18SOUND 18LW2600
18SOUND (Eighteen Sound) 18LW2600 — 18" / 18 inch · Woofer · Subwoofer / Bass · Ferrite Magnet
4" voice coil · 8 Ω
Part no.: 42A-CHS-TT-18S-0005
Documents
18SOUND 18LW2600 — 18" · Woofer
1500 W AES · 96.8 dB Sensitivity · Frequency range 30 Hz – 800 Hz
Technical data
- Diameter: 18 "
- Voice coil: 4 "
- Power handling: 1500 W AES
- Sensitivity: 96.8 dB
- Impedance: 8 Ω
- Magnet: Ferrite
- Weight: 16.1 kg
- Mounting depth: 231 mm
- Frequency range: 30 – 800 Hz
Datasheet (PDF) · Manufacturer page
Series: LW · Part no.: 42A-CHS-TT-18S-0005
18Sound 18LW2600: 18" subwoofer driver with 1,500 W AES, 14.8 mm Xmax and BL 31 Tm
The 18Sound 18LW2600's stated bandwidth ends at 800 Hz, and that tells you everything: this 18" driver from the LW series is a pure subwoofer unit, not a full-range base. The ferrite motor delivers 31 Tm, the 4" voice coil handles 1,500 W AES, and the cone moves 14.8 mm linearly. The moving mass of 303 g and the high inductance of 3.42 mH are the flip side of this design; they pull sensitivity down to 96.8 dB and limit the usable range at the top, but neither matters in a sub.
The Thiele-Small parameters fit the picture: Fs 31 Hz, Qts 0.29, Qms 11.7, Vas 187 l. The high Qms indicates a suspension with low mechanical losses, so damping comes almost entirely from the motor. In the database the B&C 18SW115 (Qts 0.3, Vas 187 l) and the FaitalPRO 18FX600 follow a similar path. At 16.1 kg and 231 mm mounting depth the 18LW2600 is the heaviest and deepest driver of the LW series stocked by 42.audio.
Use and enclosure
An EBP of 103 points towards bass reflex. The guideline from the parameters is a box of around 80 l net volume, tuned to 40 Hz, with a lower cut-off f3 near 46 Hz. For an 18" with this power rating that is compact, which makes the 18LW2600 interesting for touring subs and stacked systems where cabinet volume means transport cost. The 14.8 mm Xmax allows the alignment to be stretched lower with DSP equalisation without immediately hitting the mechanical limit. Sealed, the guideline would be 38 l with a 76 Hz resonance, which gives up extension. Do the exact design with the enclosure calculator at 42.audio.
For a sub of this kind the crossover to the tops sits at the lower end of the stated range; 800 Hz is the absolute ceiling, not the recommendation. At 1,500 W a high-pass below tuning and a limiter are mandatory.
What to look out for
- 8 Ω, Re 4.9 Ω: amplifier channels with around 1,500 W into 8 Ω use the AES rating fully.
- Xmax 14.8 mm and BL 31 Tm: lots of excursion under tight control, built for high sub levels.
- 16.1 kg and 231 mm mounting depth: the heaviest driver of the series, build the cabinet accordingly.
- Le 3.42 mH and range up to 800 Hz: pure sub, not for full-range boxes.
- Vented guideline 80 l: compact for an 18", extendable downwards with DSP.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the 18LW2600 as the bass in a full-range box?
I would advise against it. The range ends at 800 Hz, and the 3.42 mH inductance together with 303 g Mms make the output fall away in the upper bass. For full-range boxes the 18LW1400 with its much lower inductance is the better choice; the 18LW2600 is a sub driver.
How does the 18LW2600 differ from the B&C 18SW115?
The parameters are almost identical: Fs 31 Hz versus 32 Hz, Qts 0.29 versus 0.3, Vas 187 l on both. Both target compact high-power subs. Compare Xmax, power handling and mounting dimensions in both datasheets.
What amplifier power is appropriate?
Around 1,500 W into 8 Ω per driver, with a limiter. Sensitivity of 96.8 dB is slightly lower than on the lighter LW models, but the 18LW2600 converts the power into 14.8 mm of excursion. A high-pass below the tuning protects the coil.
At 42.audio you get the 18SOUND 18LW2600 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 | 31 Hz |
| Total Q Qts | 0.29 |
| Electrical Q Qes | 0.3 |
| Mechanical Q Qms | 11.7 |
| Equivalent volume Vas | 187.0 l |
| Moving mass Mms | 303.0 g |
| Cone area Sd | 1,225 cm² |
| Linear excursion Xmax | 14.8 mm |
| Force factor BL | 31 Tm |
| DC resistance Re | 4.9 Ω |
| Voice coil inductance Le | 3.42 mH |
Enclosure suggestion
The EBP of 103 suggests a bass-reflex enclosure. EBP = fs / Qes = 31 / 0.3
Sealed (Qtc 0.707)
- Enclosure volume Vb
- 37.8 l
- System resonance Fc
- 76 Hz
- Cut-off frequency F3
- 76 Hz
Bass reflex (QB3 after Small)recommended
- Enclosure volume Vb
- 62.9 l
- Tuning frequency Fb
- 43 Hz
- Cut-off frequency F3
- 50 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 %.
- 18 Sound 18LW1400fs 31 Hz · Qts 0.29 · Vas 297 l · in the database
- FaitalPRO 18FH510fs 30 Hz · Qts 0.29 · Vas 411.9 l · in the database
- FaitalPRO 18FH500fs 28 Hz · Qts 0.29 · Vas 456.7 l · in the database
- FaitalPRO 18FX600fs 32 Hz · Qts 0.3 · Vas 257.3 l · in the database
- B&C Speakers 18SW115fs 32 Hz · Qts 0.3 · Vas 187 l · in the database
- 18 Sound 18NTLW5000fs 32 Hz · Qts 0.3 · Vas 165 l · in the database
Specifications
| Allgemein | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | 18SOUND |
| Category | Low Frequency |
| Series | LW |
| Magnet | Ferrite |
| Impedance (Ω) | 8 |
| Power handling (W) | 1500 |
| Sensitivity (dB) | 96.8 |
| Frequency from (Hz) | 30 |
| Frequency to (Hz) | 800 |
| Abmessungen & Korb | |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 18 |
| Voice coil (inch) | 4 |
| Mounting depth (mm) | 231 |
| Weight (kg) | 16.1 |
| Thiele-Small-Parameter | |
|---|---|
| Re (Ω) | 4.9 |
| Le (mH) | 3.42 |
| Fs (Hz) | 31 |
| Qms | 11.7 |
| Qes | 0.3 |
| Qts | 0.29 |
| Vas (l) | 187 |
| Xmax (mm) | 14.8 |
| BL (Tm) | 31 |
| Mms (kg) | 0.303 |
| Sd (m²) | 0.1225 |