I know its hard to imagine what a 70lb (410) or 60lb (115) actually feels like, but these are about as compact as full size cabs come (24x24x15in) and have quick release castors and good side handles which makes moving them simple even for me (5'9" 154lbs). When you pop the castors off the cabs stack easily on their rubber feet (same ones as on the LH1000), if you leave them on getting the castors to slot into the location cups is the hardest thing about these cabs.
One thing to remember is that Larry Hartke built his reputation with his speakers, so I don't think there's any way he's going to risk it with inferior speakers now. I had Hartke XL's since the early nineties and only traded them in for the HyDrives which I now love too. The XL cones were in as good order after 15 years of gigging as when I got them, the only concern I have is that the paper to aluminium join on the HyDrives is as rugged. I wonder if Hartke have any data they are prepared to publish about this aspect as it is the radical bit of the HX design?
I think there's a bit of snobbery when it comes to Hartke, perhaps because it's built in the far east it's too cheap to be considered as serious competition for the others. But the LH1K plus the HX spkrs are right up there with the best without paying mega bucks IMO. I play pubs and clubs and never want for great tone or more power. I'm sure I could spend $5000 and get a marginal improvement, but I'm not a high earning pro, just an enthusiastic amateur.
Unless 'your sound' is particularly esoteric, I reckon you could find the best mail order deal on a HX410 and add the 115 only if you find you need the extra power. I will say however that adding the 115 does make a huge difference to the sound levels, much more than you would imagine from moving from 750 to 1200w, it feels like three or more times. Great for outdoor shows without PA support.
