Ampeg SVT-410HLF Speaker Replacement Neo

Swapping drivers in a ported cab like the 410HLF requires some science as the cabinet is tuned to match the OEM speakers. Both the internal cabinet volume and port length have to be taken into account when selecting a new driver, and you may need to change the port tube length. There is a program called WinISD that is referenced a lot around here that allows you to try a few different driver parameters against your enclosure’s specs.

I’m surprised that you say your 410HLF is 115 pounds, though, as that is what the 610HLF is said to weigh. Your weight savings estimate post-swap is accurate, however. I have a sealed Ampeg 410HE I swapped Eminence SC10-16 drivers into, which are specifically intended for sealed cabinets. I also removed the tweeter and crossover while I was at it and the cab went from 75 to 57 pounds!

 

The weight loss is not due to particleboard construction. All the newer ones made since like the middle of 2006 are made of actual plywood. The weight savings are because of slightly thinner boards with better bracing, and because of the type of wood used, which for the past few years has been poplar and was baltic birch, but poplar is a little lighter, I believe. Also, since about 2010 or 2011, the sound got tweaked...they're still super low end cabs but the overwhelming boominess has been tamed down and the mids are a bit more prominent. So unless you prefer the big boomy low end of the older cabs, you're not skimping on quality with a newer one. Especially if you go Heritage. I've heard the regular one and the Heritage side by side, and for an extra hundy the Heritage is the way to go. Definite improvement in tone. Regular one's good but the Heritage has a thing.

 

I don't wanna disagree with Jimmy but out of all the Ampeg cabinets the HLF probably has had the most significant changes too it over the years. And likewise major differences in weight and likewise port tuning and driver changes.

I forget the member and also I believe a manufacturer who personal has done or observed changes to the HLF. Atleast 3 different tunings have been reported at 60hz 45hz and 30hz

Tunings were mentioned cause been arguments what driver is used and if it's the same driver as the sealed cabinets. Often stirred cause the part numbers have been different.

Anyways if you do have a heavier cabinet which yes means more particle board. A neo swap won't really help much. 15 pounds isn't really much.

Likewise I can say you could greatly improve the cab quality and sound sticking with heavier ceramics. You'll need a speaker that is designed for ported. That's easy to find

The eminence stamp steel factory speakers barely do 92/93dB each and somewhat known to be mud buckets

The higher quality cast frame eminence speakers have higher sensitivity around 95 to 96 dB and have much more clear mids/highs

Aside from the usual neo suggestions. The CA series and the Eden CA series that are now available. Will kick the factory speakers in the arse

I don't know the factory volume. But I'll assume it's the same old .9 cubic feet per driver that ampeg typically uses. Which is absolutely fine for the CA drivers

If your cabinet is tuned at 60 , 45 or 30 the 60 Hz tuning or 45hz would be ok for neo. And the 45hz or 60hz tuning would be ok for the CA drivers.

So be good idea if you want to endeavor a neo or CA swap. Measure the actual internal dimensions/volume. And how many ports there is. The actual port exit size and the port length. And the volume and tuning can be determined.

Pretty sure it will be around .9 per driver
Which is fine for many drivers.
Well not for my tastes but follows typical ampeg sound which is little more ripple or boominess I'd use. But gives the design a little more power handling. Which I'll assume is their design choices. Be cool if the used 1 to 1.3 and be good surprise if they did

 

Depends if you want a 8ohm or 4ohm cab or plan on bypassing or using the tweeter.

I'd run it no tweeter all drivers in parallel

If you use 4x32 ohm drivers 8ohms
If you use 4x16 ohm drivers 4ohms

If you use 4x8 ohm drivers in series/parallel 8ohms

Neo

Basslite SC10-16 94dB
Basslite SC10-32 94dB

Cast frames

Legend CA10-16 96dB
Legend CA10-32 96dB

Cast frame Eden

Legend CA1059-8 96dB
Legend CA1059-16 96B

I'll assume 3.6 to 3.8 cabinet volume
Fine for all those drivers
Be better surprise if ampeg pushed it
To 4 or 4.6
Also fine for all those drivers

Recommended tuning 45 to 55hz for SC drivers
Recommended tuning 50 to 60 Hz for CA
Drivers

 

You're not really disagreeing with me on that. I mentioned some of the differences my own self. I just don't know what all they did technically.

