Thank you again for the responses… Looked into Ashdown, but since a cab + amp are my main concern and my love for Hartke pushed me away from that, TC, Peavey, and Orange. My practice amp is a combo HD50, so I know I’m already a fan of their equipment sound and build quality.
That leads me to my final choice (still not sure how I missed the LX Hartke series! Awesome that you brought it up) is a LX8500 head and a 2x10 500 watt cab, both Hartke brand of course. Figure I can add a single 12 or 15 at 300 watts down the road if my group ever finds our way into larger venues.
Ordered them last night from Sweetwater and should be here Monday! Can’t wait is easily an understatement, haha.