Anyone with 410hlf speaker mod experience ?

[PDXbassdad]

I've been getting more unhappy with the the sound that I'm getting from my existing cab. (Ampeg 410hlf) it's pretty muddy in the mix. I did get it used so I'm not sure what shape the speakers were in to start with. I'm now toying with the idea of swapping out the existing speakers dor something high end (Beymas 10g40 or Faital pro 10pr310). On paper it would be a very nice improvement.

Based on all of the reading I've done I know that folks don't like messing with the art of cab design / speaker pairing in theory. but does anyone have any experience with a speaker swap in this cab?

 

[abarson]

Sell what doesn't work for you, use the proceeds to buy what does.
That way you don't invest time and money into something with dubious results.

 

[Wasnex]

I don't have any experience with that particular cab, but a lot of people say it midscooped and tends to be really boomy; especially with tube heads. Almost all of the positive comments I have seen involve someone who is using a very powerful solid state amp.


The newer ones are supposed to sound better.

I agree with @abarson , your best bet is to sell the cab and use the proceeds to buy something you like better. I have no idea if a Beyma 10G40 would work in the 410HLF, but keep in mind four of those will run about $800. The cab currently sells new for $899...and you can probably get a better deal if you shop around.

The Faital is a bit less expensive, but four will set you back about $736.

 

[agedhorse]

Sell what doesn't work for you, use the proceeds to buy what does.
That way you don't invest time and money into something with dubious results.

Good advice.

 

[anderbass]

With all the similar complaints about these older HLF 410 cabs, I keep expecting someone to try somehow altering the ports to roll off some of this cabs low-bass responce. Seems like reducing low-bass would effectively increase clarity a bit...

I keep wondering what effect something as simple as plugging one (or possibly 2?) of the ports with a tightly rolled up towel would achieve?

 

[agedhorse]

Porting is only one factor that governs the response. The drivers work with the porting (depth and area) and internal volume of the box as a complete system.

The drivers (along with the box) were designed for a particular response. If that's not your taste, you will be MUCH better off selling what you have (unmolested) and then using that money plus what you would spend on new drivers and the time on a new cabinet that you can first play and confirm fits better with your needs and taste.

 

[two fingers]

Porting is only one factor that governs the response. The drivers work with the porting (depth and area) and internal volume of the box as a complete system.

The drivers (along with the box) were designed for a particular response. If that's not your taste, you will be MUCH better off selling what you have (unmolested) and then using that money plus what you would spend on new drivers and the time on a new cabinet that you can first play and confirm fits better with your needs and taste.

This.

The only caveat I'll throw in is that I had great results throwing an HPF in front of my 610 HLF cab. Try that (much cheaper than 4 new speakers). If that doesn't do it for you, stop trying to jam a square peg into a round hole. Just go find a round peg.

 

[agedhorse]

Yes, a HPF might be a helpful addition.

 

[AlexanderB]

Shortening the ports will raise the tuning, and for the SVT-410HLF means a bloated, "muddy" response in the 60-100Hz range. Lower tuning will generate a flatter, "leaner" sound. Having tried both in the Chinese made ones, I strongly prefer the long (6-7") port.

 

[micguy]

I keep wondering what effect something as simple as plugging one (or possibly 2?) of the ports with a tightly rolled up towel would achieve?

You can do that kind of stuff if you want, but I wouldn't go investing a bunch of money in 4 new drivers, hoping that it might result in a better solution than what you have currently. Most cabinets available commercially were optimized to some extent by someone who know what they're doing. Granted, they may not have been allowed to do everything they wanted to (most bass cabinets could be better if they were larger, but noone wants a big box), but....the chances that buying a bunch of drivers that the box wasn't designed for, and getting better results out of that than with the stock drivers? I'd put that between slim and none.

 

[agedhorse]

You can do that kind of stuff if you want, but I wouldn't go investing a bunch of money in 4 new drivers, hoping that it might result in a better solution than what you have currently. Most cabinets available commercially were optimized to some extent by someone who know what they're doing. Granted, they may not have been allowed to do everything they wanted to (most bass cabinets could be better if they were larger, but noone wants a big box), but....the chances that buying a bunch of drivers that the box wasn't designed for, and getting better results out of that than with the stock drivers? I'd put that between slim and none.

Ahhhh, the eternal optimist

 

[GreyBeard]

I've been getting more unhappy with the the sound that I'm getting from my existing cab. (Ampeg 410hlf) it's pretty muddy in the mix. I did get it used so I'm not sure what shape the speakers were in to start with. I'm now toying with the idea of swapping out the existing speakers dor something high end (Beymas 10g40 or Faital pro 10pr310). On paper it would be a very nice improvement.

Based on all of the reading I've done I know that folks don't like messing with the art of cab design / speaker pairing in theory. but does anyone have any experience with a speaker swap in this cab?

This would be a crap shoot. Best solution right now would be a High Pass filter set to around 50 or so. It will cut those sub sonic frequencies muddying up your sound.

 

[rufus.K]

Trade it for a 410he.

 

[vvvmmm]

I love the ad from Ampeg:
"The Ampeg SVT-410HLF is the supreme speaker enclosure for the multi-string bass player seeking both superior power handling and true high-fidelity performance." Here).

I take it as a warning for "the single-string bass player".

 

[PDXbassdad]

Thanks for all of the advice. I probably should do some tweaking with a hpf and maybe ports just so I can get a better idea of what I'm looking for in another cab.

 

[JimmyM]

Thanks for all of the advice. I probably should do some tweaking with a hpf and maybe ports just so I can get a better idea of what I'm looking for in another cab.

Those cabs were made for mondo lows. Great cab if you like mondo lows. I think you'd be better served by swapping it for a 410he if you want to stay Ampeg.