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Durability between TC Electronics vs Hartke 15-inch cabs -- Please weigh in

Agapeguy

Agapeguy

Jan 19, 2018
30
29
#1
Hey all! Got my Sweetwater gearcard --- then ordered the G-K MB800 head amp as the foundation for building a more powerful, modular setup for rock and funk gigs. (I already have a MarkBass CMD 15-inch 250-watt combo with a Fender rumble 2x10 cab as the worship rig set for the small 50-person church I attend.) Anyway, now I've been testing out 15-inch cabs in the 500-600 watt range. The two cabs I like the most (and barely within my budget) are the Hartke HyDrive HD115 and the TC Electronic RS115 cabs. They have similar specs, but I don't know which brand is better in terms of durability/reliability. Any feedback on your direct personal experiences with either of these two manufacturers would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your wisdom and feedback!
 
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#4
I have never played a Hartke HyDrive 115 or a TCE RS115, but I have owned 2 Hartke 210XL cabs and a 115XL cab and currently own 2 TC RS210 cabs as well as 2 TC K212 cabs. Based on that I would say that the TC is much more reliable and can actually handle more power. The older Hartke cabs could never handle what they claimed, although the HyDrives are better than the older XL cabs.

My RS210's have never farted out and have handled any amp I have ran through them and that has been a lot. Plus they sound great. IMHO.
 
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#6
Wicked G said:
I have never played a Hartke HyDrive 115 or a TCE RS115, but I have owned 2 Hartke 210XL cabs and a 115XL cab and currently own 2 TC RS210 cabs as well as 2 TC K212 cabs. Based on that I would say that the TC is much more reliable and can actually handle more power. The older Hartke cabs could never handle what they claimed, although the HyDrives are better than the older XL cabs.

My RS210's have never farted out and have handled any amp I have ran through them and that has been a lot. Plus they sound great. IMHO.
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Thanks! I tried out both the TCE and Hartke cabs with an 800-watt head at a local GC and they both rocked, both seemed like they would cut through even with a low B string. Both seem very well made. I'm older (58), but at this point in time I don't mind the weight of either cab. I want to use the cab alone with the head.
 
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#7
I just got a GK 412 Neo which slays. In your budget new, you could get 2 of the 2x12s (rated 600w each at 8 ohms). Your GK head is something like 400-500w at 8 ohms, so that works well for single cabbing it too. Honestly, you may only actually NEED 1 of those cabs for a lot of stuff. I picked up the 4x12 because I sometimes play heavier stuff and like to have way more speaker than I need and I got it super cheap. That cab is only 100 lbs and only seems slightly larger than a typical 4x10. But it also sounds awesome. They can be "bright" without being harsh, and seem to have a decent amount of low end without being boomy.
 
#8
Agapeguy said:
Hey all! Got my Sweetwater gearcard --- then ordered the G-K MB800 head amp as the foundation for building a more powerful, modular setup for rock and funk gigs. (I already have a MarkBass CMD 15-inch 250-watt combo with a Fender rumble 2x10 cab as the worship rig set for the small 50-person church I attend.) Anyway, now I've been testing out 15-inch cabs in the 500-600 watt range. The two cabs I like the most (and barely within my budget) are the Hartke HyDrive HD115 and the TC Electronic RS115 cabs. They have similar specs, but I don't know which brand is better in terms of durability/reliability. Any feedback on your direct personal experiences with either of these two manufacturers would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for your wisdom and feedback!
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I've had a good bit of TCE gear, including RS210 and 212 cabinets (had a Hartke head and cabinet, but older stuff so no real comment there).

The one thing I'd comment and question is do you plan to used a cover? RS cabinets do not have corners (i.e., caps/covers) and had a coating that picked up scuffs and scraps more easily that other finishes. I know the finish went through a few revisions and I'm not sure what the current state is, but something to be aware of in terms of cosmetic durability. The Hartke appears to have a robust tolex covering and it has corners.

Good luck
 
#9
Agapeguy said:
Thanks! I tried out both the TCE and Hartke cabs with an 800-watt head at a local GC and they both rocked, both seemed like they would cut through even with a low B string. Both seem very well made. I'm older (58), but at this point in time I don't mind the weight of either cab. I want to use the cab alone with the head.
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Well if you liked both, I would say to pick out the one you like best. But as far as reliability goes, I still say TC. Those RS cabs were heralded as great cabs when they first came out by guys like Kjung and tombowlus as well as others. I myself have been using the RS210's for 4 years now with great success. I actually use those the most of all my cabs as well as my Genz Benz UBER's.

drpepper said:
I've had a good bit of TCE gear, including RS210 and 212 cabinets (had a Hartke head and cabinet, but older stuff so no real comment there).

