Ampeg PF-500, pf-115HE vs 410

[JimmyM]

210av stack is pretty stable, though I wouldn't do it on a stage with a lot of slam dancing going on. Each stack has its own advantages...

210av's:

---Better dispersion of upper mids and highs
---810e/410he-like rolled off low end
---Very light weight

PF210he's:

---Bigger cabs with bigger low end
---Higher power handling
---Sounds very B-15-like
---Great sounding tweeter if you like that sort of thing

 

[Mannishboy]

From the Ampeg Website:
Frequency response: 44 Hz – 17 kHz (PF-115HE)
Frequency response: 37 Hz – 17 kHz (PF-210HE)
Ultimately, let your ears be your guide. Bigger speakers don't always mean bigger BOOM!

 

[fuadramsey]

210av stack is pretty stable, though I wouldn't do it on a stage with a lot of slam dancing going on. Each stack has its own advantages...

210av's:

---Better dispersion of upper mids and highs
---810e/410he-like rolled off low end
---Very light weight

PF210he's:

---Bigger cabs with bigger low end
---Higher power handling
---Sounds very B-15-like
---Great sounding tweeter if you like that sort of thing

I know this thread is old but . . .

How would two SVT210AV's stacked vertically compare to one PF115HE, and then to two PF115he's?

I just blew a speaker in one of my SVT210's and don't want it to happen again so I'm considering changing my mini rig. I started using my 810 and I forgot how much I liked the lower mid bass it has that the SVT210's is lacking. Also I love the low weight and super portability of the SVT210's. I have not seen a PF115HE in person yet. And wondered if I'd loose the portability of the SVT210s.

Would having two PF115he's be much different than an 810 as far as portability?

 

[JimmyM]

My comparo that you quoted tells you about the performance of each cab/stack compared to each other. Compared to an 810e, the PF115he's go lower but have just as strong a midbass IMHO. And they're easier to move and lift individually. That said, my favorite cab of all time is the 810e.

 

[P Town]

If you are blowing speakers, you may play loud enough to cause a single PF-115HE to fart out. You may want to look at the PF-410HLF for greater power handling.

The rated range of the PF-410HLF is 55Hz to 17kHz, @ 800W, and the PF-115HE is 50Hz to 17kHz @ 450W.

The PF-410HLF is pretty close on the low end frequency, with a little more power handling capability than the PF-115HE.

The ported 410HLF has side handles, and no flip top.

I bought a used PF-115LF, (400W, down to 57Hz) from a local shop (for only $220!), but I don't crank it up enough to give it a realistic gigging volume level review. It does sound good for how I use it though.

 

[JimmyM]

Those frequency ranges for the PF cabs are for the -3db point and are somewhat misleading. The vast majority of cabs are rated using the -10db point, or lowest usable frequency, and both those cabs are well lower than that. The PF115he's -10db point is 35hz, the PF410hlf's is 30hz, the PF115lf's is 32hz. They sound like it, too.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Those frequency ranges for the PF cabs are for the -3db point and are somewhat misleading. The vast majority of cabs are rated using the -10db point, or lowest usable frequency, and both those cabs are well lower than that. The PF115he's -10db point is 35hz, the PF410hlf's is 30hz, the PF115lf's is 32hz. They sound like it, too.

+1 to all of this.

 

[fuadramsey]

My comparo that you quoted tells you about the performance of each cab/stack compared to each other. Compared to an 810e, the PF115he's go lower but have just as strong a midbass IMHO. And they're easier to move and lift individually. That said, my favorite cab of all time is the 810e.

The quote shows a PF210. The PF115 sounds interesting though. They look super cool. I'll have to go try one out.

And I doubt that I would blow one of these. I dont use much power and dont play that loud but could use a little more volume/low mid bass than my two 210s.

 

[JimmyM]

Same difference except the PF115he goes a little lower

 

[fuadramsey]

The quote shows a PF210. The PF115 sounds interesting though. They look super cool. I'll have to go try one out.

And I doubt that I would blow one of these. I dont use much power and dont play that loud but could use a little more volume/low mid bass than my two 210s.

Okay I've had my 2 PF115HE's for about 1/2 a year now and think I got it down. I love the sound.

At first I thought they were too bass heavy and low. I'll admit I did miss the extra lows since I've been playing through the punchy 810 fridge. But after a while I just backed down the bass and the speakers started sounding better to me. I think also because I've been driving the gain harder to get more breakup, my sound has been getting better. I've been using the PF350 with two of these cabs and it's plenty loud for just about every situation. But lately I've been trying out the cabs with my SVT3 Pro and holy cow it sounds even better. This weekend I had a gig in a hanger at the local fair so I cranked up the amp and man those cabs sound sweet. Plenty loud with the amp for sure. -at least for me and my band is loud.

 

[fuadramsey]

Finally got around to taking a photo of my current rig . . .

 

[bftbassman]

Why would they need to be 8 ohms? Im a rookie on omhs and watts I know generally the more watts the loud, usually? But correct me if I'm wrong. Also, I currently have a acoustic B100 which is 100W at 4 omhs. So could I hook the pf-500 with its 115He and then link the HE to my 100W combo and use it as a cab as well or what?

no,use line out of pf500 into your acoustic and use its power

 

[sleepyEDB]

Finally got around to taking a photo of my current rig

*swoon*


sleepy

 

[Peter Schofield]

Read one helluva lot of posts re the pf-500 and which cabs to use etc. Thanks everyone for your views on all the threads - although I've got to say I found some of the conflicting ones so confusing I contacted Ampeg for their view on whether, as some have stated, mixing the pf-115he with a pf-410hlf will cause phasing problems, draw too much and blow up the 115 speaker etc etc?

I'm seeing retailers advertising stacks that, according to some, would be less than ideal, hence wanted to hear it from the company itself.

Whilst I'm waiting for their reply I thought I'd mention that I went out and bought another pf-115e today and ran my pf500 through one then both to A/B test it to see if it really would give me the volume boost I was after for when I'm not going through the PA?

All I can say is 'WOW!' What a difference - like night and day! In fact it was so much louder that it made me jump out of my skin when first connecting the additional speaker and catching a string by accident!

Yes, there was a strange hissing noise until I switch one of the tweeters off - maybe that was the phasing thing a few people mentioned on the various threads?

I'm also buying the pf-410hlf at the weekend so will wait and see which suits me best then sell one of them on, but for all those who are in that same stage as me up until today wondering whether there would be much difference in performance adding an additional cab, I'd say absolutely yes.

 

[High Camp]

I would say either two PF115HE (and/or PF210HE) cabs or one PF410HLF, volume wise.
You wouldn't really hear the PF115HE in combination with a PF410HLF.
But hey, enjoy the test ride!

 

[Peter Schofield]

I would say either two PF115HE (and/or PF210HE) cabs or one PF410HLF, volume wise.
You wouldn't really hear the PF115HE in combination with a PF410HLF.
But hey, enjoy the test ride!

Indeed. I was reckoning that's where I'd end up. I ebay'd my svt classic head and svt410hlf the other week. Got next to nothing for them and regretted it instantly, so here I am trying to boost my volume again without the heavy lifting. Having previously bought what is often referred one of the best Ampeg rigs ( unless you want to lug an 8x10 around ) I've got to say that this PF range stuff stands up pretty well by comparison imho.