8x10 for Rock/Metal

[musicmansf]

View attachment 5073262

It's beautiful. Scared weights scale not included.

 

[musicmansf]

I've used Mesa Powerhouse (technically it was two 410s) and currently use an Ampeg 810e.

The Mesa is more aggressive in the mids, more sledgehammer, more articulate. Has more low end extension, but can also get muddy if you're not careful with it. The pitch of the fret clank gives it a very Tool vibe.

The Ampeg is more of a bass pillow (only way I know to describe it). It doesn't hit as hard and just kinda fills everywhere with bass. Sits in the mix really well, and the pitch of the fret clank pops through the mix in a place that sounds familiar. It rolls off more low end, but it plays better with FOH since it's not fighting with the subs as much.

Neither is better, although they're both the best at their particular flavour.

+1 to all of this. Having used the classic 410HLF and then the Mesa Powerhouse speakers, it was like the difference between the Wright Brothers plane and the Saturn V (but I wanted the fret clank).

For the OP: depends on if you want zingy presence or more of the sealed thump. You also can't get the Mesa 8x10 new anymore.

Thank you? lol. I don't really get all these small cab users these days if that is what you mean? Too many youtubers and social media musicians seem all too particular.

I wouldn't discount them out of hand. A fridge feels god-like to play in front of, but the smaller modern enclosures have *a lot* of engineering behind them. All comes down to convenience vs. preference.

 

[Erik Stokley]

Ampeg fridge is the standard for a reason, really can't go wrong either one but I hear the heritage is the way to go. I'd also add that this Atlas 810 I'm using sounds incredible. Currently playing either a fender bassman 300 or a darkglass m900, and it throws so much air, stays real tight and has a ton of low-end. Never buckles or farts out, and I tune low and use a lot of distortion/fuzz.

 

[Bassi5t]

Mesa Powerhouse would be my vote… either the 810, 610, or my fave the 412

 

[paskisti]

I would find 610 ported with tweeter, or 410 + 210 with 4 + 8 ohms if your amp supports 2/2,67 ohms load. Closed 810 is nice too but difficult to get rid of the "Ampeg" sound if you get annoyed over time. Ported cabs with tweeter and HPF have usually more options and 610 because it is bit smaller and probably lighter, and still loud enough for any standalone and monitoring applications.

Those of you who feel Ampeg 810 sounds heavenly, please do not kill me. In a way it is good and works always in a mix, but it is not very versatile and doesn't work for some modern styles.

Edit: OP, note that 810E and 410HLF/610HLF are very different animals. Closed vs ported. Which you prefer?

 

[Bassdoggydogg]

In the market for an 8x10 and cannot decide between the SVT-810E, Heritage SVT-810E or Orange 8x10?

I've also considered the Ampeg PN-410HLF PRO NEO Bass Cabinet (850 Watts, 4x10") as well. Maybe a 4x10 would be better but wanted the sound to be more ear level.

Call me crazy but you actually might want to check out the rumble 410 if you're going to go the 410 route. I had one and it was excellent (ran a rumble 800 head and sansamp through it). Light for a 410, but sadly it was still a hair too heavy for my back. I've seen other people play bassman heads through them and they sounded just as good as high end cabinets.

 

[baxter_x]

The Fender 810 neo is a fantastic 810. And also very lightweight.

 

[trebbihm]

I'll cast my vote for the Fender 810. More high end than the Ampeg, lighter, and it's ported. Slightly more modern sounding if you want that harder metal edge.

 

[Rojd]

Ashdown makes a great 610

 

[ELG60]

The late, great Michael Rhodes played through a pair of Ashdown heads and 810's when I saw him with Joe Bonamassa several years ago. He sounded superb.

There are a couple of Ampeg 810's for sale in the local Craigslist classifieds in varied condition. A mint one with cover for $950, and a ragged one for $400.

That being said, it's not a form factor I'm really interested in currently, although I have a pair of Schrœder 410s I could bring out if need arose.

I'm considering getting a 3rd Barefaced Two10S for a 610 stack which can run at 4 Ohms. It might be a lighter, versatile, and more mobile option.

A classic fridge is certainly a visual and aural manifestation of sonic dominance, but logistics are a consideration.

 

[6thplanet]

8x10 Club

 

[MotorCityMinion]

Perhaps 8x10 with 12 x 3. That will show em' !

 

[Curtbass]

My Ampeg 610 is the cab I miss most. It moves easy and is just short enough to fit comfortably in places an 810 doesn't. The 410hlf is a good sounding cab but to me is harder to move than the 810.

 

[johniecid]

I will second looking at 6x10s. Having had both the Ampeg 610HLF and the Fender Neo 610, I prefer them over both 810s and 410s. I would suggest trying them before locking into anything.
(Have played punk, hardcore, metal... and some pop and church stuff through both and able to adjust tones to fit each setting)

 

[Marko 1]

8x10 Club

Oh my... that's awesome,

and another excuse to post my stack.

 

[Lobster11]

Maybe a 4x10 would be better but wanted the sound to be more ear level.

If four 10s is really all you need, you might consider a pair of 2x10s. Stacked on end they have about the same height as a fridge, and thus the advantage of getting some speakers up closer to your ears so you can hear yourself in the mix. I've been using two such setups for years and it's a much better option than a 4x10 box.

 

[39-Bassist]

I used to use an SWR Megalioth...LOVED that thing. Some of the best tones I ever had. But I used to run the cab split due to the Carvin BX 1500 head with dual power amps and crossover.
I liked it's tone because of the actual split top and bottom. (Or if I wanted to use it as a full range 8x10 I could do that too. (Wish I hadn't gotten rid of that cab too.)
Just my 1-1/2 cents.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

View attachment 5073262

Yup' er!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

If four 10s is really all you need, you might consider a pair of 2x10s. Stacked on end they have about the same height as a fridge, and thus the advantage of getting some speakers up closer to your ears so you can hear yourself in the mix. I've been using two such setups for years and it's a much better option than a 4x10 box.

And a heck of a lot easier to transport. Side bonus, you may have situations where you only need one cab.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

In the market for an 8x10 and cannot decide between the SVT-810E, Heritage SVT-810E or Orange 8x10?

I've also considered the Ampeg PN-410HLF PRO NEO Bass Cabinet (850 Watts, 4x10") as well. Maybe a 4x10 would be better but wanted the sound to be more ear level.

Heritage