Ampeg PF-210HE or Mesa Traditional Powerhouse 210

pondscum29

pondscum29

Feb 23, 2006
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4,571
Sacramento, CA
#1
So I'm looking to make an upgrade/switch to a vertical stacked 210 config. I have a Mesa Walkabout and a Markbass TTE-500. The cabs I currently have are a Carvin BRX10.4 and 10.2. Since both are 4ohms, I can't run them together with the Markbass. So in my research, I've narrowed it down to Ampeg PF-210HE or Mesa Traditional Powerhouse 210. Does anyone have side-by-side comparisons with these? I like that the Ampeg is less expensive, but if the Mesa would be a better fit, it's within my budget.
 
#2
The Mesa ph210 is one of the best 210s Ive played. I only had a few minutes with one at a shop, hooked up to a prodigy head, though. I'm sure the prodigy was a big part of the equation but it sure had a punchy, warm tone. Plenty of air being pushed by that cab. The pf-210s Ive tried have been nice cabs, but will not push as much air as the mesa ph210. Being sealed, the pf's low-end response is more similar to the 810e. A good thing, but if using a lot of power, the drivers might "give up" sooner vs the ph210. I'm a big fan of Ampeg's amps, and dig many of their cabs, too. Personally, I find the mesa ph210 a bit more versatile, and it seems a bit more robust overall in construction (bomb-proof). Not the lightest 210, and pretty deep at round 19 inches. But, if you don't mind the schlep, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better performing 210 cab, IMO. As always, ymmv, and if you're able to try out both I would definitely recommend it. :)
 
#3
The PH210 is all well and good. I owned one for a while... all 68lb of it. The PH112 is where it is at IMO. Out of like 15 cabs I've owned it is probably my favorite sounding and the easiest to lug around.
 
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#7
I think the Mesa ph210s are round $729 each at sweetwater. Is there a Mesa dealer in your area? Might be worth calling around to see if any stores have them in stock. Most dealers also have a return policy, just in case. Hmm, if you can go play on the Ampeg pf-210he cabs, I think there is a good chance you'll know after a few minutes if they give you the sound your lookn' for. If they don't do it for ya, you may dig the Mesa ph210 if you lean toward 10s in general IMO.
 
#8
What styles do you play? I'd prob go with the Ampegs. Should be fairly easy to resell for around the same if you so desired. If you buy a new Mesa the resale will be much less especially on the 2x10.
 
#9
If you can find those PF210he's for $250, go for it. They're pretty heavy duty for 210's and have good bottom end response but not crazy low like the 115 and 410 PF cabs.
 
#11
chaosMK said:
What styles do you play? I'd prob go with the Ampegs. Should be fairly easy to resell for around the same if you so desired. If you buy a new Mesa the resale will be much less especially on the 2x10.
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Right now I'm in a reggae band. Before it was Meters/Galactic type funk. Before that, rock with my 5 string. Actually the two Ampegs are the PF-210 & PF-115. Each for $250.
 
#12
jwindham said:
I think the Mesa ph210s are round $729 each at sweetwater. Is there a Mesa dealer in your area? Might be worth calling around to see if any stores have them in stock. Most dealers also have a return policy, just in case. Hmm, if you can go play on the Ampeg pf-210he cabs, I think there is a good chance you'll know after a few minutes if they give you the sound your lookn' for. If they don't do it for ya, you may dig the Mesa ph210 if you lean toward 10s in general IMO.
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Those are the standard Powerhouses. I was looking at the Traditional Powerhouses, which are a little more budget friendly.
 
#13
Ah, my mistake. I did try the new trad ph210 once, but I preferred the standard ph210 overall. The trad 210 has a bit softer attack vs the punch of the stand. ph210. If the Ampegs are in good shape, would be a much better bargain. Worth testing out if you can.
 
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#14
pondscum29 said:
Right now I'm in a reggae band. Before it was Meters/Galactic type funk. Before that, rock with my 5 string. Actually the two Ampegs are the PF-210 & PF-115. Each for $250.
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I'd get the Ampegs no question. Mesa PH cabs are great (my favorite) but they excel with more aggressive styles where you might have a kind of grindy clangy sound and want detail and punch. You can go a long way with the player control network (like roll off the tweater) but for non-metal styles I like more vintage voiced cabs.
 
#16
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pondscum29 said:
Any thoughts about mixing the Ampeg 210 & 115? I read on another post that it's a setup Ampeg recommends, but I know conventional wisdom here is to not mix due to phasing issues.
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I'm not usually a fan of mixing but those two together might actually work ok. I think a few folks on here are actually running that combination. I have the PF210. I tried both the PF210 and PF115 out in the store and, to my ears anyway, the 115 had more low end with the 210 being a bit tighter in the lows - which is why I preferred the 210. Both are excellent sounding cabs though, IMO.
 
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#19
Some companies actually take the possibility of their cabs being mixed into consideration when they design them. I like to have them match, but the PF___he cabs do better at mixing than most.
 
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