hartke cab advice?

[lokikallas]

I was looking into picking up some used hartke cabs to supplement my pro3/svthlf410 setup. I used to use the old "transient attack" series 410xl by hartke (a slightly less powerfull version of the current 410xl), and traded in for the ampeg cab. While I like the hlf, it does lack a little bit of the mids and bite I had with the hartke. The hlf has great lows, but is scooped a little in the mids, and the horn is a little touchy. While the hlf works perfectly when I'm jamming with my hiphop/r&b and pop bands, I miss the hartke sound with my metal band. I saw GC has a few used 2.5xl's for a decent price, and was thinking about either pairing 2 together, or 1 with a 115xl. I like the idea of the 5" tweeter opposed to a horn. I know the whole "don't mix your 10's and 15's" thing is a big thing on here, but I wonder who has done this, and what your experiences are. Are there any funky comb filter or cancellations that happen? I'm not going to get a 410xl, or the 4.5, because they are just a pain to haul. The hlf is enough of a pain. I'm not getting rid of the hlf, but I would like to have an alternate cab setup depending on the genre I'm playing.

[jarrydee]

Sorry I have no help for you but since you used a few hartke's I was wondering if you think they would be good for a classic rock cover gig...was thinking about the Hartke 4.5XL

[TRichardsbass]

Read this Talkbass thread:

Hartke 2.5XL review

It is noted by some they like them better then the Ampeg HLF.

I would say, if you are hitting the metal, one 2.5XL and the 1x15. It should sit in the mix exactly where you want it. I'm not sure two 2.5's will do what you would like to. I've never gigged two of 'em, but I'm thinking because they are ported you might not like the sound of the two stacked. But that is just my opinion.

Either way, Hartke stuff always is road worthy and takes a lickin' and....

[sad_katz]

Try their newer HyDrive HX-410. They're lighter than the usual ceramics 410 cabs and sounds punchy, IIRC. They're half aluminum cones and have that bite in the highs, might work with metal bands.

Another advice I can say (especially for classic rock gigs ) is the AK-410 cabs. Big warm lows and mid-punchy with smoothed off highs.
I'd describe the lows as "wide" rather than "deep" like the HFL and definitely has more mids.

I've tried a GK MB500/410HLF rig once and I like the AK-410 better for the mids while not lacking in the lows.

Whatever you decide, avoid 410/115 pairings. Either go 410/410 or 115/115 to avoid phasing issues and accidentally overpowering your 115.

Admittedly I have no experience with the 4.5xl and 2.5xl, sorry about that.

[lweastdad]

I play in a classic rock cover band and use Hartke LH1000 with the Hydrive 4x10 and 1x15. Love it.