Hartke XL vs Hydrive

[FugaziBomb]

I recently retired my Hartke XL 810 (2 x 410, really) set up. I was running stereo wet/dry effects and decided I wanted to split things up via bi-amping using a Peavey 18 Subwoofer for the lows and a Peavey Headliner 210 for the highs/effects.

The sub SLAYS. It hits so much harder than my old 810 set up, but the 210 cabinet isn't as snappy as my old Hartkes were. My chorus and overdrives just don't cut through with the Peaveys like they did with the Hartkes... So I'm thinking of flipping the Peavey 210 and going with a Hartke 210 instead. I was going to go with a 210XL but I want to know what the Hydrives are all about in comparison.

Has anyone sat down with both versions of the same cabinets and compared them? If so, what were your impressions of each?

The old:

The new:

 

[oatsoda]

Haven’t played the hydrides, so no comparison info to share.

Been very pleased with my XLs though, I have the 210 sitting on the 115.

 

[walterw]

the hydrives blow away the old XLs, as in they're far lighter and far more powerful

 

[Clark Westfield]

I agree.

I have an 810XL, HD210 and HX410 and as much as I love the 810, I’m tired of moving that Beast.

That SOB is heavy!

The Hydrives both have volume and punch for what we play that I may retire my 810 one day.

 

[Meaculpa]

i just found this:

 

[Sparky Mark]

i just found this:

This video is similar to my experience. I spent a couple of hours comparing my 410XL and 115 XL with the original 410 and 115 Hydrives when they were first launched. Although the 410 Hydrive is sealed it sounded very similar to the XL. The weight saving was the clincher so I traded my XLs for the equivalent Hydrive cabs. The 410 Hydrive is a great cab that you'll love if you want to keep the Hartke sound character. I wish I'd bought two 410s though as the 115 was a poor match. The tolex was like tissue paper, nowhere near as durable as the XL carpet.