Any 18" currently in production?

[oinkbanana]

Any 18" currently in production?

 

[fuzzy beard]

Ruby makes an 18 fliptops sells them

 

[slawie]

SWR Big Ben.

Manufacturer's Description for SWR Big Ben Bass Speaker Cabinet (400 Watts, 1x18 in.)
Big Ben is a carpeted, 400-watt 1x18 subwoofer that can be used as a stand-alone powerhouse or as part of a thundering bi-amp system. Its clever design includes a chrome stamped steel, vibration-free grill and a rear tube port. Carpeted 1x18 sub woofer. Very fast for an 18 in.

Features:
Rear Tube Port

Spring Loaded Rubber Grip Handles

Black Ozite Carpeting with Stack Lock Corners

Chrome Stamped Steel Vibration-Free Grill

(2) 1/4 in. Input Jack

(2) Speakon Input Jack

 

[wave rider]

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=wr=

 

[majortoby]

A TON of companies make 18" drivers. As far as speaker cabs loaded with 18's specifically for bass guitar, I believe that's a smaller group. Although, based on how I understand the specs, it seems like the Peavey lo-rider 18 would be awesome as the low freq component of a 2 or 3-way system. Xmax of 9.6mm and Xlim of 18mm (!) would really endow you with some COMMANDING low-end content. But, I guess I'll ask the favorite TB question concerning 18" drivers....What do you feel you need a driver of that size for?

 

[RNV]

Carvin still does.

 

[Jibudo]

Trace Elliot 1818

 

[Bass Unique]

... But, I guess I'll ask the favorite TB question concerning 18" drivers....What do you feel you need a driver of that size for?

One big driver (for low end only) has a large surface area and also as drivers get bigger in diameter, the X-max also tends to increase. If you work out the volume displacement at X-max, it can be seen that a good 18 (such as Precision devices 1851) will outperform most pairs of 15's and would probably work in a cabinet smaller than a pair of 15's.

There is a misconception regarding directivity with speakers which says that larger speakers tend to beam the sound forward (so you hear less "off-axis"). This is true when you compare a single 18" to a 10" for example where the 10 will have better dispersion above a given frequency (based on 1/4wavelength of that frequency). Bear in mind that at very low frequencies (sub 200 Hz or lower) then it does not really matter as the sound is still omni-directional.

The main part of the misconception which people often do not take in to account is that when you group speakers together (eg 4 x10") you are effectively making a larger speaker with less dispersion. This works well for stadium PA speakers as it tends to throw the sound further forward). Two speakers placed horizontally next to each other will beam the sound at 90 degrees (vertical plane) and vice versa up to the new speakers size. Therefore a group of 4 in traditional 410 format will probably have just as bad a dispersion as an 18.

On the plus side, for smaller speakers, the physical depth of the driver cone tends to be less creating a flatter surface wherease the 18 will be deeper. There are also multiple motor units and typically less moving mass per speaker increasing higher frequency efficiency. However, multiple dustcaps emitting higher frequencies creates a world of problems with the sound field with peaks and nulls in various positions.

Use an 18 for what it is good for and cross it over below 250 Hz and use a big efficient mid (6 minimum, I tend to go for an 8 or a 10 for pro audio and add a quality tweeter for above 3 kHz).

 

[BassmanPaul]

Any 18" currently in production?

Carvin.com if you are in North America.