate cab (unless you did happen to like it a lot) for enough to get a better cab, and be out of pocket for either nothing or a small enough number that having "separates" would be worth it (or just a better cab than you have now)?

As far as volume, in general, a 2x15 isn't necessarily much louder than a 4x10. It really depends on the sensitivity of the speakers. A 2x15 is also a big commitment in terms of size and weight. Personally, I like 15s in general though, so that's probably what I would prefer over a 4x10.

[metlman72]

Originally Posted by jungleheat

If I understand correctly, you have a 4x10 combo right now? And you could get a separate head and cab for the same price you could sell yours for? The problem is the Crate cab probably isn't that great.

I definitely think it would be better to have a separate head and cab, the question is, would you be able to sell the Crate cab (unless you did happen to like it a lot) for enough to get a better cab, and be out of pocket for either nothing or a small enough number that having "separates" would be worth it (or just a better cab than you have now)?

As far as volume, in general, a 2x15 isn't necessarily much louder than a 4x10. It really depends on the sensitivity of the speakers. A 2x15 is also a big commitment in terms of size and weight. Personally, I like 15s in general though, so that's probably what I would prefer over a 4x10.

I am not worried that much about seperate head and cabinet. I could actually take that head right out of the combo and use it stand alone. Its actually a HA3500 head they screwed into the 410 cabinet.

The head that comes with the 215 cab is the older mosfet version of the same head. I personally think they are better. So there I make out.

Yes my concern is the cabinet (crate 215 that is). Number one does a 215 move more air? Is it any louder? Is the 215 gonna handle more of the 350 watts than a 410. Hartke say my VX410 is rated for 350 watts, and I can run it to 6 then it starts to distort. I have never played with 215 combo so I don't know much about them. I had a crate 100 watt combo with 115 that wasn't that good.

I just don't want to make a lateral move on the cabinet, as I know I make out by switching to the mosfet 3500 vs the HA3500 I use now.

[metlman72]

Wow just did some research on Crate 215 cabinet, 200 watts at 4 ohm. I am gonna stick with my 350 watt VX410 cabinet for now.

[RickenBoogie]

good choice, the Crate 215 would be iffy at best.

[ric3xrt]

the crate 2x15 is the weak link in what you were looking at. The cab not bad it's what in it that sux.
If you can find a VX2x15 cab , it's great cab to use with the HA3500 head..and +1 on the mosfet vs the new Ha3500s.

[metlman72]

I may just pick up the Hartke 3500. Then swap it out with my HA3500. I can probably sell the HA 3500 for what I will pay for just the head.

[Dustin Teel]

I would still stick with the 2x15 idea, even if it's not the crate. Hartke made a 2x15 (XL?) with the aluminum cones that got outstanding reviews - it would pair greatly with a 3500.

Two vertically aligned speakers are going to have better midrange dispersion than a square of 10s.

[will33]

Originally Posted by metlman72

I am not worried that much about seperate head and cabinet. I could actually take that head right out of the combo and use it stand alone. Its actually a HA3500 head they screwed into the 410 cabinet.

The head that comes with the 215 cab is the older mosfet version of the same head. I personally think they are better. So there I make out.

Yes my concern is the cabinet (crate 215 that is). Number one does a 215 move more air? Is it any louder? Is the 215 gonna handle more of the 350 watts than a 410. Hartke say my VX410 is rated for 350 watts, and I can run it to 6 then it starts to distort. I have never played with 215 combo so I don't know much about them. I had a crate 100 watt combo with 115 that wasn't that good.

I just don't want to make a lateral move on the cabinet, as I know I make out by switching to the mosfet 3500 vs the HA3500 I use now.

Your distorting at 6 has to do with the excursion limits of the cab, which nobody publishes. The only way to know would be to play them both. The Crate is pretty budget stuff but you still won't know without listening. Also the volume knobs on most amps are anything but even throughout the dial. Setting it on 6 out of 10 in no way means you're at 60% output or anything. I've had some where the entire useful adjustment was in the first 1/2 of the dial.