ITT - Dead Horse beating - SVT-810e or SVT-610HLF

pablomigraine · #1 07-20-2011, 12:28 PM

For those of you who are overcome by the compulsive urge to reply to this thread without reading it with - "DO A SEARCH" - please... control yourself....

Anywhoo..... I find myself at this same impasse again. I will be mating this to my tasty new SVT-7pro (the best hybrid head this company has come out with in a long, long time.)

Herein lies the difficulty - I have to treat these both as essentially NEW cabinets... what I mean is... these cabinets now being manufactured by LOUD technologies are very different in terms of tone and quality than thier SLM predecessors... some years being worse than others. About a year ago, I bought a new LOUD SVT-810e, and it was by far the best sounding SVT810 I'd heard in a long time, at least as good as the mid-80's one I used to use years ago. Way more upper midrange and treble extension. I also had the opportunity to briefly try out a new LOUD SVT-610HLF.. but only very briefly and at low volumes. I was honestly pretty impressed... the extremely boomy, "artificial" sounding low end the HLF series was cursed with was all but completely absent, midrange was clear and focused, treble was as good as one could expect.

From my limited experience, it would seem both of these cabs would produce about the same level of *perceived volume given the same power... being that ported cabs generally produce higher SPL than sealed cabs... can anyone here with practical experience with both confirm this? Generally I like to give sealed cabs a ton of power... I was using a 1000w power amp with my previous SVT810, and although the rating on the SVT-7pro is the same, it doesnt feel like its really as strong as the power amp was.... I'm concerned that the SVT-7pro wont be able to push the 810 hard enough to really make it sing.... anyone have any opinions on this?

Any experience with both cabs from the new LOUD era?

JimmyM · #2 07-20-2011, 01:29 PM

The 7 Pro will EASILY push an 810e enough to make it sing. The 610HLF doesn't go as low as the 410HLF, so I'd say your experience with it was about as it should be. The 610HLF sounds more in line with most ported cabs rather than what the 410HLF does. I can't tell you which will get louder with the same amount of power as I'm really out of that game and have been for a long time, but I honestly can't see you running out of juice with either.

**cheezewiz** · #3 07-20-2011, 02:07 PM

I tried both side by side in a GC not long ago....so keep in mind it wasn't a really critical listening test. Both really sounded great. I was very surprised by how good the 610 sounded, since it seems to get very mixed reviews. I ended up buying a 610 in fact. I got the six because it fit in my car, and is lighter, but I don't feel like I gave anything up. Both really great cabs.

pablomigraine · #4 07-22-2011, 08:00 PM

Thanks for the input guys.... anyone else?

Bump!

Venom of God · #5 07-22-2011, 08:04 PM

I have no experience with the 610, but I used an 810 at a gig not long ago with my SVT3 and it pushed it no problem at all, so I see no reason why your 7 wouldn't either.

georgestrings · #6 07-22-2011, 08:14 PM

Given those choices, I'd take the 810e - IME, the SVT-610HLF is literally the worst 610 on the market... Mesa, SWR, and Berg all make a far superior 610... I had one for over a month, and couldn't wait to give it back - I've also played several others that were all the same...

- georgestrings

pablomigraine · #7 07-23-2011, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Given those choices, I'd take the 810e - IME, the SVT-610HLF is literally the worst 610 on the market... Mesa, SWR, and Berg all make a far superior 610... I had one for over a month, and couldn't wait to give it back - I've also played several others that were all the same...

- georgestrings

Are you sure the ones you've tried were the new LOUD era ones? The only reason I question is, I had the NV610 for many years and has always been my benchmark... I thought the mesa 610 was TERRIBLE and the SWR was even worse.....(allowing for differences inherent in ported vs sealed) I thought the new 610HLF was actually pretty good.... the horrible artificial "woof-flub" at the very low end was gone, midrange was actually really good... and treble was as good as could be expected with a middle-of-the-road tweeter and 12db/octave passive x-over....

However I am considering the SVT 810e.... its just considerably more difficult to haul.....

Ric5 · #8 07-23-2011, 08:27 AM

6x10 cabs seem to sound better to me than 8x10 cabs.

georgestrings · #9 07-23-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablomigraine

Are you sure the ones you've tried were the new LOUD era ones? The only reason I question is, I had the NV610 for many years and has always been my benchmark... I thought the mesa 610 was TERRIBLE and the SWR was even worse.....(allowing for differences inherent in ported vs sealed) I thought the new 610HLF was actually pretty good.... the horrible artificial "woof-flub" at the very low end was gone, midrange was actually really good... and treble was as good as could be expected with a middle-of-the-road tweeter and 12db/octave passive x-over....

However I am considering the SVT 810e.... its just considerably more difficult to haul.....

Honestly, I couldn't tell you what "era" any of them were from - and frankly, I think that having to avoid products from any "era" doesn't speak well for any manufacturer...

The SVT-610HLF I had was fairly new, US made, and it was probably about 4 years ago, IIRC - I'm unable to recall any specifics about any of the other SVT-610HLF cabs I've played, other than none of them have ever impressed me...

As I've said before, I had the use of a 'like new" US Ampeg 610 for about a month, while my Mesa PH610 was being repaired under warranty... I actually considered making a trade when my Mesa came back, because the Ampeg was lighter, and taller - definitely easier to move than the Mesa - but it just couldn't hang performance-wise with the Mesa, nor the Goliath Sr in my rehearsal space at the time...