The one thing I'd comment and question is do you plan to used a cover? RS cabinets do not have corners (i.e., caps/covers) and had a coating that picked up scuffs and scraps more easily that other finishes. I know the finish went through a few revisions and I'm not sure what the current state is, but something to be aware of in terms of cosmetic durability. The Hartke appears to have a robust tolex covering and it has corners.

Good luck
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My RS210's are 4 years old and they still look the same as the day I purchased them, so the newer finish is pretty durable. Although I do wrap them in XL t-shirts to transport them, but we all know t-shirts are pretty thin.
 
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#10
Hi, I have never owned TC but I own and still have my Hartke (2-4.5XL cabs 1-Hartke 3500 bass amp from 1997) they've never broken down and still work today. I would still be gigging them today but me being 60 years old with some medical issues they are just too heavy for me now. I've written Larry Hartke some years back telling him how his gear had become my trademark sound for decades and how they were very reliable but have become to heavy for me to lift and he told me about his Hydrive series.Mr Hartke is a very nice guy and very informative. I'd check out Hartke if I were you, the worst is you don't like them but check out the 12" hydrive cab it can switch between 4ohm-8ohm and less than 37lbs. I still swear by Hartke today nothing makes a Musician Stingray5 sound better. Just my 02. Good luck
 
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#11
Don't ignore the Avatar cabs. I had a 15/10 with Celestial Neo's rated at 500W and 300W respectively. I picked up one directly from Avatar for 265.00. That baby rocked the house. Driven by an Ampeg SVT-3 PRO, there was no venue that I couldn't play except a giant hall or Redrocks here in Colorado.
 
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#12
Update: A bass buddy who had been on vacation is back in town near me. He asked me about my decision. He asked me to keep my options ppen. Then he joined me at a local music store as I again tried a G-K neo 115 cab, which rattled at 1 o'clock with the same model 800 G-K amp. The G-K cab is not tight & thumpy enough at high volume for my ears and it rattled at 1 o'clock. Then he had me try an Ampeg PN-115HLF cab, a previously un-tried contender. Wow! It sounded impressive to my ears with active and passive basses, just like the TCE cab. But I also really liked the sturdy ruggedness of the Ampeg cab. Hmmm. The size and weight is similar too to the TCE. It's pricey though, the Ampeg. Now I have more to think about. Dang!
 
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#13
Wicked G said:
I have never played a Hartke HyDrive 115 or a TCE RS115, but I have owned 2 Hartke 210XL cabs and a 115XL cab and currently own 2 TC RS210 cabs as well as 2 TC K212 cabs. Based on that I would say that the TC is much more reliable and can actually handle more power. The older Hartke cabs could never handle what they claimed, although the HyDrives are better than the older XL cabs.

My RS210's have never farted out and have handled any amp I have ran through them and that has been a lot. Plus they sound great. IMHO.
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Thx. The TCE cab is a deep thumping beast at high volume!
 
#15
Went with the Ampeg, after all! This will be a fun adventure for me. It's sturdy and seems very well made. The removable casters must be purchased separately. I'll hook up the MB800 head and mess with the tweeter settings this weekend. BTW, thank you all for your knowledge sharing and inputs!
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#16
Agapeguy said:
Went with the Ampeg, after all! This will be a fun adventure for me. It's sturdy and seems very well made. The removable casters must be purchased separately. I'll hook up the MB800 head and mess with the tweeter settings this weekend. BTW, thank you all for your knowledge sharing and inputs!
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Sweet! That new cabinet smell :woot:
 
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#19
It has the deep but tight thump at high volume I was looking for, just like the TCE cab! I only tried it with the head at 1 o'clock for a moment just 10 seconds or so (don't want to annoy the roomies or neighbors) but no rattling --- and wonderful, pleasing sound with the tweeter at "3". The head can push this cab very loud. Wow! My seasoned bass buddy wonders how a Sterling/MM would sound with this setup?
 
#20
Wicked G said:
GK heads do sound good through Ampeg cabs. Enjoy.
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I agree! With the G-K head settings basically near flat, and the Ampeg cab tweeter around 3, which sounds perfect for my ears, I can get a loud, pleasing, tight and deep thump. I just wish I knew more about the head settings better. I have a learning curve for using this head/combo. I wonder if there's a thread already for suggested head amp settings: I'll check the docs that came with the head and read through all of it---I went right to the quick start guide. LOL!
 

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