LF
Sub-woofer
18"
181NPW
Code: DR-18-006-4R-B2-C0001
Woofer/18inch/Neo/Paper/1500W/4ohm
Key Features
- 5.3” diameter voice coil, high power handling
- Improved coil and magnet air-ventilation system, high temp. Capable voice coil winding
- Carbon fiber reinforced paper cone, triple silicone spider
Quick Specs
Impedance
4 Ω
Program Power
3000 W
Sensitivity
94.80 dB
Fs
28.00 Hz
Magnet
Neodymium
Voice Coil
134.6 mm
Design Notes
The 181NPW is a high efficiency, (95 dB 1watt / 1 meter) 18-inch woofer with incredibly linear frequency response characteristics, extreme high power handling capability while generating low harmonic distortion artifacts. The 181NPW uses a lightweight carbon fiber loaded cone assembly along with a high excursion triple roll constant geometry surround. This combination provides remarkable strength, high efficiency and a peak to peak maximum excursion of 30.5mm.
Power Handling
At the core of the 181NPW is it’s voice coil technology featuring a composite Polyimide former material capable of withstanding peak temperatures in excess of 350C, well beyond the thermal requirements of modern professional audio systems. The 181NPW delivers incredible performance.
REDCATT has implemented a triple layer/silicone spider design to ensure long term shape memory, consistency and diminish anomalies associated with spider deterioration.
Power Handling
At the core of the 181NPW is it’s voice coil technology featuring a composite Polyimide former material capable of withstanding peak temperatures in excess of 350C, well beyond the thermal requirements of modern professional audio systems. The 181NPW delivers incredible performance.
REDCATT has implemented a triple layer/silicone spider design to ensure long term shape memory, consistency and diminish anomalies associated with spider deterioration.
Specifications
General Specs
Nominal Diameter
18"
Rated Impedance
4 Ohm
Magnet
Neodymium
Basket Material
Aluminum
Power Handling
AES Power
1500 W
Continuous Power
3000 W
Peak Power
6000 W
Voice Coil
Diameter
134.6 mm
Winding Wire
Copper
Former
Glass Fiber
Winding Height
32.8 mm
T/S Parameters
Resonant Frequency (Fs)
28.00 Hz
Re
3.20 \u2126
Qes
0.250
Qms
15.80
Qts
0.250
Vas
167.70 liters
Sd
1225.40 cm\u00B2
Mms
391.20 grams
Rms
4.35
Cms
0.0800
Bl
29.70 T\u00B7m
Le
1.760 mH
Sensitivity
94.80 dB
Design Details
Surround Material
fabric
Cone/Dome Material
Paper CF
Spider
Nomex
T-Plate
15 mm
Xmax (peak)
8.9 mm
Xmech
23.9 mm
Overall Diameter
468.00 mm
Bolt Circle Diameter
442.00 mm
Baffle Cutout Dia.
426.00 mm
Mounting Holes
8
Depth (flange to rear)
210.00 mm
Net Weight
13.90 kg
Ordering Codes
Product Code
DR-18-006-4R-B2-C0001
Downloads
Frequency Response & Impedance
2D Drawing
Technical Summary
The 181NPWX4-099 is an 18-inch professional woofer and sub-woofer driver rated at 1500 W AES (3000 W continuous) into a nominal 4-ohm impedance, designed for touring, large-venue installation, and high-SPL bass reinforcement systems. The driver features a 5.3-inch (134.6 mm) voice coil wound on a Polyimide composite former rated to 350 degC, enabling sustained operation at continuous power levels that would thermally compromise standard glass fiber or paper formers. The motor-suspension design is optimized to maintain consistent performance at high drive levels, with controlled excursion and reduced thermal compression during long-term operation.
The driver is intended for use with high-power amplification of approx. 1500 W AES (3000 W continuous) into 4 ohms, with a recommended high-pass filter in the 24-35 Hz range depending on alignment. DSP control with excursion limiting and thermal protection is essential at sustained drive levels near the continuous rating. The 4-ohm impedance is suited to high-current solid-state amplification in direct or bridged configurations; parallel wiring of two drivers presents a 2-ohm load for compatible amplifiers.
The 181NPWX4-099 is intended for single and multi-driver bass reflex enclosures in professional touring and fixed installation applications, including concert sub arrays, club and venue subwoofer systems, cinema low-frequency systems, and large-format PA bass sections where the combination of high sensitivity (94.8 dB), extreme power handling, and very low Qts motor control define the performance envelope.
The driver is intended for use with high-power amplification of approx. 1500 W AES (3000 W continuous) into 4 ohms, with a recommended high-pass filter in the 24-35 Hz range depending on alignment. DSP control with excursion limiting and thermal protection is essential at sustained drive levels near the continuous rating. The 4-ohm impedance is suited to high-current solid-state amplification in direct or bridged configurations; parallel wiring of two drivers presents a 2-ohm load for compatible amplifiers.
The 181NPWX4-099 is intended for single and multi-driver bass reflex enclosures in professional touring and fixed installation applications, including concert sub arrays, club and venue subwoofer systems, cinema low-frequency systems, and large-format PA bass sections where the combination of high sensitivity (94.8 dB), extreme power handling, and very low Qts motor control define the performance envelope.
Recommended enclosure volumes are simulated results. For best enclosure volumes and tuning, we recommend secondary simulation and careful evaluation. Several rounds of samples and fine-tuning may be required for optimal results.
Enclosure Recommendations
Recommended enclosure alignments (bass reflex): - 200 liters tuned to 26 Hz: high output, strong mid-bass, reduced excursion; -3 dB approx. 22 Hz, HP filter 25 Hz - 235 liters tuned to 23 Hz: balanced response, general-purpose (recommended); -3 dB approx. 20 Hz, HP filter 22 Hz - 275 liters tuned to 20 Hz: extended low-frequency, requires HP filter protection; -3 dB approx. 17 Hz, HP filter 20 Hz
Frequently Asked Questions
- - 5.3” diameter voice coil, high power handling
- - Improved coil and magnet air-ventilation system, high temp. Capable voice coil winding
- - Carbon fiber reinforced paper cone, triple silicone spider
Recommended enclosure alignments (bass reflex): - 200 liters tuned to 26 Hz: high output, strong mid-bass, reduced excursion; -3 dB approx. 22 Hz, HP filter 25 Hz - 235 liters tuned to 23 Hz: balanced response, general-purpose (recommended); -3 dB approx. 20 Hz, HP filter 22 Hz - 275 liters tuned to 20 Hz: extended low-frequency, requires HP filter protection; -3 dB approx. 17 Hz, HP filter 20 Hz
High-excursion vented subwoofer, touring bass bin; weight-critical installs
AES Power: 1500 W,
Continuous: 3000 W,
Peak: 6000 W.
Sensitivity: 94.80 dB (1W/1m).
