• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Hartke XL410 vs HyDrive410

rjp69

Guest
Apr 17, 2012
8
3
Hello all,

I am currently using a Hartke XL410 with the Hartke LH500. I love the tone I get from this rig, but I always wonder about pairing it with a HyDrive 410 instead. I can't find any comments online where these 2 Hartke cabinets are compared. Opinions would be greatly appreciated!
 
  • Like
Reactions: RumbleSteve
When the Hydrives were first launched I took my 410XL to a dealer and spent a lot of time comparing the two using my Hartke 3500 head. Soundwise they were definitely from the same stable but the Hydrive sounded somewhat clearer due to the horn. The paper aluminium combination really does work well.

I loved the punchy (never harsh or brittle) XL cabs but I ended up trading my 115XL and 410XL for their Hydrive equivalents. The sealed 410 Hydrive is a great cab, capable of high volume controlled bass and is about 40 pounds lighter and has removable castors. The thin tolex covering is the only minus for me as it ripped far too easily. The XL are much harder wearing. If you get the Hydrive 410 you will not regret it and your back will thank you. Although the Hydrive 115 is a good cab it wasn't a good match with the Hydrive 410, it's just so much quieter IME.
 
When the Hydrives were first launched I took my 410XL to a dealer and spent a lot of time comparing the two using my Hartke 3500 head. Soundwise they were definitely from the same stable but the Hydrive sounded somewhat clearer due to the horn. The paper aluminium combination really does work well.

I loved the punchy (never harsh or brittle) XL cabs but I ended up trading my 115XL and 410XL for their Hydrive equivalents. The sealed 410 Hydrive is a great cab, capable of high volume controlled bass and is about 40 pounds lighter and has removable castors. The thin tolex covering is the only minus for me as it ripped far too easily. The XL are much harder wearing. If you get the Hydrive 410 you will not regret it and your back will thank you. Although the Hydrive 115 is a good cab it wasn't a good match with the Hydrive 410, it's just so much quieter IME.

This is great. I have a 410XL and want to add another. I run the HA4000, and preamp out into a fender rumble 150. The rumble is great, but id rather have all of my amp and 2x4 10s would get me there. I may even run the rumble too, cause why not? Im either going for the XL, or looking into the hydrive. although the brand is the same, another goal of mine is to have a rig that isn't a complete "Frankenstein" as I would put it. My question to you is this, knowing how taxing the XL is to move around and test together, and also that I may get my cab online. Could and/or would you recommend mixing the highdrive and XL 410 cabs? Note; im only going to buy one 410 to complete my rig.
 
If you like the 410XL and are strong enough to shift two of them for gigs then that would be my choice. They are very cheap second hand (few people want 99 pound cabs nowadays ) and will stack and match both visually and sonically. I doubt the HX XL combination will stack, look or work sonically as well as either two XLs or two HXs would.