18SOUND NSD2080N
18SOUND (Eighteen Sound) NSD2080N — 2" / 2 inch Compression Driver · Tweeter / HF Driver · Neodymium · NSD-Dome
3" voice coil · 8/16 Ω
Part no.: 42A-CHS-KD-18S-0017
18Sound NSD2080N: 2" Compression Driver with 3" Coil and NSD Diaphragm
The 18Sound NSD2080N is the 2" member of the NSD series with a 3" voice coil and neodymium motor. It is offered in 8 and 16 Ω versions. A 2" horn throat means a large throat, a large diaphragm and a low loading frequency. This is the format that moves the crossover lower in classic two-way boxes with a big woofer than any 1" or 1.4" driver can, and that controls dispersion over long distances in large horns.
In this series NSD stands for a titanium diaphragm with a nitride coating. The coating stiffens the surface without adding meaningful mass and shifts the metal's break-up resonances upward. In practice you hear a calmer, less harsh top end, which makes the NSD2080N interesting for applications where a 2" driver must be not just loud but also comfortable over hours.
Use and enclosure
Typical applications are two-way boxes with a large woofer, mid-high units in three-way systems and horn systems for long-throw sound reinforcement. In a 2" driver the 3" coil is the design choice for thermal capacity with comparatively low moving mass; it can resolve higher than the heavier 4" systems but does not work quite as low. Set the crossover using the datasheet and the horn, always with a clear margin above the lower limit of the response and with a steep slope (24 dB/octave), so the diaphragm never enters the excursion region.
As a 2" horn, 42.audio offers the 18Sound XR2064C. Further options are in the 18Sound Horns & Waveguides category; the only requirement is a 2" flange. The complete data of the NSD2080N is stored in the 42.audio driver database, where you can compare it directly against other 2" drivers.
What to look out for
- 2" horn throat: matches the 18Sound XR2064C, do not use a 1.4" horn.
- 3" voice coil: lighter than 4" systems, high resolution with good power handling.
- Impedance 8 or 16 Ω to choose from, depending on system design.
- Neodymium magnet: low weight for flown or mobile systems.
- NSD diaphragm of nitride-coated titanium for a calm top end.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose the NSD2080N over a 1.4" driver?
When you want to cross low or use a large 2" horn for long-throw coverage. The bigger throat loads the diaphragm lower and the larger diaphragm works below the region where 1.4" drivers reach their limit.
Which horn fits the NSD2080N?
A horn with a 2" throat. At 42.audio the 18Sound XR2064C is the matching model. Make sure the horn's loading frequency lies below your planned crossover, otherwise you waste the driver's low-frequency capability.
8 or 16 Ω: which is better?
In active systems with one driver per channel, 8 Ω is the simpler choice. 16 Ω pays off when several drivers run in parallel or in passive crossovers where the level match to the woofer should need less attenuation.
18Sound NSD2080N: manufacturer, spellings and classification
18Sound, 18 Sound and Eighteensound all refer to the same manufacturer: Eighteen Sound S.r.l. of Reggio Emilia, Italy. The NSD2080N is a compression driver with neodymium magnet from the NSD series, available from 42.audio, 18Sound dealer in Germany, with datasheet and full specifications in the driver database.
At 42.audio you get the 18SOUND NSD2080N with all key data in the driver database. More drivers from this manufacturer: Atlas 18Sound.
Specifications
| Allgemein | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | 18SOUND |
| Category | Compression Driver |
| Series | NSD |
| Magnet | Neodymium |
| Impedance (Ω) | 8/16 |
| Abmessungen & Korb | |
|---|---|
| Voice coil (inch) | 3 |