18SOUND ND1460
18SOUND (Eighteen Sound) ND1460 — 1.4" / 1.4 inch Compression Driver · Tweeter / HF Driver · Neodymium · Titanium Dome
3" voice coil · 8 Ω
Part no.: 42A-CHS-KD-18S-0036
Documents
18SOUND ND1460 — Compression Driver
100 W AES · 109 dB Sensitivity · Frequency range 500 Hz – 20000 Hz
Technical data
- Diameter: 1.4 "
- Voice coil: 3 "
- Power handling: 100 W AES
- Sensitivity: 109 dB
- Impedance: 8 Ω
- Magnet: Neodymium
- Weight: 2.9 kg
- Mounting depth: 62 mm
- Frequency range: 500 – 20000 Hz
- Cone material: Titanium
- Exit: 35 mm (1.4 in)
- Rec. crossover: 0.8 kHz
Datasheet (PDF) · Manufacturer page
Series: ND · Part no.: 42A-CHS-KD-18S-0036
18Sound ND1460: 1.4" compression driver with 3" coil, 100 W AES and 109 dB
A 3" voice coil on a 1.4" throat – that is the classic recipe for a compression driver that takes over the entire mid-high range in two-way tops. The 18Sound ND1460 implements it with a neodymium magnet and a titanium dome: 109 dB sensitivity, 100 W AES power handling, 8 Ω (a 16 Ω variant also exists), operating range from 500 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
At 2.9 kg and 62 mm mounting depth it is no lightweight, but reasonably compact for the class of 3" coil drivers with neodymium motors. Eighteen Sound designed it for tops, stage monitors and installations in which large woofers are meant to hand over as early as the upper midrange. The recommended crossover is 800 Hz – a figure that exploits the low crossover capability of the large coil and diaphragm.
Use and enclosure
The 35 mm throat exit corresponds to the 1.4" standard. Matching horns from 18Sound – for tops usually with controlled coverage, for arrays with a narrow vertical pattern – are listed at 42.audio in the Horns & Waveguides category. A horn that loads down to the crossover frequency is mandatory with a crossover around 800 Hz; short waveguides waste potential here.
800 Hz is the recommendation, 500 Hz the lower operating limit. For continuous operation at the full 100 W AES you should not go below the recommendation and should cross over at 24 dB/octave. The titanium dome copes with high levels but, like any metal diaphragm, is sensitive to low-frequency overload – a limiter in the active HF channel is the cheapest insurance. For level matching to the woofer, 109 dB calls for substantial attenuation, passively via L-pad, actively via DSP.
What to look out for
- 3" voice coil, 100 W AES: high thermal reserve for continuous operation.
- Crossover from 800 Hz, operating range from 500 Hz: choose a horn of sufficient length.
- 2.9 kg, 62 mm mounting depth: support the driver at the horn and allow cabinet depth.
- 8 Ω, 109 dB: standard load, level attenuation to the woofer required.
- Titanium dome: extended treble up to 20,000 Hz, steep high-pass recommended.
Frequently asked questions
How does the ND1460 differ from the ND1460A?
The ND1460A uses an aluminium dome instead of titanium. Aluminium is slightly softer and more strongly damped, which gives a gentler top end at somewhat lower power handling. The ND1460 with titanium is the choice for maximum reserve in continuous operation.
Which woofer suits the ND1460?
A large cone that plays cleanly and without break-up up to 800 Hz. That is the typical two-way approach for tops; the driver database at 42.audio helps with the selection.
Active or passive crossover?
Both are possible. Active with DSP lets you set crossover, delay and limiter precisely; passive at 8 Ω and a low crossover requires large components and a solid attenuation network. The datasheet PDF provides the curves for this.
At 42.audio you get the 18SOUND ND1460 with datasheet PDF, all key data in the driver database. More drivers from this manufacturer: Atlas 18Sound.
Specifications
| Allgemein | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | 18SOUND |
| Category | Compression Driver |
| Series | ND |
| Magnet | Neodymium |
| Impedance (Ω) | 8 |
| Power handling (W) | 100 |
| Sensitivity (dB) | 109 |
| Frequency from (Hz) | 500 |
| Frequency to (Hz) | 20000 |
| Abmessungen & Korb | |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 1.4 |
| Voice coil (inch) | 3 |
| Mounting depth (mm) | 62 |
| Weight (kg) | 2.9 |