Ampeg PF800 with PF-210HE

[johnsonabq]

So, has anyone paired the Ampeg PF800 head with the PF-210HE cab, and if so how did it work?

 

[JimmyM]

I did once at the store. Don't expect to be able to turn it up to 11, but it sounds really good. I like the PF800 a little better than the 500 and think it's worth going that route, even if you can't use that much power into it. The headroom gives it a little more oomph. As long as you can control your itchy volume finger, you should be fine.

 

[drummer5359]

I work with a bassist who bought a PF800/PF210HE rig a couple of months ago, he plays an American Standard Precision V with flats through it. Seriously, it sounds great. He is talking about adding a second PF210HE. He doesn't "need" a second one, but a certain drummer/bassist has been a bad influence on him.

 

[johnsonabq]

My thought is that I could use the 800/210 combo for most of the gigs I have with a certain band. But when we play outdoors or some place very large, I could add a PF-115LF. That would bring out all the head has to offer. I feel the same way with having the extra headroom.

I play in a Pink Floyd tribute band and use a Spector CodaP, (their version of a Precision bass) and I think this would be the perfect rig.

 

[High Camp]

IMO, you're good to go!
I have a PF800 with a PF210HE and a PF115HE cab.
Personally, with one cab, I would pick a 115 cab (because they go a little bit more low), especially with Pink Floyd music.
With two cabs, IME, any Portaflex combination of the PF115HE, PF115LF and the PF210HE will do fine, matched or mixed.
YMMV.

 

[cfsporn]

IMO, you're good to go!
I have a PF800 with a PF210HE and a PF115HE cab.
Personally, with one cab, I would pick a 115 cab (because they go a little bit more low), especially with Pink Floyd music.
With two cabs, IME, any Portaflex combination of the PF115HE, PF115LF and the PF210HE will do fine, matched or mixed.
YMMV.

Of the three of those, the PF115LF starts rolling off first, then the PF210HE, then the PF115HE.

For the best results, I would do a vertical stack of two PF210HEs.

 

[johnsonabq]

Of the three of those, the PF115LF starts rolling off first, then the PF210HE, then the PF115HE.

I find it interesting that the ported 15 would start rolling off first, and the sealed 210 would have better lows than the LE.

 

[cfsporn]

I find it interesting that the ported 15 would start rolling off first, and the sealed 210 would have better lows than the LE.

I think the 115HE is also ported.

 

[johnsonabq]

I think the 115HE is also ported.

From what I can see only the LF has the port on the back of the cab. And only the manual for the LF series claims to be "rear shelf ported".

 

[johnsonabq]

I find it interesting that the ported 15 would start rolling off first, and the sealed 210 would have better lows than the LE.

Now that I'm looking at the manuals I see that the LF's aren't rated as low as the HE's. So, there ya go.

So maybe a pair of 210HE's would be the ticket. I've favored 10's for a long time.

 

[johnpbass]

Now that I'm looking at the manuals I see that the LF's aren't rated as low as the HE's. So, there ya go.

So maybe a pair of 210HE's would be the ticket. I've favored 10's for a long time.

Don't know if the manual specs tell the true story. I tried both the 210HE and 115HE and went with the 210 because it sounded tighter in the lows due to the rolloff. I would expect the LF to have more low end.

 

[johnsonabq]

Don't know if the manual specs tell the true story. I tried both the 210HE and 115HE and went with the 210 because it sounded tighter in the lows due to the rolloff. I would expect the LF to have more low end.

Common sense would dictate that.

I doubt combining the 210 with a 410 would be wise?

 

[johnpbass]

Common sense would dictate that.

I doubt combining the 210 with a 410 would be wise?

I wouldn't do it myself but here's no harm in trying it out, IMO.

 

[JimmyM]

Now that I'm looking at the manuals I see that the LF's aren't rated as low as the HE's. So, there ya go.

So maybe a pair of 210HE's would be the ticket. I've favored 10's for a long time.

Usable low frequency points (-10db):

PF210he --- 38 hz
PF115he --- 35 hz
PF115lf --- 32 hz
PF410hlf --- 30 hz

For some reason, Ampeg is using the -3db points on their website, but not putting out the -10db. This gives the impression that the LF's aren't rated to go lower than the HE's, but they really are.

 

[cfsporn]

I wouldn't do it myself but here's no harm in trying it out, IMO.

There is HUGE harm in connecting a PF410HLF and a PF210HE to a PF800. Huge, amp-killing, warranty voiding harm.

 

[High Camp]

There is HUGE harm in connecting a PF410HLF and a PF210HE to a PF800. Huge, amp-killing, warranty voiding harm.

That's right, the PF210HE would be holding the 410 back, volumewise.
The endresult would be that either you blow up the speakers in the PF210HE, or your volume is lower than a 410 on its own would be.
Anyway, volume wise, a single 410 would be more than enough volume for all situations.
And so would two PF210HE cabs be.
IMO, YMMV.

 

[johnsonabq]

There is HUGE harm in connecting a PF410HLF and a PF210HE to a PF800. Huge, amp-killing, warranty voiding harm.

That's right, the PF210HE would be holding the 410 back, volumewise.
The endresult would be that either you blow up the speakers in the PF210HE, or your volume is lower than a 410 on its own would be.
Anyway, volume wise, a single 410 would be more than enough volume for all situations.
And so would two PF210HE cabs be.
IMO, YMMV.

Just a thought.

The vast majority of my use here will be with a single portaflex cabinet with the PF800. Not sure if it should be a 115 or 210.

 

[cfsporn]

That's right, the PF210HE would be holding the 410 back, volumewise.
The endresult would be that either you blow up the speakers in the PF210HE, or your volume is lower than a 410 on its own would be.
Anyway, volume wise, a single 410 would be more than enough volume for all situations.
And so would two PF210HE cabs be.
IMO, YMMV.

I was more talking about bringing the PF800 down to 2.67Ω, but your thought is actually a good point too.

 

[johnsonabq]

I was more talking about bringing the PF800 down to 2.67Ω, but your thought is actually a good point too.

Maybe you miss understood. I was speaking of one 210 and one 410, each 8 ohms.

 

[High Camp]

Just a thought.

The vast majority of my use here will be with a single portaflex cabinet with the PF800. Not sure if it should be a 115 or 210.

For a single cab use with Pink Floyd music, I would pick the PF115HE or the PF115LF.