18SOUND 15LW2400
18SOUND (Eighteen Sound) 15LW2400 — 15" / 15 inch · Woofer · Subwoofer / Bass · Ferrite Magnet
4" voice coil · 8 Ω
Part no.: 42A-CHS-TT-18S-0013
Documents
18SOUND 15LW2400 — 15" · Woofer
1200 W AES · 97 dB Sensitivity · Frequency range 40 Hz – 2200 Hz
Technical data
- Diameter: 15 "
- Voice coil: 4 "
- Power handling: 1200 W AES
- Sensitivity: 97 dB
- Impedance: 8 Ω
- Magnet: Ferrite
- Weight: 11.2 kg
- Mounting depth: 181 mm
- Frequency range: 40 – 2200 Hz
Datasheet (PDF) · Manufacturer page
Series: LW · Part no.: 42A-CHS-TT-18S-0013
18Sound 15LW2400: 15" woofer with 1,200 W AES, 10 mm Xmax and 11.2 kg
The 15LW2400 is the highest-rated ferrite 15" in the 18Sound LW series: 1,200 W AES on a 4" voice coil, 10 mm Xmax and a force factor of 24 Tm. At the same time it weighs 11.2 kg, less than the other ferrite models of the range, which for a ferrite magnet suggests a more efficiently designed motor structure. Sensitivity is 97 dB and the rated band spans 40 to 2,200 Hz.
The Thiele-Small parameters show a slightly different profile from the other LW models: Fs 40 Hz, Qts 0.3, Vas 131 l, Qms 4.75 and a voice coil inductance of only 1.25 mH. The somewhat higher Qts and the extra excursion make the 15LW2400 the more flexible driver, reaching lower in vented boxes without giving up compactness. An EBP of 125 confirms the orientation towards vented and horn enclosures.
Use and enclosure
On paper the 15LW2400 lands in a vented enclosure of about 62 l tuned to 50 Hz, with a lower cut-off around 56 Hz. That is a sound compromise between extension and cabinet size for dual-15" subwoofers or as the bass section of larger 3-way cabinets. The sealed alignment of 29 l with a system resonance around 94 Hz only works as a kick-bass in multi-way systems. As always, these are approximations from classic formulas; do the actual design with the enclosure calculator at 42.audio.
The 10 mm Xmax combined with 1,200 W AES means the driver delivers noticeably more displacement in sub duty than its series siblings. If you use it up to the 2,200 Hz upper limit you benefit from the low inductance, but place the crossover well below that. Mounting depth is 181 mm, noticeably more than the other LW models.
What to look out for
- 1,200 W AES and 10 mm Xmax: the most power handling and excursion among the LW 15" drivers.
- Mounting depth 181 mm: deeper than the other LW 15" drivers, so allow for it in the cabinet.
- Re 5.3 Ω, 8 Ω nominal, also as a 4 Ω version: size the amplifier for parallel loads.
- Le 1.25 mH: relatively low, giving clean behaviour into the lower midrange.
- 11.2 kg despite the ferrite magnet: comparatively light for a ferrite 15" with this rating.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 15LW2400 a subwoofer or a bass driver?
Both. With 40 Hz Fs, Qts 0.3 and 10 mm Xmax it works as a subwoofer in a vented box around 62 l, and with 1.25 mH inductance and a 2,200 Hz upper limit it also serves as the bass driver in 2- and 3-way cabinets.
How does the 15LW2400 compare with the 18Sound 15W700 or the Beyma 15WR400?
All three sit at Qts 0.3. The 15W700 with 38 Hz Fs and 217 l Vas, and the Beyma 15WR400 with 36 Hz and 236 l, each have a larger Vas and want correspondingly larger boxes. The 15LW2400 with 131 l Vas stays more compact and brings 1,200 W AES.
Which amplifier for the 15LW2400?
For one driver at 8 Ω, an amplifier in the order of the 1,200 W AES rating; with two drivers in parallel at 4 Ω, correspondingly more. An excursion-based limiter is the best protection with 10 mm Xmax.
At 42.audio you get the 18SOUND 15LW2400 with datasheet PDF, all key data in the driver database and the enclosure calculator. More drivers from this manufacturer: Atlas 18Sound.
Thiele-Small parameters
| Nominal impedance | 8 Ω |
|---|---|
| Resonance frequency fs | 40 Hz |
| Total Q Qts | 0.3 |
| Electrical Q Qes | 0.32 |
| Mechanical Q Qms | 4.75 |
| Equivalent volume Vas | 131.0 l |
| Moving mass Mms | 138.0 g |
| Cone area Sd | 850 cm² |
| Linear excursion Xmax | 10 mm |
| Force factor BL | 24 Tm |
| DC resistance Re | 5.3 Ω |
| Voice coil inductance Le | 1.25 mH |
Enclosure suggestion
The EBP of 125 suggests a bass-reflex enclosure. EBP = fs / Qes = 40 / 0.32
Sealed (Qtc 0.707)
- Enclosure volume Vb
- 28.8 l
- System resonance Fc
- 94 Hz
- Cut-off frequency F3
- 94 Hz
Bass reflex (QB3 after Small)recommended
- Enclosure volume Vb
- 49.3 l
- Tuning frequency Fb
- 54 Hz
- Cut-off frequency F3
- 61 Hz
Vb is the required net internal volume, Fb the tuning frequency of the reflex port and F3 the frequency at which the level has dropped by 3 dB. Calculated approximation after Small. A starting point for simulation, not a finished build plan.
Comparable drivers
Same size, same type, Qts within ±30 %.
- FaitalPRO 15HP1030fs 40 Hz · Qts 0.3 · Vas 88.3 l · in the database
- B&C Speakers 15CLA76fs 40 Hz · Qts 0.3 · Vas 176 l · in the database
- 18 Sound 15W700fs 38 Hz · Qts 0.3 · Vas 217 l · in the shop
- FaitalPRO 15FX560fs 38 Hz · Qts 0.3 · Vas 159 l · in the database
- FaitalPRO 15XL1400fs 38 Hz · Qts 0.3 · Vas 84.3 l · in the database
- Beyma 15WR400fs 36 Hz · Qts 0.3 · Vas 236 l · in the shop
Specifications
| Allgemein | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | 18SOUND |
| Category | Low Frequency |
| Series | LW |
| Magnet | Ferrite |
| Impedance (Ω) | 8 |
| Power handling (W) | 1200 |
| Sensitivity (dB) | 97 |
| Frequency from (Hz) | 40 |
| Frequency to (Hz) | 2200 |
| Abmessungen & Korb | |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 15 |
| Voice coil (inch) | 4 |
| Mounting depth (mm) | 181 |
| Weight (kg) | 11.2 |
| Thiele-Small-Parameter | |
|---|---|
| Re (Ω) | 5.3 |
| Le (mH) | 1.25 |
| Fs (Hz) | 40 |
| Qms | 4.75 |
| Qes | 0.32 |
| Qts | 0.3 |
| Vas (l) | 131 |
| Xmax (mm) | 10 |
| BL (Tm) | 24 |
| Mms (kg) | 0.138 |
| Sd (m²) | 0.085 |