Martin Audio DLS1847 - equivalent B&C driver?

I believe that what you are planning to do is correct.

Here is a list of Martin DLS drivers:

https://ibb.co/RDXDdTZ

Several companies online list the B&C 18TBX100 as a direct replacement for the DLS 1847.

I couldn't find any visual differences between them, although as Martin do not list any T/S parameters for the DLS 1847 it is impossible to be totally certain.

I have found that a cost effective alternative to a spacer ring (plywood ones are really expensive, especially if you are replacing lots of drivers) is to use suitable size mains cable glued into position against the inside edge of the rebated baffle.

The cable is "crushed" against the driver to make an air tight seal, using a sine generator set to say 30Hz as you go along, to confirm chassis alignment.

Maybe Andy Kos on here has more information on the B&C driver as it is listed on Blue Aram as as an "original (or virtually identical part) for the DLS 1847" whatever that means.

APC321 wrote: I believe that what you are planning to do is correct. Here is a list of Martin DLS drivers: https://ibb.co/RDXDdTZ Several companies online list the B&C 18TBX100 as a direct replacement for the DLS 1847. I couldn't find any visual differences between them, although as Martin do not list any T/S parameters for the DLS 1847 it is impossible to be totally certain. I have found that a cost effective alternative to a spacer ring (plywood ones are really expensive, especially if you are replacing lots of drivers) is to use suitable size mains cable glued into position against the inside edge of the rebated baffle. The cable is "crushed" against the driver to make an air tight seal, using a sine generator set to say 30Hz as you go along, to confirm chassis alignment. Maybe Andy Kos on here has more information on the B&C driver as it is listed on Blue Aram as as an "original (or virtually identical part) for the DLS 1847" whatever that means.

Many thanks APC321, this is very helpful for a cost effective solution.

yep, the only info I could get from Martin Audio about the driver was what they had on the datasheet:

What was going to cost me £10,519.20 plus delivery is going to cost £4357.03 inc. delivery if this is indeed the right driver, thats a good result. Even the spacer rings were £43.20 each, I was going to look into making my own.

The things that come to mind, however, when looking at this compared to the 18tbx100 specs, is that the WSXa datasheet lists sensitivity as 105db and the tbx100 has its sensivity at 97db, would this be because one is measured loaded in the horn and one is not? because thats quite a big difference..

Theres also the power rating differences, the WSXa is listed as 1000w AES 4000w peak, and the tbx100 is listed at 1200w , with a continuous program power capacity of 2400w

both are 4inch coil, high excursion w. waterproof cones, and look identical...

I take it the two companies are just stating their power ratings in different ways? or is there something that jumps out as odd there..

Ill probably drop Andy a message as you say, its getting late now.
Thanks again

The Original WSX had an RCF 18P300 (often also seen with RCF L18S800 but not as good) then the later upgraded WSXa model has the 18TBX100 with a spacer ring.

The main reason for the difference in power ratings is one is free air/test bench rating and the other is loaded into the horn. As folded horns build up heat in the closed chamber that means that drivers go pop earlier than if they have good ventilation around them.

I thought that I would gather some technical information on the B&C 18TBX100 and the Void V18-1000 for a comparison:

                  B&C 18TBX100                         Void V18-1000

Voice coil dia.      4 inch                                5 inch

fs                   34 Hz                                 34.5 Hz

Total Q              0.35                                  0.22

BL                   25.5 T-M                             34.9 T-M

Xmax                 9.0mm                                 10.5mm

Sensitivity          97dB                                  98dB

Suspension          Triple roll / double spider      Double roll / double spider

Cone               Ribbed - waterproof both sides       Non-ribbed

Overall dia.        460mm                                  463mm

Depth               209mm                                  187mm

Net weight          13.0 kg                                17.8 kg

Single unit price   £260.00                                £410.00
Blue Aran inc.vat

Availability        In stock                               In stock
Blue Aran                     

Just seen this (albeit too late as have already gone ahead with B&C 18tbx100), and would have considered the V18 but wanted to keep the cabs to an original martin audio specification.

Also, the void v18s have gone absolutely crazy in price these days! and would have been double the outlay.

If I could of picked up a load for £150 resale value like the old days then I may have considered it, but bearing in mind with the bulk buy discount I managed to get a considerable amount off of the sale price on bluearan for tbx, I think I made the right decision, with the amount of boxes we are talking here (18!)

As I get older the system gets used less and less and is now more of a very expensive hobby that sometimes earns me money, so the kind of expenditure it would have taken for 18 new void drivers , which would of most likely detracted value from the box rather than added, wasnt really an option.

Edited by Requiem - 18 October 2023 at 3:45am

Hi Guys,