Portaflex PF800/PF410HLF advice

Hi guys,

This is my first post on this forum. I've pulled lots of info from here so i want to thank you all in advance for that. However this time i'm looking for some info/advice that i haven't found here or anywhere else and i really hope you guys can help me out.

I play in a post-metal band and we play quite loud during practice. I currently own a Ampeg PF410HLF and i use a borrowed Ampeg PF800 head. I'm at the stage that i'm going to buy my own amp and i'm at kind of a crossroads. The current PF800/PF410HLF combo comes a bit short on the loudness during practice and i also feel that i'm missing out on the lower frequencies when playing on louder volumes. As far as i can tell from the forums, the PF410HLF is well known for it's lows, and i feel like i'm missing that currently with the currently paired/borrowed PF800.

After lots of reading i have come to multiple options on how to solve this and i would be incredibly grateful if you guys could give me some suggestions.

As far as i see it,

1. I can buy my own PF800 and extend my PF410HLF cab with an additional PF115LF (i've read posts for and against this solution. Mostly against as the PF115LF has a different power rating which could cause problems, or that it would not add much to the 410 as it's supposed to be a stand-alone cab. I'd love some confirmation on this.)
2. Buy a PF500 instead of a PF800 as i've read topics that imply that the PF500 would be a more suitable amp for a single PF410HLF and would improve the sound and tone of the one i already own. I have read on the TB forums somewhere that with the PF800, the PF410 can fart out on higher volumes. Again, i would love some confirmation on this.
3. Sell my PF410HLF, buy the PF800 and add a PF210HE and a PF115LF. But with that, i would sacrifice the portability of the PF500 or 800/PF410HLF combo. This would be a downside as i am in a (sometimes) touring band, so portability is quite a big plus.

I'm at a total loss as what the most logical way to go would be, so i really hope that someone can help me out with this.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

HI Jimmy,

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Judging from your answer, would you recommend that if i were to keep using just one 410, that i should get a PF500 instead of on 800 in order not to blow up the cab?

And thanks for the answers from all of you.

 

@JimmyM I have both the gain and volume at around 2 o clock. If i go any louder then that when playing aggressively, the peak light starts lighting up so i keep it there. -6db button is on because use an active bass (5 string.), bass is at about 2, mids at 3, treble at centre. Ultra hi and low are both off.

Thanks for your time @mmbongo

As far as i can tell from the Ampeg website, is that all the Portaflex stuff is rated at 8 ohms. It's just that the PF410 is 800W and the PF115 at 400. That is what i assume will cause problems. Too much power for the 115?

 

@mmbongo

https://ampeg.com/products/portaflex/pf-410hlf/
That's the one. 800W @ 8ohm.

 

@mmbongo Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. If i were to keep a single 410HLF, would you recommend getting the PF500 instead of the 800? As i said in my original post, i've read somewhere on the site that a PF800 makes the 410HLF low ends fart out when played loud. And do you think it would also be safer? All the Portaflex cabs seem to be rated @ 8 ohms, but the PF800 amp is rated @ 4ohms. That stuff always messes me up. 410HLF is 800W @ 8 ohms, but the PF800 is 800W @ 4 ohms. So confusing...

 

@JimmyM Is it? On the website it says that the 410HFL is rated at 800W @ 8 ohms. Am i missing something?

 

Thanks for the reply. What kind of amp did you run your 410 with at the time?