HartkeHydrive 5410C or VX3500 4x10"?

ajota_di · #1 03-24-2010, 07:41 PM

I thought I was set... I was going to get the 5410C... and then, I check Sam Ash, and boom, another similar, cheaper Hartke. Darn options....

So tell me, because I think I might need something like 400watts, should I go with the 5410C or the VX3500? What are your opinions on either one? I really love the idea of 500 watts, but the price tag is a bit more than I had hoped. In the same tone, I like the 10 band eq... more flexibility=great. But solid paper cones? I'm no expert on speakers, but would those hold up through gigs and all?

I'm not sure. If you could post your opinions, that'd be fantastic!
Thanks,
-AJ

ajota_di · #2 03-24-2010, 07:43 PM

Here are some links to the specs for each amp, respectively.

5410C
# Delivers 500 watts to its internal 4 ohm speaker system
# Four 10-inch HyDrive neodymium hybrid cone drivers
# 1-inch titanium high frequency compression driver
# Sealed enclosure
# 3/4-inch plywood construction
# Classic 12AX7 tube high-voltage preamp circuit
# Bass and treble shelving plus mid peak EQ controls
# Built-in limiter
# Two independent inputs to accommodate passive and active bass guitars
# Effect loop send and return jacks to connect to outboard effects processors
# Perforated metal speaker grill
# Recessed metal handles
# Metal corners
# Durable black vinyl covering

VX3500
* 3500 amplifier section with 350 Watts of classic Hartke power
* Amp section features tube and solid state preamps.
* Bass, Treble and Contour controls.
* 10-band Graphic EQ.
* Variable Compression.
* Cabinet features four 10" tradiional paper cone drivers and a high frequency compression driver.
* Solid braced cabinet construction, recessed side handles, and heavy duty casters.

JimmyM · #3 03-24-2010, 10:46 PM

hydrive blows away previous hartke cabs. no way i'd get anything hartke except a hydrive.

gatorben24 · #4 03-25-2010, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

hydrive blows away previous hartke cabs. no way i'd get anything hartke except a hydrive.

Very true. Those Vx's are nice but the hydrives spank it. Their a little brighter but you should be able to get the tone you want

spywebco · #5 03-25-2010, 05:59 AM

Have been playing through a VX3500 for the last 6 or 7 years. It does every thing I want and then some. I am starting to look into replacement options as I need just a bit more watts than 350. The combo is super convenient, but VERY heavy. It has become enough of an issue that I've really thought about going to separate head & cabs. I love the 3500, but the 5410 really has more for the $$ Paper cones are fine with the VX though.

ajota_di · #6 03-25-2010, 02:53 PM

Awesome, thanks guys. What are your opinions regarding the head... that is, the 3500 head or the LH500? Which have you had a better time with?

Billy Low · #7 03-25-2010, 03:04 PM

The HyDrive cabs are a totally different beast than previous offerings from Hartke. Much more round and balanced tone IMHO. The 3500 head is a nice head, but it does lack headroom.

RTL · #8 03-25-2010, 03:24 PM

I agree with Jimmy. The HyDrive stuff is actually worth a crap.

As far as heads are concerned, I personally think that the 3500 is one of the worst sounding heads on the market. However, the LH500 is quite good - and cheap!

JimmyM · #9 03-25-2010, 11:49 PM

ya, lh500. i wouldn't call the 3500 crap but the lh500 and 1000 are better.

queevil · #10 03-26-2010, 04:03 AM

Please don't buy a cab with aluminum coned speakers under the premise that they are more durable than speakers made with paper or other materials. I've had experience with them and none of it was good. I went through 4 10's, a 15 and another 15 in a combo like a baby goes through diapers and I never, ever had my volume up more than halfway so I know I wasn't driving them that hard. No joke. I replaced them all with paper coned speakers and never had an issue. I've looked at the new HyDrive stuff but have never used it. If someone says that it's good then I believe them and I hope that they are right because those old aluminum speakers are a design that needed to be improved on. It's a personal preference but I never thought they sounded that great either.

ajota_di · #11 03-26-2010, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by queevil

Please don't buy a cab with aluminum coned speakers under the premise that they are more durable than speakers made with paper or other materials. I've had experience with them and none of it was good. I went through 4 10's, a 15 and another 15 in a combo like a baby goes through diapers and I never, ever had my volume up more than halfway so I know I wasn't driving them that hard. No joke. I replaced them all with paper coned speakers and never had an issue. I've looked at the new HyDrive stuff but have never used it. If someone says that it's good then I believe them and I hope that they are right because those old aluminum speakers are a design that needed to be improved on. It's a personal preference but I never thought they sounded that great either.

