Are there any benefits of getting a head over a combo?

[deanproxy]

I have noticed that the HT-1RH is at a very similar price to the HT-1 combo. Given that you get an 8" speaker included in the combo and you can add a cabinet to it, is there a reason to get the head over the entire combo? I'm looking to get the HT-408 cabinet with whichever amp I get...

[LonePhantom]

The benefit is you can pick what every cabinet you want. You are not restricted to the little 8" speaker in the combo. I'd personally go for the head with a nice 1x12" cab with a Celestion Vintage 30.

[deanproxy]

The benefit is you can pick what every cabinet you want. You are not restricted to the little 8" speaker in the combo. I'd personally go for the head with a nice 1x12" cab with a Celestion Vintage 30.

Isn't that true of the combo too though? The HT-1 combo has a 4-16 ohm speaker output. So they both appear to allow you to attach a cab?

[I Wanna Rock]

the beauty of a combo is that you have a little compact amp to practice with, and then when you need more you can plug in a 4x12 cab and scare the neighbors.

[IM4Tone]

the beauty of a combo is that you have a little compact amp to practice with, and then when you need more you can plug in a 4x12 cab and scare the neighbors.

Oh yeah!

Actually, I dislike the sound of small speakers and have grown to favor heads although I own and use both. If you are, or turn into a gearhead, you can buy three cabs (1X12, 2X12, and 4X12) then buy all the heads that strike your interest as you become affected by GAS. What a huge savings in money!
P.S.-my nearest neighbor is 1/2 mile away!

[Uffingdon]

Yep I'd go for the Combo, it can do all the Head can do and more!

[BLACKJAC]

Combo man here also! You got the 8" speaker plus you also have the luxury of going from a 4 to 16 ohm load! I feel it is a very sharp looking combo as well! It looks classy and expensive!

[MadDogE134]

myself i decided on the combo because it is a head essentially AND you also have the 8" speaker for use when needed. and the 8" driver don't sound half bad. i know it LOOKs better to have just a head but i am more practical... i don't care what my stuff looks like... it is how it sounds that counts!

[kinkynoah]

I just bought a HT-1R head with matching HT-408 cab.

I'm having trouble with the head at the moment - no sound whatsoever, and it looks like I may have to take it back to the dealer. I'm considering picking up the HT-1R combo instead of another head, as they're identically priced. I'd keep the cab and plug the combo into it for bedroom purposes. However, I'd have something to take outside if the opportunity ever arose.

In this situation, is there really no advantage of the head over the combo?

[ronnie robinson]

Probably not in this situation but the main reasons for choosing a head and Cab are ;-

1) size and weight - if you want to use a 4x12 then its obvious your best off with a head but also a lot of 2x12 Combos are very big and heavy
2) Ability to choose different Cabs for different situations - for example you might choose an open back 2x12 Cab for a Pop gig or a closed back 4x12 for a Rock gig.
3) Ditto above for the Head - I use different Amp heads for different gigs sometimes depending on what music Im playing.
4) Some believe because the valves in the head are not next to the vibrating speakers this gives the head more durability and makes them more reliable
5) Looks - a Head and 4x12 sure look fantastic!

But In the end it really boils down to personal choice.