18SOUND ND2080A
18SOUND (Eighteen Sound) ND2080A — 2" / 2 inch Compression Driver · Tweeter / HF Driver · Neodymium · Aluminium Dome
3" voice coil · 8 Ω
Part no.: 42A-CHS-KD-18S-0048
Documents
18SOUND ND2080A — Compression Driver
80 W AES · 111 dB Sensitivity · Frequency range 500 Hz – 20000 Hz
Technical data
- Diameter: 2 "
- Voice coil: 3 "
- Power handling: 80 W AES
- Sensitivity: 111 dB
- Impedance: 8 Ω
- Magnet: Neodymium
- Weight: 3.4 kg
- Mounting depth: 99 mm
- Frequency range: 500 – 20000 Hz
- Cone material: Aluminum - Pen
- Exit: 51 mm (2.0 in)
- Rec. crossover: 0.8 kHz
Datasheet (PDF) · Manufacturer page
Series: ND · Part no.: 42A-CHS-KD-18S-0048
18Sound ND2080A: 2" driver with aluminium diaphragm, 111 dB sensitivity, 3" coil
111 dB at 8 Ω: the 18Sound ND2080A is the most sensitive driver in the 2" family of the ND series. It combines the strong neodymium motor of the ND2080 with an aluminium diaphragm on a 3" voice coil. Horn throat 2", exit 51 mm, mounting depth 99 mm, weight 3.4 kg, power handling 80 W AES, operating range up to 20,000 Hz.
Compared with titanium the aluminium dome is less stiff but better damped. Its resonances are broader and flatter, which makes the midrange between the crossover and the presence region more relaxed. Together with the powerful motor this gives a driver that stays unobtrusive with speech and acoustic music while still bringing the headroom for sound reinforcement. Within the ND series the ND2080A is therefore the choice for users looking for a 2" mid-high driver with high efficiency but without the hardness of a titanium diaphragm.
Use and enclosure
The driver requires a 2" horn. At 18Sound the matching 2" models are found in the manufacturer's horns and waveguides category. Since the ND2080A can be used from 0.8 kHz, a horn with a large mouth that still guides the midrange is worthwhile. On small horns the efficiency remains, but the coverage widens in the lower midrange and the advantage of the 3" diaphragm evaporates.
Cross from 0.8 kHz with a steep filter, active 24 dB/octave, passive at least 12 dB/octave with a somewhat higher corner. The 80 W AES applies above the recommended crossover; when working at 800 Hz, set a limiter on the high-frequency branch. Partners are large woofers in two-way tops, or a midrange unit in three-way systems. The high sensitivity almost always requires attenuation relative to the woofer, as a gain offset in the DSP or an L-pad in a passive network.
What to look out for
- 111 dB at 8 Ω (also 16 Ω): level matching to the woofer is a must.
- 80 W AES with a 3" coil: limiter on the HF branch, do not cross below 0.8 kHz.
- 3.4 kg and 99 mm mounting depth: check horn bracket and rear panel clearance.
- Aluminium diaphragm: damped midrange, band up to 20,000 Hz.
- Neodymium magnet: strong drive at moderate weight for the size.
Frequently asked questions
ND2080A or ND2080, where is the difference?
Same motor, same 3" coil, same dimensions. The ND2080A has an aluminium diaphragm with 111 dB and 80 W AES, the ND2080 a titanium diaphragm with slightly lower sensitivity but higher continuous power handling. Aluminium for a damped midrange, titanium for maximum continuous load and treble extension.
How low can I cross the ND2080A?
The recommendation is 0.8 kHz. With a 24 dB filter right there and a sufficiently large horn the driver covers the entire range above a large woofer. If you want reserve, cross considerably higher.
Which power amplifier suits the ND2080A?
At 111 dB a few watts give high levels; a channel with twice the 80 W AES into 8 Ω is common, always with a limiter. 42.audio provides the datasheet PDF and the driver database for comparison within the ND series.
At 42.audio you get the 18SOUND ND2080A 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 | 2 |
| Voice coil (inch) | 3 |
| Mounting depth (mm) | 99 |
| Weight (kg) | 3.4 |