18SOUND ND1480A
18SOUND (Eighteen Sound) ND1480A — 1.4" / 1.4 inch Compression Driver · Tweeter / HF Driver · Neodymium · Aluminium Dome
3" voice coil · 8 Ω
Part no.: 42A-CHS-KD-18S-0052
Documents
18SOUND ND1480A — Compression Driver
80 W AES · 111 dB Sensitivity · Frequency range 500 Hz – 20000 Hz
Technical data
- Diameter: 1.4 "
- Voice coil: 3 "
- Power handling: 80 W AES
- Sensitivity: 111 dB
- Impedance: 8 Ω
- Magnet: Neodymium
- Weight: 3.1 kg
- Mounting depth: 62 mm
- Frequency range: 500 – 20000 Hz
- Cone material: Aluminum - Pen
- Exit: 35 mm (1.4 in)
- Rec. crossover: 1.0 kHz
Datasheet (PDF) · Manufacturer page
Series: ND · Part no.: 42A-CHS-KD-18S-0052
18Sound ND1480A: 1.4" driver with aluminium dome, 111 dB and 80 W AES
111 dB sensitivity – the 18Sound ND1480A extracts an efficiency from its 3" voice coil and neodymium motor that stands out even in the 1.4" format. The diaphragm is aluminium, impedance is 8 Ω (16 Ω optional), power handling 80 W AES. The operating range starts at 500 Hz and ends at 20,000 Hz; the recommended crossover is 1.0 kHz.
Compared with the titanium version of the same driver, the ND1480A is the tonally softer choice. Aluminium damps diaphragm resonances more strongly, so the upper treble sounds less hard; in return, power handling is slightly lower and the crossover recommendation slightly higher. Eighteen Sound designed it for tops, monitors and installations where tonal character and efficiency matter more than the last watt of continuous power. Weight 3.1 kg, mounting depth 62 mm.
Use and enclosure
Matching 1.4" horns from 18Sound are listed at 42.audio in the Horns & Waveguides category. For a crossover around 1.0 kHz, medium-sized horns are sufficient; if you want to control coverage down into the midrange, go for larger constant-directivity models.
With 80 W AES on a 3" coil the ND1480A has plenty of reserve, but at 111 dB every watt produces a great deal of level. The danger lies less in thermal overload than in low-frequency energy below the crossover. So do not cross over below 1.0 kHz, and use a steep slope; 500 Hz merely describes the start of the operating range. A limiter in the active HF channel costs little effort and saves diaphragms. Passively, calculate the crossover for 8 Ω and plan a substantial attenuation network, because hardly any woofer reaches the sensitivity of this driver.
What to look out for
- 111 dB at 8 Ω: very efficient, level attenuation to the woofer is mandatory.
- Aluminium dome: gentler treble than titanium, 80 W AES power handling.
- Crossover from 1.0 kHz, operating range from 500 Hz: steep high-pass, limiter recommended.
- 3.1 kg, 62 mm mounting depth, 35 mm throat exit: designed for 1.4" horns.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the crossover recommendation higher than for the titanium model?
Aluminium is less stiff and mechanically less robust than titanium. A crossover from 1.0 kHz limits diaphragm excursion and keeps distortion and failure risk low without giving up the tonal advantage of the diaphragm.
ND1480A or ND1480?
The ND1480 with titanium handles more power and may be crossed over lower; the ND1480A with aluminium sounds softer and, at 111 dB, has slightly more sensitivity. For speech, hi-fi horns and monitors the ND1480A is often the more pleasant choice.
Which amplifier fits?
A small, clean channel at 8 Ω. High-pass and limiter matter more than power. The datasheet PDF and driver database at 42.audio provide frequency and impedance response for the crossover design.
At 42.audio you get the 18SOUND ND1480A 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) | 80 |
| Sensitivity (dB) | 111 |
| Frequency from (Hz) | 500 |
| Frequency to (Hz) | 20000 |
| Abmessungen & Korb | |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 1.4 |
| Voice coil (inch) | 3 |
| Mounting depth (mm) | 62 |
| Weight (kg) | 3.1 |