Ampeg Heritage vs. Regular cabs: the definitive guide (HSVT-810/HSVT-410HLF vs. SVT-810E/SVT-410HLF)

Chris 'Wighat' Jordan

Chris 'Wighat' Jordan

Apr 27, 2005
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#1
There are a few threads on this topic and I've read them.

What I know about the Heritage cabs: American-made Eminence 10's, an Eminence APT-50 instead of a Foster tweeter (in the 410), different/softer Tolex, snazzy grill cloth and better 15mm poplar plywood.

I am interested in elaboration and clarification of the above.

What exactly is different/better about the Heritage 10's? Is the cross-over different in the 410? What is the cross-over frequency in either 410? What else is different/improved?

Maybe @hodgy will fill us in.
 
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#2
I have compared both the 810e and 410hlf Heritage vs Classic, and it's hard to put it into words since there's not a world of difference...each Classic cab is voiced similarly to its Heritage counterpart and are fairly close in tone, but in both cases the Heritage cabs just plain sound better. The quality difference in the speakers is apparent from the second you play through them. With the 810e, I find the Heritage sounds a lot closer to the ideal of the early 70's flatbacks with CTS alnico 10"s, which have been the standard bearer for decades. "Clearer" might be a good term, though it doesn't tell the whole story. I am always happy to play through the Classic 810e, but I'm totally spoiled by the Heritage and I do notice the difference.
 
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#3
Well, @JimmyM, I hadn't played through my SVT-410HLF in maybe a year before I did Monday night. I have been playing through my single 18 JBL E-155 cab and most recently the 215 Ampeg B25B with the Altec 421A's. Both can be characterized as "full-range" and both have WAY more mid-range than the SVT-410HLF while not lacking in lows. We all already knew the SVT-410HLF was mid-shy but it was VERY obvious to me Monday night. Now I'm on either on a mission to get the whole package and/or my tastes have evolved and I no longer care for the exaggerated low end and mid-hollow SVT-410HLF.

I guess what I want to hear is the HSVT-410HLF's LFD's have extended upper range and the APT-50 has extended lower range and Ampeg lowered the cross-over frequency which resulted in the mid's getting filled-out and it is now the perfect 410.

Also now I'm more interested than ever to try out an SVT-215E.
 
#6
Oh yeah, that's right. We discussed that a while back, didn't we? Now it's coming back to me. Well don't expect too much different from the Heritage model then. To me it's very much the same as the more recent regular 410hlf, just better sounding.
 
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