 

The Eminence neo driver you would want for a ported cab is the Basslite S2010, which has a sensitivity of 96.2 dB. The Basslite SC10-16 and SC10-32 are optimized for sealed cabs, which is why the sensitivity is lower than the S2010 as the cone/suspension is designed to work in a fixed air space and still have good low end extension.

 

True, the 8 ohm basslite would work. And figured it come up. I don't like series /parallel wiring. And if used this would be the wiring for 8ohm. I suggested all parallel wiring which is why a use the 16 or 32 ohm drivers. EBP is in the 80's which would be good for ported and sealed
To be fair really to all the drivers. The averaged sensitivity is higher for the 8ohm. But if you look at the low-end performance of all the sc basslite 10" drivers. The sensitivity is roughly the same and averages 94/95 dB

I don't care for neos much. But luckily this is a ported cabinet. So even the high quality cast frame neo kappas might be good candidates As well. Personally I've never heard or modeled the 10" neo kappas.

I usually try to recommend drivers I've heard and used. And I've had good amount of experience with the SC neos and especially the cast frame CA drivers.
And recommended them. But agreed the higher sensitivity is appealing.

 

I would recommend, selling your cabinet and going for the Heritage 410HLF. Mine is 76lbs? Or about so. I can dead lift it if necessary. It is lighter than the 410HE. IMO it is still a PITA to move, I’d rather the casters be on the bottom. But... they aren’t.

 

You'd have to find someone who swapped the exact same speakers you want, in an identically constructed cab (due to the differences). After that, you'd have to trust that their opinion and your own are the same concerning anything important with the sound.

It would seem easier and more cost effective to replace what you have, with what you want. Modifications are a slippery slope for even an experienced builder, and can be worse for the more discerning player who is really into a particular tone.

 

It was almost as quick as it took for you to act on it For the extra hundy, to me it's a no brainer to go Heritage when it comes to the 410hlf. Hope you enjoy it!

 

Well welcome back, man, and I hope you find your true identity one day

 

hi jimmy,i recently got an svt cl and i had the 4x10 he cab in 8 ohm,so i think to buy the hlf 4 ohm,is this a wise move?and if i take the hlf new one how do i know that its the "boomy" free version?thanks

 

A wise move depends on a couple of things ... are you going to be using the 410hlf by itself with the SVT or were you thinking of running both cabs together? As a standalone it should be fine. And you could probably run both together without problem but it's not recommended because it gives you a weird 2.6 ohm impedance, and I don't think they sound quite as good as they do when you run them at a straight up 4 or 2 ohms.

The other thing I should mention is the boominess in the 410hlf is not gone entirely. It still has a way big low end response with some boom. But in about 2010 I believe, they tweaked the sound to make it less boomy and add back more mid-range. If you buy a new one, it'll almost certainly be one of the less boomy ones. Frankly if you can swing it, the Heritage model is totally the way to go.

 

thank you jimmy.right now i run the svt on the 8 ohm 4x10 HE cab,i like it but i am afraid i am going to hurt the amp,from what i hear.others say do it,others not,whats your opinion?to stay with the 8 ohm HE or go down to 4 ohms with the hlf? i must say that i am in europe so we have the european voltage.

 

It is not what the company says, and like I said I don't care for the sound of it running at 8 ohms as much as running at 4 ohms, but the co-inventor of the SVT says they are perfectly fine to run at 8 ohms. I've done it on gigs before with rented svt's and I've never had a problem. Personally, the 410hlf is not my thing so I use an 810e e with my SVT. But if I only wanted to use a 410, I would do just what you are doing. The difference in sound, to be totally honest, is nitpicking, but since I have the choice to nitpick, I do

 

the truth is that for now i like the svt with the HE cab,and i dint want to spend more money on a new cab,my second thoughts are about the svt safe usage,so i think about the hlf.but i wanted your opinion, so maybe i stick with the curent rig if you would too!dou you think to add a 210 svt he cab 200 watt with the 4x10 he would be a good idea?or it will mess the sound?