For the record, I'm a fan of the 810e, and have gigged lots of them, plenty of times over the years... I'm also a fan of the SVT-410HLF, and have owned both a US one and a "Nampeg", and both were good cabs - I'll probably buy another in the future, actually - because I prefer it over the PH410, even though I'm a Mesa fan...

For me, it's all about performance - I couldn't care less about the brand, if a piece of gear works well for me... For example: I'm *probably* going to buy an all-tube bass amp this year sometime - and like both the Mesa 400+ and the Ampeg SVT - I'll grab whichever comes up 1st in the best condition for the best deal, whenever the time comes... I know from experience that either of those amps will get the job done for me, even though they're different from one another...

- georgestrings

**cheezewiz** · #10 07-23-2011, 09:20 AM

It certainly may be an "era" thing. The ONLY 610 I have owned or used that was superior to my 610hlf was a Bergantino NV 610. It's by far better than the SWR and at least equal to the Mesa at a much lower cost.

georgestrings · #11 07-23-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

It certainly may be an "era" thing. The ONLY 610 I have owned or used that was superior to my 610hlf was a Bergantino NV 610. It's by far better than the SWR and at least equal to the Mesa at a much lower cost.

To each their own, I suppose - I don't see it that way... I've probably played half a dozen different SVT-610HLF cabs, and wouldn't make the above statement based on any of those...

- georgestrings

Mojo-Man · #12 07-23-2011, 10:41 AM

I used the SV610HLF for years.
I prefer it to the 810, It's lighter, and smaller.
But if you going to get a 610, get the Bergantino.
It's that much better.

Lync · #13 07-23-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

I tried both side by side in a GC not long ago....so keep in mind it wasn't a really critical listening test. Both really sounded great. I was very surprised by how good the 610 sounded, since it seems to get very mixed reviews. I ended up buying a 610 in fact. I got the six because it fit in my car, and is lighter, but I don't feel like I gave anything up. Both really great cabs.

That is why I bought mine a few years back. Didn't go in looking for it, but is sounded better than the other cab I went to buy (410HLF).

I don't use it much these days as I go through the PA, and I really just need some monitoring (so usually a combo is all I need). But, I can use the 610 and out power our PA if need be, and the bass is clear at the back of the room.

Lync · #14 07-23-2011, 02:49 PM

One more thing to add...I find the 610 to be kind of picky with amps. With some it sounds great, with others, I find myself tweaking the tone all gig. The cab really has some nice low mids, but I imagine amps that put out low lows may muddy it up as even with porting it is not made to go very low.

Buster Brown · #15 07-23-2011, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lync

One more thing to add...I find the 610 to be kind of picky with amps. With some it sounds great, with others, I find myself tweaking the tone all gig. The cab really has some nice low mids, but I imagine amps that put out low lows may muddy it up as even with porting it is not made to go very low.

I couldn't agree more!

I own both the 6X10 and the 8X10 and, while my personal "preference" is the 8X10, I use the 6X10 for a lot of shows.

I have found that I have to do a little more tweaking with the 6X10 than the 8X10 (for the room) when I use the SVT4Pro. On the othe hand, when I use the HSVT-CL it seems to be more plug-n-play.....

lowendgenerator · #16 07-23-2011, 03:26 PM

My personal preference is for sealed cabs, especially when we're talking about 6 or more speakers. More focused punch IMO. I chose 810E cabs for that reason.

greggster59 · #17 07-23-2011, 03:32 PM

I gigged my 7PRO and 601HLF last weekend outdoors and allowed two other bassists to use it. It sounded very sweet. A lot presence and power for the very large backyard. I had the direct tube out to the PA but the soundman said he didn't even need to run it through the house. One of the other bassists who used it said his MIM Jazz never sounded so good.

pablomigraine · #18 07-23-2011, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buster Brown

I couldn't agree more!

I own both the 6X10 and the 8X10 and, while my personal "preference" is the 8X10, I use the 6X10 for a lot of shows.

I have found that I have to do a little more tweaking with the 6X10 than the 8X10 (for the room) when I use the SVT4Pro. On the othe hand, when I use the HSVT-CL it seems to be more plug-n-play.....

Thanks for your input.... can you comment on the *percieved or *apparent volume differences between the two give the same amp?

Buster Brown · #19 07-23-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pablomigraine

Thanks for your input.... can you comment on the *percieved or *apparent volume differences between the two give the same amp?

I can surely try....

I think that it is just that...perceived. When I am running the 4Pro into each cab - the master and the gain are (more or less) in the same place. The 6X10 still sounds a tad deeper (but you would expect that) but overall, I can hear little to no difference but again, that's me and I'm a worn out old man

joeydavidson · #20 07-23-2011, 05:58 PM

I had a sealed 8x10 with eminence speakers comparable to the Ampeg 810e and tonally it and my old 610hlf sounded very similar, the 8x10 wasn't quite as deep and of course the 8x10 had a different feel with it's sealed design. JUst to echo what Lync said the 610hlf can be picky with amps - it sounded good with any Ampeg head I used with it though; I tested a SVT IIpro and a B4r with it but it was not so good sounding with my GK1001rbII. Overall it was a decent cab, I sold it to downsize and while I liked it I would rather get a 2x15 if I ever got another cab of that size, just due to personal preference.