18SOUND ND2060A
18SOUND (Eighteen Sound) ND2060A — 2" / 2 inch Compression Driver · Tweeter / HF Driver · Neodymium · Aluminium Dome
3" voice coil · 8 Ω
Part no.: 42A-CHS-KD-18S-0049
Documents
18SOUND ND2060A — Compression Driver
80 W AES · 110 dB Sensitivity · Frequency range 500 Hz – 20000 Hz
Technical data
- Diameter: 2 "
- Voice coil: 3 "
- Power handling: 80 W AES
- Sensitivity: 110 dB
- Impedance: 8 Ω
- Magnet: Neodymium
- Weight: 3.2 kg
- Mounting depth: 99 mm
- Frequency range: 500 – 20000 Hz
- Cone material: Aluminum - Pen
- Exit: 50 mm (2.0 in)
- Rec. crossover: 0.8 kHz
Datasheet (PDF) · Manufacturer page
Series: ND · Part no.: 42A-CHS-KD-18S-0049
18Sound ND2060A: 2" compression driver with aluminium diaphragm, 110 dB, 3" coil
Aluminium instead of titanium: the 18Sound ND2060A is the version of the ND2060 with an aluminium diaphragm. Everything else stays the same, meaning a 2" horn throat with 50 mm exit, 3" voice coil, neodymium magnet, 99 mm mounting depth and 3.2 kg weight. Within the ND series it represents the application where a large driver takes over the midrange from 0.8 kHz and is supposed to sound as unobtrusive as possible.
Aluminium has a lower Young's modulus than titanium but higher internal damping. The dome's break-up modes sit slightly lower, yet they are broader and of lower Q. In practice this means less hardness in the upper mids and a treble response that often needs less equalisation. Sensitivity is actually a touch higher than the titanium model at 110 dB into 8 Ω, and power handling is rated at 80 W AES. The operating band ends at 20,000 Hz.
Use and enclosure
For the 2" throat the 18Sound range offers matching models in its horns and waveguides category. The ND2060A benefits from a horn that still loads cleanly in the midrange, because that is where its advantage lies: a 3" diaphragm driver on a sufficiently large horn relieves a large woofer at 800 Hz already and takes it out of the cone break-up region that paper cones show there. The coverage patterns can be compared there directly.
The recommended crossover is 0.8 kHz; do not go lower. With a 24 dB filter right at this limit the 80 W AES power handling remains fully usable. Passively, a 12 dB/octave high-pass works but should then be set somewhat higher. Thanks to 110 dB the driver usually needs attenuation relative to the woofer in a two-way box, which is handled as an L-pad in the crossover or a gain offset in the DSP. For three-way systems with a midrange unit the ND2060A works too, then with a higher crossover and more reserve.
What to look out for
- Impedance 8 Ω or 16 Ω: at 110 dB sensitivity plan for level matching to the woofer.
- 3.2 kg and 99 mm mounting depth: check clearance to the rear panel behind the horn.
- Aluminium diaphragm on a 3" coil: benign midrange, band up to 20,000 Hz.
- 80 W AES: set a limiter, do not cross below 0.8 kHz.
- Neodymium magnet: low weight for the size, no stray-field issues as with ferrite.
Frequently asked questions
ND2060A or ND2060, when is aluminium the choice?
The ND2060A is rated at 110 dB and 80 W AES, the ND2060 is a touch less sensitive but takes more continuous power. If you need maximum continuous load and the last bit of treble reach, take titanium; if you want a calmer midrange without a hard presence region, aluminium serves you better.
What crossover frequency makes sense for the ND2060A?
From 0.8 kHz upwards. At 800 Hz with a steep filter the driver covers the entire range above a large woofer. Crossing considerably higher gains safety for the diaphragm while keeping the midrange quality of the 3" coil.
Which horn fits the ND2060A?
Any 2" horn with the matching bolt pattern, from 18Sound the models in the horns category. For a low crossover the horn should be large enough to still load at 800 Hz. Datasheet PDF and driver database are available at 42.audio.
At 42.audio you get the 18SOUND ND2060A 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) | 110 |
| Frequency from (Hz) | 500 |
| Frequency to (Hz) | 20000 |
| Abmessungen & Korb | |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 2 |
| Voice coil (inch) | 3 |
| Mounting depth (mm) | 99 |
| Weight (kg) | 3.2 |