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18SOUND 15MB700

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18SOUND (Eighteen Sound) 15MB700 — 15" / 15 inch · Midrange with Lower Midrange (ML) · Midrange · Ferrite
3" voice coil · 8 Ω
Part no.: 42A-CHS-MT-18S-0002

239.00 € 239.0 EUR 239.00 €

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  • Series
  • Magnet
  • Impedance (Ω)
  • Power handling (W)
  • Sensitivity (dB)
  • Frequency from (Hz)
  • Frequency to (Hz)
  • Diameter
  • Voice coil (inch)
  • Mounting depth (mm)
  • Weight (kg)
  • Re (Ω)
  • Le (mH)
  • Fs (Hz)
  • Qms
  • Qes
  • Qts
  • Vas (l)
  • Xmax (mm)
  • BL (Tm)
  • Mms (kg)
  • Sd (m²)

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18SOUND 15MB700 — 15" · Midrange Driver

400 W AES · 103 dB Sensitivity · Frequency range 45 Hz – 4300 Hz

Technical data

  • Diameter: 15 "
  • Voice coil: 3 "
  • Power handling: 400 W AES
  • Sensitivity: 103 dB
  • Impedance: 8 Ω
  • Magnet: Ferrite
  • Weight: 8.3 kg
  • Mounting depth: 167 mm
  • Frequency range: 45 – 4300 Hz

Datasheet (PDF) · Manufacturer page

Series: MB · Part no.: 42A-CHS-MT-18S-0002

18Sound 15MB700: 15" mid-woofer with 103 dB sensitivity for two-way tops

Efficiency is the discipline of the 15MB700: 103 dB sensitivity from a 15" ferrite driver in the MB series by 18Sound (Eighteen Sound), paired with 400 W AES on a 3" voice coil. In practice this means an amplifier of modest power already delivers levels that other drivers need twice the wattage for – and the voice coil stays correspondingly cool.

The small-signal parameters explain the concept: Fs 42 Hz, Qts 0.29, a large Vas of 202 l and a motor with BL 17.6 Tm driving 73 g of moving mass. The suspension is compliant, the cone comparatively light, and the operating range spans 45 Hz to 4,300 Hz. With 5.5 mm Xmax it is no excursion champion, but solidly equipped for a 15" mid-woofer with lower-mid duties. Weight is 8.3 kg, mounting depth 167 mm.

Use and enclosure

The 15MB700 is the classic choice for a two-way top with a 15" and a horn, the format that has worked on stages and in rental inventories for a long time. The bass reflex guideline suggests 87 l tuned to 54 Hz with f3 around 62 Hz. Because of the high Vas the volume is larger than for stiffer 15" drivers, but in return the cabinet plays balanced down into the lower midrange without equalization. The EBP of 135 indicates that vented or horn loading is preferable to a sealed box. As a midrange in a three-way system, the driver goes into a sealed midrange chamber, for which the guideline gives about 41 l with a system resonance of 102 Hz. The enclosure calculator on 42.audio takes care of the exact alignment.

The crossover to the high-frequency horn sits sensibly well below the upper limit of 4,300 Hz. Since the driver is very loud at 103 dB, the compression driver should be in the same league – 42.audio lists suitable horns and drivers in the 18Sound horns and waveguides category.

What to look out for

  • 8 Ω nominal, Re 5 Ω: with 103 dB you do not need big amplifiers, 400 W AES is the ceiling.
  • Vas 202 l: expect larger enclosures, 87 l in the reflex guideline.
  • 8.3 kg and 167 mm mounting depth – the ferrite motor needs depth inside the cabinet.
  • Xmax 5.5 mm: set a high-pass below the tuning frequency, especially when running without a subwoofer.
  • Le 1.2 mH: the crossover must account for the rising impedance above the midrange.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the 15MB700 louder than the 15MB1000 despite less power handling?

The 103 dB sensitivity comes from the lighter cone and the compliant suspension with Vas 202 l. The 15MB1000 has a stiffer design with Fs 48 Hz, Qts 0.31 and Vas 132.5 l and compensates its lower sensitivity with higher power handling. For maximum level both count; for efficiency per watt the 15MB700 wins.

What enclosure do I need for a two-way top?

The guideline is 87 l bass reflex tuned to 54 Hz. That gives the cabinet an f3 around 62 Hz and, combined with subwoofers, a strong kick region. Smaller volumes are possible but cost extension.

How does the 15MB700 compare to the Celestion TF1530?

The TF1530 is very close with Fs 42 Hz and Qts 0.28, but has a smaller Vas of 162.2 l against the 202 l of the 18Sound. It gets by with somewhat less enclosure volume; both drivers are in the 42.audio database for comparison.

18Sound 15MB700: manufacturer, spellings and classification

18Sound, 18 Sound and Eighteensound all refer to the same manufacturer: Eighteen Sound S.r.l. of Reggio Emilia, Italy. The 15MB700 is a 15-inch midrange driver with ferrite magnet from the MB series, available from 42.audio, 18Sound dealer in Germany, with datasheet and full specifications in the driver database.

At 42.audio you get the 18SOUND 15MB700 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 impedance8 Ω
Resonance frequency fs42 Hz
Total Q Qts0.29
Electrical Q Qes0.31
Mechanical Q Qms4.6
Equivalent volume Vas202.0 l
Moving mass Mms73.0 g
Cone area Sd850 cm²
Linear excursion Xmax5.5 mm
Force factor BL17.6 Tm
DC resistance Re5 Ω
Voice coil inductance Le1.2 mH

Enclosure suggestion

The EBP of 135 suggests a bass-reflex enclosure. EBP = fs / Qes = 42 / 0.31

Sealed (Qtc 0.707)

Enclosure volume Vb
40.9 l
System resonance Fc
102 Hz
Cut-off frequency F3
102 Hz

Bass reflex (QB3 after Small)recommended

Enclosure volume Vb
68.0 l
Tuning frequency Fb
59 Hz
Cut-off frequency F3
68 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 %.

Specifications

Allgemein
Manufacturer 18SOUND
Category Mid Frequency
Series MB
Magnet Ferrite
Impedance (Ω) 8
Power handling (W) 400
Sensitivity (dB) 103
Frequency from (Hz) 45
Frequency to (Hz) 4300
Abmessungen & Korb
Diameter 15
Voice coil (inch) 3
Mounting depth (mm) 167
Weight (kg) 8.3
Thiele-Small-Parameter
Re (Ω) 5
Le (mH) 1.2
Fs (Hz) 42
Qms 4.6
Qes 0.31
Qts 0.29
Vas (l) 202
Xmax (mm) 5.5
BL (Tm) 17.6
Mms (kg) 0.073
Sd (m²) 0.085