That wasn't my reasoning behind the aluminum cabs... I just have heard that people "claim" paper is a lot less durable. I have heard that paper cabs sound better, but I have no idea. I have very little experience with playing on amps that DON'T sound like crap :P. I've heard that the hydrive are nice and powerful too... another reason to look into them!

JimmyM · #12 03-26-2010, 10:23 PM

i know hartke claims they hold up better, but they really don't. but i don't think they hold up any worse, either. i'll take paper any day over the aluminum cones, even hydrives, but if you have to get aluminum speakers, hydrives are the only ones to get out of all of them imho.

Billy Low · #13 04-19-2010, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

i know hartke claims they hold up better, but they really don't. but i don't think they hold up any worse, either. i'll take paper any day over the aluminum cones, even hydrives, but if you have to get aluminum speakers, hydrives are the only ones to get out of all of them imho.

The driver is only as good as its sum parts. If the surround is dry rotted, what good does it do you to have an aluminum cone?

sonic assassin · #14 04-19-2010, 12:57 AM

ive played both a lot, and have come to the conclusion that the LH and hydrive series DESTROYS the VX anything.

i had the 3500 4x10 combo for a few years, and i was always struggling with it. i always had volume, but it lacked life. those things are predisposed to scoop. the cab wasnt very well made. a lot of rattling around going on. that compressor is worthless. its heavy, and the tone just isnt worth that weight.

the lh500 was a breath of fresh air. should i need an amp in the future, thats what im going for. and the hydrive cabs are sounding pretty good. even the regular aluminum cone cabs should do. their regular paper cabs are just lifeless and terrible.

i played 3 years worth of gigs on the VX rig.. was never in love. i used my neighbor's hartke kickback 15 (aluminum cone) one night in a medium sized club with an EQ pedal and fell in love.

JoZac21 · #15 04-19-2010, 01:31 AM

Call Larry Hartke, I'm sure he'd be able to answer your question better than anyone else (I would assume)...

His phone # can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartke#History

He actually carries the phone everywhere he goes and checks and responds to every call himself... I've seen the phone myself.

P.S. - I do not work for, or am in anyway affiliated w. Hartke amps. Larry Hartke hangs out a lot at the Sam Ash in Times Square. Cool dude.

JimmyM · #16 04-19-2010, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billy Low

The driver is only as good as its sum parts. If the surround is dry rotted, what good does it do you to have an aluminum cone?

how often does that happen? i've yet to have a paper surround dry rot on me. you really have to take crap care of your stuff for that to happen.

suraj · #17 04-19-2010, 07:40 AM

The Hydrives do sound fantastic, but if you play in a really really loud band, then i doubt it will keep up in the lows..thats why i sold my hydrive 410.. I believe the VX 410 is ported, will definately be louder.

Worldeeeter · #18 04-19-2010, 07:51 AM

I was looking at the photos of the Hydrive 5410C, and it really doesn't look like the cabinet is ported!
I would NEVER buy a bass amp that doesn't have a ported cabinet. Even my Kickback 12 was ported...
I agree with the LH500 head idea. That way, if you want to start with a smaller cab, i.e. an HX112, for economic reasons, you can always add another one later for a nice 2 x 12" config. for gigging. I'll take 500W through 2 x 12" over a 410 anyday.

suraj · #19 04-19-2010, 08:41 AM

Dont get me wrong, the hydrive sounds great if you don't play really loud. While it was loud enough for one of my alternative punkish band, it didn't even get close to cutting it in my psychadelic rock band. Did i mention its sounds really good too.. very very tight in the low end. But i never considered a second of the same cab, i prefer one small (4x10 or 2x12 or 115) to do the job for me.
Im having really high expectations from the GB Uber 212 arriving soon.

JimmyM · #20 04-19-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worldeeeter

I was looking at the photos of the Hydrive 5410C, and it really doesn't look like the cabinet is ported!
I would NEVER buy a bass amp that doesn't have a ported cabinet. Even my Kickback 12 was ported...

trust me, it doesn't need porting. it's got a pretty doggone big low end.