18SOUND ND2060
18SOUND (Eighteen Sound) ND2060 — 2" / 2 inch Compression Driver · Tweeter / HF Driver · Neodymium · Titanium Dome
3" voice coil · 8 Ω
Part no.: 42A-CHS-KD-18S-0030
Documents
18SOUND ND2060 — Compression Driver
100 W AES · 109 dB Sensitivity · Frequency range 500 Hz – 20000 Hz
Technical data
- Diameter: 2 "
- Voice coil: 3 "
- Power handling: 100 W AES
- Sensitivity: 109 dB
- Impedance: 8 Ω
- Magnet: Neodymium
- Weight: 3.2 kg
- Mounting depth: 99 mm
- Frequency range: 500 – 20000 Hz
- Cone material: Titanium
- Exit: 50 mm (2.0 in)
- Rec. crossover: 0.8 kHz
Datasheet (PDF) · Manufacturer page
Series: ND · Part no.: 42A-CHS-KD-18S-0030
18Sound ND2060: 2" compression driver with 3" titanium diaphragm, 109 dB and 100 W AES
The 18Sound ND2060 is a 2" compression driver from the ND series with neodymium magnet, titanium diaphragm and 3" voice coil. It belongs to the class of mid-high drivers that take over everything above the low-mid woofer in large two-way tops and in three-way systems. The exit measures 50 mm, the mounting depth 99 mm, and the weight is 3.2 kg.
With 109 dB sensitivity at 8 Ω (also available as 16 Ω) and 100 W AES power handling, the ND2060 is built for headroom. The 3" coil brings a large thermal mass and correspondingly high continuous rating, and the low recommended crossover of 0.8 kHz shows what the driver is made for: covering a wide midrange band without the help of a separate midrange unit. The titanium dome ensures the band reaches 20,000 Hz, whereas the sister models with aluminium diaphragms lean towards smoothness in the mids.
Use and enclosure
The 2" throat calls for a 2" horn. From the 18Sound range the 2" models in the horns and waveguides category are the candidates, among them long-throw horns that control the driver's directivity down into the midrange. One thing matters when choosing: a driver that is to be crossed at 800 Hz needs a horn with a sufficiently large mouth, otherwise it loses pattern control well above the crossover frequency.
The crossover should sit at 800 Hz or higher, with 24 dB/octave active or at least 12 dB/octave passive. Using the driver considerably higher gains thermal and mechanical reserve but gives away the midrange advantage of the large diaphragm. Typical partners are large woofers in two-way tops or a midrange unit in three-way systems. At 100 W AES and 109 dB the maximum level is well above that of a 1" driver, which makes the ND2060 a natural fit for medium and larger sound reinforcement.
What to look out for
- 8 Ω, alternatively 16 Ω: 16 Ω pays off when two drivers share one amplifier channel.
- Mounting depth 99 mm and 3.2 kg: allow for cabinet depth behind the horn and size the bracket accordingly.
- 3" voice coil with 100 W AES: high thermal reserve for continuous operation.
- Recommended crossover 0.8 kHz, use steep filters.
- Titanium diaphragm: band up to 20,000 Hz, smooth the presence region with DSP if needed.
Frequently asked questions
What sets the ND2060 apart from the ND2060A?
Both are 2" drivers with a 3" coil, neodymium and identical dimensions. The ND2060 carries a titanium diaphragm that reaches higher and takes more continuous load; the ND2060A uses an aluminium diaphragm that sounds somewhat softer in the mids. For full-range treble up to 20,000 Hz the titanium driver is the pick.
Can I use the ND2060 in a two-way box with a large woofer?
Yes, that is exactly what the combination of 3" coil and 0.8 kHz crossover recommendation is meant for. The woofer must play cleanly up to 800 Hz though, and the horn should be large enough to still load at that frequency. A 2" long-throw horn from 18Sound is a suitable candidate.
How much amplifier power does the ND2060 need?
At 109 dB sensitivity the demand is small; high-pass and limiter are what count. A channel with about twice the 100 W AES rating into 8 Ω is common, as long as the crossover is not below 800 Hz. Datasheet PDF and driver database are available at 42.audio.
At 42.audio you get the 18SOUND ND2060 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 | 2 |
| Voice coil (inch) | 3 |
| Mounting depth (mm) | 99 |
| Weight (kg) | 3.2 |