18SOUND 8NTLW2500

18Sound 8NTLW2500: 8" midrange with lower midrange and dual-gap motor with 2x2.5" voice coil

Within 18Sound's NTLW series, the 8NTLW2500 is the model with the larger coil: instead of 2x2", a 2x2.5" voice coil works in the dual-gap neodymium motor. Two separate windings run in two air gaps, giving the motor more wire in the field and dissipating heat across two cooling surfaces. The larger coil diameter raises thermal power handling and the stiffness of the former without a disproportionate increase in moving mass.

It is a midrange with lower midrange capability, meaning an 8" driver that does not start at a few hundred hertz but takes on the transition to the subwoofer. It is offered at 8 or 16 Ω, which keeps the choice open between a single driver at 8 Ω and two parallel 16 Ω drivers on one channel. The neodymium magnet keeps weight low, which can be decisive in flown systems.

Use and enclosure

Typical use is in line-array elements and compact tops, where one or two 8" drivers cover the range between subwoofer and compression driver. Whether sealed midrange chamber or vented box depends on the parameter set; no datasheet PDF is currently on file for the 8NTLW2500, so calculate with the values from our driver database in the enclosure calculator before building. For orientation: the 8NMB750 from the same manufacturer family sits at Fs 91 Hz, Qts 0.37 and Vas 7.3 l, a driver for very small volumes; the Beyma 8MI100 from our shop at Fs 90 Hz, Qts 0.45 and Vas 12 l.

The high-frequency side is handled by a compression driver; matching horns and waveguides from 18Sound are in the manufacturer's category. Important with two drivers per channel: choose the 16 Ω version, otherwise the amplifier ends up at 4 Ω.

What to look out for

• 8 or 16 Ω: choose the version by number of drivers per amplifier channel.
• 2x2.5" dual-gap voice coil: more thermal reserve than the 2x2" version.
• Neodymium motor: low weight, attractive for flown systems.
• No datasheet PDF on file: check TSP via the 42.audio driver database.

Frequently asked questions

18Sound 8NTLW2500: 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 8NTLW2500 is a 8-inch midrange driver with neodymium magnet from the NTLW 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 8NTLW2500 with all key data in the driver database and the enclosure calculator. More drivers from this manufacturer: Atlas 18Sound.