Looking to get a new amp here in a couple months. I currently have a Peavy TK150 and have been gigging steadily with it for about 5-6 years but its gettin old. So im lookin to get a Hartke 2x15 XL Series Cabinet but I can't find any reviews about it. Anyone got experience with this cab? and what type of head would one recommend for it?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Question? Hartke 2x15 XL Series Cabinet
- Thread starter JJ Lowtone
- Start date
I've never played that cabinet (215xl) but from the specs, it looks like it would need another cabinet to supplement the high end. Its frequency response is (supposedly) 30hz-1khz. You won't get much high end or definition with that low of response.
The VX215 has a high frequency horn, but they don't list the frequency response on that page (Samson/Hartke website).
Any particular reason you're looking at the Hartke?
The VX215 has a high frequency horn, but they don't list the frequency response on that page (Samson/Hartke website).
Any particular reason you're looking at the Hartke?
You haven't picked a head yet? And, you're looking at one speaker cab? Man, there's tons of good gear available, maybe just think about what it is you're looking for, and spend a little time reading the amps forum for an indication of what's available, and go from there.
I have and use a hartke 215 xl and love it deep and punchy,alittle brighter than a paper cone but then again it is how you EQ it with your amp.
Now this is kinda like putting the cart before the horse, But there are good combinations out there , But for me GK head works well with Hartke cabs and so does a Peavey t-max and my carvins b-1500 and the little bx 500. Other guys may have other combinations too. The 215 is not light ,so keep that in mind too ,
I would focus on the head 1st and get the best you can afford with a min of 300 watts rms at 8 ohms or more, headroom is what you want. the new D-amps out there now are light and powerfull , Now this is my opinion you cant go wrong with a Gk 700rbll it has a great track record and sounds good with most cabs from cheap ones to the top of the line.
Sorry I got off track alittle , if you have a good line on the Hartke 215 and it appeals to you ,get it it sounds good for blues and old school stuff, you can allway add another cab like a 210 with a horn if you need more high end but remember the Harke is a 4 ohm cab so you have to bi-amp or get a head that goes down to 2 ohms to add the other cab.
Just my 2cents
eno
Now this is kinda like putting the cart before the horse, But there are good combinations out there , But for me GK head works well with Hartke cabs and so does a Peavey t-max and my carvins b-1500 and the little bx 500. Other guys may have other combinations too. The 215 is not light ,so keep that in mind too ,
I would focus on the head 1st and get the best you can afford with a min of 300 watts rms at 8 ohms or more, headroom is what you want. the new D-amps out there now are light and powerfull , Now this is my opinion you cant go wrong with a Gk 700rbll it has a great track record and sounds good with most cabs from cheap ones to the top of the line.
Sorry I got off track alittle , if you have a good line on the Hartke 215 and it appeals to you ,get it it sounds good for blues and old school stuff, you can allway add another cab like a 210 with a horn if you need more high end but remember the Harke is a 4 ohm cab so you have to bi-amp or get a head that goes down to 2 ohms to add the other cab.
Just my 2cents
eno
I have owned both of these....the 215XL and the VX215. The 215XL is a hell of a cab, tons of low end (and weighs a ton too)...but yeah if youre a fan of tweeters then you might not dig it...personally, I thought it had plenty of highs, but Im not much for treble (slapping and such) but it sounds fantastic with a 5 string. The VX215 is MUCH lighter, and has a horn but the horn is not adjustable, so you gotta adjust your highs with the EQ on your head. It has a great low end too, but is darker sounding due to the paper cones, and not as defined as the 215Xl's aluminum cones...still sounds great though and is my gigging rig currently. The VX215 is out of production now though.
I played a Hartke 215XL cab for years combined with a Hartke 410XL through an Ampeg SVT-4 Pro and I'll agree with those here, the 215 a kickass cab for sure. It has a hell of a low end and I always thought it held it's own for highs by itself as well, but I think it works best when combined with some 10's. It is aluminum cones though, so that does have a certain appeal for some bassists over others.
I'm actually selling my 215 now only because I'm finally getting my dream rig (an Ampeg SVT-CL with an 810e cab)
I'm actually selling my 215 now only because I'm finally getting my dream rig (an Ampeg SVT-CL with an 810e cab)
Thanks guys for the suggestions. I've also got a Ibanez EDC705 and love that low end. Also thanks for the tip on the Gk 700rbll. I was thinkin about that amp but until someone said it I wasn't sure.
I just bought a hartke 215 XL cab on craigslist for $125. The only problem is the bottom driver has a ripped cone, it still sounds good at low and medium volumes but if i push it, it starts to rattle, does anyone know if hartke will replace the cone for me and will they do it for free, if not is it worth it?.... i bought a pyle driver (same size, same watts same ohms) to replace it temporarily, i havent installed it yet, will this speaker combo work in my cabinet?
It lives!!! (Zombie thread resurrection!)
I'm expecting someone to chime in with a comment regarding the specs of that Pyle vs. the original and how it won't be a good match - does that mean it won't make sound? No, it will, but if you are "pushing" it as you indicated, it's best to replace the entire driver with an original from Hartke.
Hartke does not sell re-cone kits (which is why I prefer not to own them personally, but I play through them at my church) and they definitely won't fix it for free. Another option is to tape the cone (hmm, aluminum foil tape might work?) as a temporary fix until you can get an original in. And go return that Pyle to get your money back.
There's a 215xl near me that I would probably buy if it were the right price, but I'm trying to hold off until I can save for a reeeely nice cab.
Raz
hey Raz, thanks for the quick response, im not too concerned with the cost of the pyle speaker, i may keep it and build an enclosure for it as a single 15 down the road, and the aluminum tape is a good idea. The cabinet is an add on for my ACOUSTIC BN6210 which only has 2x10s ......i get great sound with it at medium volumes and when i gig we're always running direct output to the board. I'm going to try the speaker in the cabinet, that way i can still use it while i get the old driver fixed.
Just a quick update, i just replaced the blown aluminum driver with the pyle and its sounds great, not sure whether the technology has gotten better over the years or if i just got lucky with a decent replacement but i can barely notice any difference (its not as "bright" as the hartke speaker but it makes up in low end), im only going to use it a handful of times a year while gigging and when i really wanna take out some aggression at home 
...... i admit i was kinda nervous but so far so good it seems like its a good "fit"
...... i admit i was kinda nervous but so far so good it seems like its a good "fit"
I have the 1x15 XL that I use by itself with a SR5 and Ampeg pf500. I punch the ultra hi and turn up the upper mids to about 2:00 and it gives me what I need. Pretty sure the 2x15XL has the same speakers in it. Depends on the style of music you play. If you are into slapping and popping, you will probably need to add a tweeter at some point.
I knew once i bought this cabinet i was taking a chance ..... live and learn(kinda what i already knew/expected) now that i have the new "pyle" driver in the bottom port, ive noticed that the other hartke speaker is crackling also (i thought that one was good) i think im going to spend another $45 and get the same pyle to replace that one also, i will, in turn, lose a little more high end BUT the combo amp im hooking it to has 2 10's and a built in equalizer (im happy with the 1st replacement i bought) so bottom line is i spent $125 on the cabinet with 2 blown speakers, the replacements are costing me $90 total, so for $215 and a little bit of work, i got a pretty decent cab with casters and handles and brand new 800 watt speakers (instead of 400 watt hartke's) i also have the old speakers to sell as is, or have them refurbished, im trying to build the best rig i can for the cheapest price .....not doing too bad so far, AND im happy with my overall sound. I dont do much slapping but i do like a more "trebley" tone (being a guitarist back in the day) we play classic rock.
