Hartke HyDrive HX115 vs Hartke XL115

Chasbo · #1 07-25-2011, 11:59 AM

Question? I am purchasing a Hartke 115 cabinet to pair with my Hartke XL410. My amp is a Hartke HA3500 (350 Watts) The HyDrive is 25 lbs lighter than the XL model and will handle 500 watts. The XL115 handles 200 Watts. There is also a $250 price difference in the two cabinets. Please advise and help with my decision to purchase either the Hydrive or the XL. Will both cabs perform equally. Thanx

Son of Bovril · #2 07-26-2011, 02:48 AM

The Hydrive is the newer cab line from Hartke, it should use a half paper half aluminium cone compared to the full alu cone of the XL. I prefer the sound of the Hydrive but thats my subjective opinion.

JimmyM · #3 07-26-2011, 04:48 AM

Don't mix a 410 with a 115. No good reason for it. The idea that one does what the other doesn't is engineering by looks. I like the Hydrives better, but the XL is a good cab, too, and I'd say add a second 410XL or sell the XL and get two Hydrive 410's.

dbase · #4 07-26-2011, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Don't mix a 410 with a 115. No good reason for it. The idea that one does what the other doesn't is engineering by looks. I like the Hydrives better, but the XL is a good cab, too, and I'd say add a second 410XL or sell the XL and get two Hydrive 410's.

+1 on what Jimmy said.

fingerbun · #5 07-26-2011, 06:20 AM

I'm going to play the contrarian.

In addition to different power handling, the 410XL, 115XL and 115 Hydrive have different frequency responses, and the Hydrive as noted has a different speaker construction that is designed to produce a warmer tone. Therefore there is an argument for mixing and matching to see what sounds good.

Watching this thread with interest as I currently pair a Hartke 210XL with an old EV TL 607 that I have owned forever, and I am toying with upgrading the 606 to get something with a deeper tone and a higher power rating. I find the warmth of the EV and the clarity of the Hartke to be a good combination.

Son of Bovril · #6 07-26-2011, 06:22 AM

+1 to what Jimmy said also. *cough - Hyperdrive*

perogato02 · #7 07-26-2011, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Don't mix a 410 with a 115. No good reason for it. The idea that one does what the other doesn't is engineering by looks. I like the Hydrives better, but the XL is a good cab, too, and I'd say add a second 410XL or sell the XL and get two Hydrive 410's.

+ 1 ... although budgetwise I would say: buy another 410XL (and if you can find one used it is going to be even cheaper

)

I use 2 410XL's with my Orange and can't find any good reason to change cabs (except for pure GAS ...)

dbase · #8 07-26-2011, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingerbun

I'm going to play the contrarian.

In addition to different power handling, the 410XL, 115XL and 115 Hydrive have different frequency responses, and the Hydrive as noted has a different speaker construction that is designed to produce a warmer tone. Therefore there is an argument for mixing and matching to see what sounds good.

Watching this thread with interest as I currently pair a Hartke 210XL with an old EV TL 607 that I have owned forever, and I am toying with upgrading the 606 to get something with a deeper tone and a higher power rating. I find the warmth of the EV and the clarity of the Hartke to be a good combination.

I had a Hartke 2x10xl and a 1x15 and it sounded sweet on an open E, now I have two 2x10's, I miss that deep 15 but not lugging it around.

JimmyM · #9 07-26-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fingerbun

I'm going to play the contrarian.

In addition to different power handling, the 410XL, 115XL and 115 Hydrive have different frequency responses, and the Hydrive as noted has a different speaker construction that is designed to produce a warmer tone. Therefore there is an argument for mixing and matching to see what sounds good.

OK, I could buy that mixing COULD sound good, but it often doesn't. I've had Hartke XL 410/115 rigs supplied on gigs before, and and I always end up unplugging the 115. The problem is that the results are unpredictable when you mix cabs while matching cabs always sound good and work in phase. So if anyone has their heart set on mixing, it's definitely try before you buy.

fingerbun · #10 07-26-2011, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

OK, I could buy that mixing COULD sound good, but it often doesn't. I've had Hartke XL 410/115 rigs supplied on gigs before, and and I always end up unplugging the 115. The problem is that the results are unpredictable when you mix cabs while matching cabs always sound good and work in phase. So if anyone has their heart set on mixing, it's definitely try before you buy.

Agree. Made my post before you said toys actually tried them.

fingerbun · #11 07-26-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbase

I had a Hartke 2x10xl and a 1x15 and it sounded sweet on an open E, now I have two 2x10's, I miss that deep 15 but not lugging it around.

Same when I use just the Hartke box but I assume it's the box.

The EV is not an especially low tone either...

Sparky Mark · #12 07-26-2011, 04:38 PM

I've owned a 3500 + 410XL + 115XL which I upgraded to a LH1000 + HX410 + HX115.
HX115 was a poor match with the HX410 IME as the 15 was much quieter and not as deep as the 410.

I do miss my 410XL and two of them with the 3500 would be a great set up, albeit the cabs are heavy (one of the main reasons I swapped to HX). I did loads of gigs with the 115XL on its own as it was an easier schlepp and sounded sweet. I thought it sounded okay used with the 410, but another 410 would've been immense.

If you are okay with the extra weight, save a load of money and get a used 410XL, this ported cab sounds just as good (but different) as the sealed HX IMO.

countrybassist · #13 07-27-2011, 08:28 AM

Dude don't put a 410 with a 115. IMO the HX sounds very good.

Rebmo · #14 07-27-2011, 12:01 PM

I run a HX410 with a HX115 with a GK 700RBII and love it. Keep in mind the Hydrives take some power to push. I replaced a 410XL bottom with the HX410 (lighter) and I like the cleaner tone. But I am really pushing the headroom limits of the 700RBII now, where the 700 was way enough power for the XL410 and HX115. Also tried a XL115 and if farted out a bit too easy for me. I really drive the low end and like it pretty clean. My G&L L-1000 is a low end monster and can really dish it out to the level of destruction on lesser setups so that's part of my amp/bottom formula.

I'm actually considering trying a 1001RBII for some extra headroom I lost when I went with both HyDrive bottoms. As far as mixing goes, I like the 115 down below the 410. It seems to work for Vic Wooten too (hehe) But you really have to judge for yourself. I'm no Vic, and play a whole different style, and was not influenced by Vic's setup, although he's a fine bass player with awsome talent and sound. The HX 115/410 bottoms work great for me. Unfortunately it's hard to try in a mix without buying. Hard to really judge these bottoms if not in a band mix. The really cut through clean and clear and deliver the punch.

That's my 2 cents and it may not even be worth that much,

Reb