Hartke HX410 HyDrive cabs, owners opinions?

[FunkyMan]

I couldn't find much information on them, I'm thinking about buying one of these, would appreciate your opinions, I'm into funk-jazz fusion music, modern sound!

Thanks

[bassgrant]

If you play funk/fusion you should love them. I got mine to complete my 115/410/lh1000 hydrive stack because like yourself i crave an edgey modern sound and it really delivers on that front. Ill probs never need another rig tbh

[FunkyMan]

Thankyou! Because frankly the reviews I've read, are confusing and unreliable.. sometimes you might be discouraged a bit, because there are users who have engaged in fraud or something, and they bash the brand..

[MysterMunky]

i have the 2x10 hydrive combo. this thing kills.

[BillyIVbass]

Any specific questions? I've owned the 115 and recently sold it and upgraded to the 4x10 (local shop had a CRAZY deal) Been playing the 4x10 all week really honing in on it.

The biggest difference is the 4x10 is louder and fuller. The 1x15 almost had a bit of a scoop. Loud sub lows and loud highs, but hard to get the mids I wanted. The 4x10 is more even. The reviews are lame. They make the 4x10 sound thin, but I strongly disagree.

[FunkyMan]

Originally Posted by BillyIVbass

Any specific questions?

YES! The main question is, i'm a whole life Hartke user, had a Transporter 4x10 and sold it, now i have a Eden Nemesis Combo that didn't like it, i want to come back to the Hartke Sound, with the Transporter i could get a punchy and clear tone, so this will happen with those new Hydrive 4x10 i guess? My ears just got used to the Hartke voice.. i can't lie to myself

Thanks

[MingusBass]

Great cab! Nice and punchy, clarity in the high end. For the money, it's hard to beat.

[Rob Doane]

Do the 4x10. It will not disappoint. They sound slightly more round and full than the all aluminum drivers (which, in my opinion is a good thing) but you can still dial in a mountain of puch.

[Kwesi]

Awesome cab. The only reason mine is for sale is because it's 8 ohms and I've already got my 4 ohm rig.

[BillyIVbass]

Originally Posted by FunkyMan

YES! The main question is, i'm a whole life Hartke user, had a Transporter 4x10 and sold it, now i have a Eden Nemesis Combo that didn't like it, i want to come back to the Hartke Sound, with the Transporter i could get a punchy and clear tone, so this will happen with those new Hydrive 4x10 i guess? My ears just got used to the Hartke voice.. i can't lie to myself

Thanks

I think you will be pleasantly surprised. My church has a pair of the older cabs as well as the older Hartke cabs are a popular backline rental rig. The Hydrives have a certain hi-fi'ness to them that I miss when playing through the older cabs.

[frankieg]

I think everyone pretty much has it nailed here as far as the sound of the cab. I also sub on some gigs that calls for an old school kinda tone and have no problem getting that either. Love the cabs, have been using them since they came out, they're well built, and not a problem yet. I remember talking to Larry about the cones and how they fused the aluminum and paper. His answer was, "Frankie, if they come apart at that point then I will come to your house with a pizza and 6 pack of Rolling Rock in hand and fix them personally"!!

[FunkyMan]

thanks people, frankly I'm more calm now, these reviews can discourage anyone, i think i can't go wrong with HyDrive

[Sparky Mark]

I traded my early US made 410XL cab for the HX410 because it was the first cab I had tried that I thought was a worthwhile upgrade. The XL was front ported which I preferred because it had a more open bottom end, while the HX is sealed and has a tweeter for a more hifi voice. The HX does go plenty deep however, has removeable castors and is much lighter than the XL for an easier move. I also like the slightly compressed sound that comes from the sealed construction, which seems to reduce boominess. The only thing I really don't like about the HX series is the paper thin tolex which seems to nick and tear as soon as it touches anything. Otherwise, I think this is a brilliant compact, light(er)weight 410 for a great price. It sounds great with my Hartke 3500 and my LM3, but I could never get it to sound right with an LH1000, which lacked in the bass/low mid range IME. What amp are you going to use?

[genstormbringer]

I also had the HX115 and HX112 and the 5210C Hartke gear is great no doubt about it. ALL OF THE HYDRIVE GEAR IS GREAT BAR NONE!!!! I loved he LH1000 but it is too heavy I have to stay w light gear but if there were a "Neo" LH1000 I would own several.

[chi-town_mike]

I had a hydrive 410 for a little while. I dug the tone but it didnt have the low end oomph of other 410's and noticed this at various clubs on the road. The tolex was easily damaged on the road too, this is where I prefer rat fur.

Hartke customer service is top rate. I had 2 speakers go on me during a tour and Larry sent me replacements and they arrived at my next gig. The cab was under warranty at the time.

Cons:
NOT a Low B cabinet.
Tweeter fuse is soldered to the board, making fuse replacement difficult unless you have a soldering iron.
More directional than other 410's, while it does fill the room, other band mates across the stage might not hear you at all.
Speaker wires were cut very short on mine, I like just a little extra slack there.
Speaker tabs...need to be heavier duty- on several occasions the bottom 2 speakers stopped working due to the tabs overheating and coming loose.

PROS:
Overall tone is great, clear and unique.
Very Light for a 410
Punchy, tight
Can get loud and can handle powerful heads
If you're a 4 stringer or not a heavy low B'er..this is a great cabinet

[genstormbringer]

I agree w chi town. I am a 4 banger so I love the cab. the HX115 will handle the low b w no prob so Hydrive on brah. The 410 should handle down to about 35hz but if you are thumping hard you could run into some probs but the cab overall grade is C+ to B for low b guys. It's and A+ for 4 bangers.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by frankieg

I think everyone pretty much has it nailed here as far as the sound of the cab. I also sub on some gigs that calls for an old school kinda tone and have no problem getting that either. Love the cabs, have been using them since they came out, they're well built, and not a problem yet. I remember talking to Larry about the cones and how they fused the aluminum and paper. His answer was, "Frankie, if they come apart at that point then I will come to your house with a pizza and 6 pack of Rolling Rock in hand and fix them personally"!!

lol!

[FunkyMan]

Originally Posted by Sparky Mark

What amp are you going to use?

Carvin BX 1500 Head!

[Sparky Mark]

Originally Posted by FunkyMan

Carvin BX 1500 Head!

I haven't had any experience with that head, but as long as it's not constrained (IMO) by a Fender tone stack, it should work well with the HX410.