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Another Hartke Question

metalreptile

metalreptile

Guest
Apr 25, 2013
15
2
#1
Although I have played, or attempted to play bass for a number of years, I am a total tech dunce. I know next to nothing of ohms and all that technical speaker/amp matching wizardry. My question is simple, and laughable to most of you, but I have always been of mind if I don't know, then ask. So I figure here is the best place to ask. As mentioned elsewhere, I now have a Hartke LH1000 head, and almost certain to be soon purchasing a Hartke HyDrive 4x10 cabinet to go with it. I played most of my time in the 70's, and all this new equipment is just that, new to me. Speakon cables? The Hartke has provisions for Speakon or regular 1/4 inch head to cabinet connection. And apparently from what I have read elsewhere here, the cabinet has a switch to select ohms? So.....what the heck do I wanna use? I am assuming Speakon is best? What ohm setting, if there is indeed a choice? I just want this setup to be right in every respect, as it will most likely be my last. Now....if you're finished laughing.....guide an old man pleeez!!
 
#3
tfer is right on the money about the cabinet - 8 Ohms and no option for selecting 4 Ohms.

For the speaker cable, with 1000 Watts on tap I would personally prefer the Speakon type connection for a number of reasons. I would also want 12 or 14 gauge wire, but over such a short distance (3-5 feet) 16 gauge would probably be fine. The Speakon is a better designed, more secure connection with a larger, protected electrical contact area that is better suited to high power applications.

My "comfort zone" rule of thumb is that with 300 Watts or less, a 1/4 speaker connection is okay (with Speakon always being a preferred option). Above 300 Watts, Speakons are really the best way to go, and given their availability and reasonable cost, it just makes sense.

You'll get a lot of opinions on cables. As an engineer, my advice is to look at what the state of art is offering at reasonable prices and see if the best decision isn't pretty much obvious even without the engineering details. As a final tip from my lessons learned file, Genuine Neutrik connectors are always the best way to go and worth the few dollars extra if there even is a cost difference. Good luck!
 
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#4
tfer said:
The 410 is an 8 ohm cabinet. The only cab in the Hydrive lineup that you can switch impedance, is the 112.

Speakon or speaker cable - doesn't really matter.
Click to expand...

If you run it in bridge mode (which is required when running a single cabinet 4 or 8ohms) then I would suggest you run it with a speakon cable or you can risk damaging your entire rig. All of this information is available in the manual which I would suggest a read over. Good luck!
 
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