FaitalPRO 18XL1800

http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/faitalpro_introduces_18xl1800_high-excursion_neodymium_cone_woofer/

Hmm, very high Q. It will require a massive chamber.

Did anybody actually read the press release? It's intended explicitly for infra purposes, below 40Hz, with traditional subs using their other drivers running up for there.

They also state it won't work in horns well, and is more for reflex, transmission lines or tapped horn purposes.

toastyghost wrote: Did anybody actually read the press release? It's intended explicitly for infra purposes, below 40Hz, with traditional subs using their other drivers running up for there. They also state it won't work in horns well, and is more for reflex, transmission lines or tapped horn purposes.

Correct. I saw the first few samples of that in November and had few words about it ;)

MarjanM wrote: Elliot Thompson wrote: MarjanM wrote: Hmm, very high Q. It will require a massive chamber. The Q is not huge compared to their 18 XL 1600. The XL 1800 will more than likely be classed as their best 18-inch driver for the regional touring market using reflex enclosures. Best Regards, Yes it is bigger then XL1600.   I have tested that one years ago when i was choosing the right 18 inch for my subs. All i can say is their spec are quite dubious. Other 18inch will similar xmax but quite lower declared sensitivity killed it badly. Also sounded kinda floppy (if that is the right expression when the magnet is not keeping the cone tightly under control). Some other issues with it are still unresolved and they are adamant about their design flaw regarding the tinsel leads.

The differential of the QTS of XL 1600 vs XL 1800 is only 0.04  (0.36 vs 0.4)

The difference of the VAS is 6.9 cubic ft vs 6.56 cubic ft (XL 1600 vs XL 1800)

The difference in fs is 32 Hz vs 29 Hz (XL 1600 vs XL 1800)

The magnet does keep control of the driver it just allows the speaker to move freely when playing lower frequencies (35 Hz and below) and not force it to stop like drivers offering a QTS of 0.27 and below residing on an 18 inch chassis. Not everyone wants bass to sound like hammer hitting a nail into a wall.

The tinsel leads may have been resolved with this new driver. Only time will tell. Historically, there were other companies that faced tinsel lead issues and rectified the problem. We can only wait and see if this new driver will offer the same issues as the XL 1600 or not.

xmax can be measured anyway the manufacture feels fit. There is no standard on how xmax is measured. However, the XL 1800 offers a 45 mm winding depth whereas the XL 1600 offers 31.3 mm winding depth. So while the XL 1600 and XL 1800 are very close, the true separation lies in the winding depth of both drivers.

Best Regards,

Honestly, this tinsel lead issue on the XL1600 seems a bit overblown or maybe from an older unit - I've used many, many of these drivers in the real world with a serious amount of power going into them (full pelt off a K20 into 2 drivers per channel, often!) and not had any issues whatsoever, no dead drivers, no snapped tinsels, nowt.