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18SOUND 15W500

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18SOUND (Eighteen Sound) 15W500 — 15" / 15 inch · Woofer/Midrange (WM) · Subwoofer / Bass · Ferrite
2.5" voice coil · 8 Ω
Part no.: 42A-CHS-TT-18S-0022

209.00 € 209.0 EUR 209.00 €

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  • 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)
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  • Fs (Hz)
  • Qms
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  • Qts
  • Vas (l)
  • Xmax (mm)
  • BL (Tm)
  • Mms (kg)
  • Sd (m²)

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18SOUND 15W500 — 15" · Woofer

350 W AES · 100.5 dB Sensitivity · Frequency range 50 Hz – 4500 Hz

Technical data

  • Diameter: 15 "
  • Voice coil: 2.5 "
  • Power handling: 350 W AES
  • Sensitivity: 100.5 dB
  • Impedance: 8 Ω
  • Magnet: Ferrite
  • Weight: 4.3 kg
  • Mounting depth: 161 mm
  • Frequency range: 50 – 4500 Hz

Datasheet (PDF) · Manufacturer page

Series: W · Part no.: 42A-CHS-TT-18S-0022

18Sound 15W500: 15" ferrite bass-midrange driver with 100.5 dB for open and large boxes

The 15W500 from 18Sound's W series is a 15" driver with ferrite magnet, 2.5" voice coil and a sensitivity of 100.5 dB that is remarkable for its class. With only 55 g of moving mass and 4.3 kg total weight it is the lightest ferrite driver in this overview, and with a stated range of 50 Hz to 4500 Hz it is a true bass-midrange unit.

The parameters differ clearly from pro subwoofers: Qts 0.52, Qes 0.55, Fs 50 Hz and Vas 189 l with only 4 mm linear excursion. The motor is moderate at BL 12.6 Tm, which together with the light cone explains the high efficiency and the soft, high Qts. Power handling is 350 W AES, inductance 1.04 mH, mounting depth 161 mm.

Use and enclosure

A Qts of 0.52 and an EBP of 91 move the application away from small vented boxes toward large sealed volumes or open baffles. The guide value for a sealed box is about 223 l with fc 68 Hz – a figure that points to guitar cabinets, open baffles or large vintage-style enclosures where the suspension takes control. For vented loading the TSP give no meaningful guide value; the enclosure calculator at 42.audio shows you how the driver behaves in different volumes.

In a 2-way system with a horn the 15W500 can run far into the midrange thanks to its 4500 Hz upper limit and 100.5 dB, which makes it attractive for high-efficiency designs with small amplifiers. Mind the small excursion of 4 mm: deep bass at high level is not its job, and a high-pass is advisable in loud applications.

What to look out for

  • 100.5 dB sensitivity with 55 g of cone mass: interesting for valve and low-power amplifiers.
  • Qts 0.52: sealed around 223 l as a guide value or open baffle, not a small vented box.
  • Xmax only 4 mm: not a subwoofer.
  • 350 W AES into 8 Ω (Re 5.2 Ω), 2.5" voice coil.
  • Ferrite magnet, 4.3 kg, mounting depth 161 mm.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 15W500 a guitar speaker or a PA driver?

By the numbers it sits in between: 100.5 dB, Qts 0.52 and 4 mm excursion suit guitar and bass guitar cabinets as well as high-efficiency hi-fi designs. For PA bass at high level the W range offers the 15W700 or 15W750 with more excursion.

Which enclosure suits the 15W500?

Sealed with a guide value around 223 l at fc 68 Hz, or an open baffle. Small vented boxes do not work cleanly with Qts 0.52; the enclosure calculator shows you why the alignment then peaks.

How much amplifier power does the driver need?

Very little: with 100.5 dB a small amplifier is enough for room level, and the 350 W AES rating sets the upper limit. More important than power is limiting excursion at low frequencies.

18Sound 15W500: 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 15W500 is a 15-inch woofer with ferrite magnet from the W 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 15W500 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 fs50 Hz
Total Q Qts0.52
Electrical Q Qes0.55
Mechanical Q Qms9.64
Equivalent volume Vas189.0 l
Moving mass Mms55.0 g
Cone area Sd850 cm²
Linear excursion Xmax4 mm
Force factor BL12.6 Tm
DC resistance Re5.2 Ω
Voice coil inductance Le1.04 mH

Enclosure suggestion

The EBP of 91 is in the intermediate range — either works; sealed plays tighter, bass reflex deeper and louder. EBP = fs / Qes = 50 / 0.55

Sealed (Qtc 0.707)

Enclosure volume Vb
222.7 l
System resonance Fc
68 Hz
Cut-off frequency F3
68 Hz

Bass reflex (QB3 after Small)

Enclosure volume Vb
436.8 l
Tuning frequency Fb
39 Hz
Cut-off frequency F3
35 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 Low Frequency
Series W
Magnet Ferrite
Impedance (Ω) 8
Power handling (W) 350
Sensitivity (dB) 100.5
Frequency from (Hz) 50
Frequency to (Hz) 4500
Abmessungen & Korb
Diameter 15
Voice coil (inch) 2.5
Mounting depth (mm) 161
Weight (kg) 4.3
Thiele-Small-Parameter
Re (Ω) 5.2
Le (mH) 1.04
Fs (Hz) 50
Qms 9.64
Qes 0.55
Qts 0.52
Vas (l) 189
Xmax (mm) 4
BL (Tm) 12.6
Mms (kg) 0.055
Sd (m²) 0.085