18 Sound ND1085 – Successor to the ND1060 with Stronger Ring Magnet and Higher Sensitivity
The 18 Sound ND1085 1-inch exit neodymium high-frequency compression driver has been designed for situations where the highest quality is required — this is the driver the ND1060 explicitly names as its own alternative/current model, confirming the 18 Sound ND1085 as the formal successor within 18 Sound’s treated polyethylene 1-inch neodymium range.
The diaphragm is made with a proprietary treated Polyethylene material (PEN). Thanks to its superior dimensional stability up to 160°C, PEN is able to maintain constant behaviour during its whole working life. Moreover, thanks to its high value of elasticity modulus — 50% higher than Mylar and 100% higher than polyimide — it is capable of superior transient and intermodulation distortion response. This matches the ND1060’s exact diaphragm technology and quantified elasticity claims, confirming genuine continuity between predecessor and successor on the core diaphragm material.
The powerful neodymium magnet assembly has been designed to obtain 20 kGauss in the gap, giving major benefits in transient response — a genuinely stronger ring magnet than the ND1060’s elementary-piece 18 kGauss architecture, and the highest flux density documented on any 1-inch driver across this entire session.
Design and Construction of the 18 Sound ND1085
Equipped with proprietary Phase Plug architecture, the 18 Sound ND1085 has been designed to give high-level manufacturing consistency and a smooth coherent wavefront at the horn entrance across the whole working frequency range. The phase plug’s short openings and high flare rate value assure low distortion, showing remarkable improvements in mid-high frequency reproduction.
The flat suspension shape has been designed to maintain low stiffness and low mid-band distortion and response. The edge-wound aluminium voice coil, wound on custom treated Nomex, completes the diaphragm assembly. Nomex shows a 30% higher value of tensile elongation at a working operative temperature (200°C) when compared to Kapton, and this proprietary treated former material is also suitable for use in high-moisture-content environments.
A copper ring on the pole piece reduces inductance above 10 kHz, improving phase and impedance linearisation. The custom designed O-ring creates a tight seal between the plate and the cover, assuring air chamber loading. Excellent heat dissipation and thermal exchange are guaranteed by the direct contact between the magnetic structure and the aluminium cover, which leads to a lower power compression value.
The ability to perform properly under inclement weather conditions is a key feature of 18 Sound’s philosophy. A special treatment has been applied to the magnet and the top and back plates of the magnetic structure, making the driver more resistant to the corrosive effects of salts and oxidisation.
At 1.1 kg, 92 mm overall diameter, and 53 mm depth, the 18 Sound ND1085 is genuinely more compact in diameter than the ND1060, ND1070, and ND1075’s shared 98 mm footprint, despite carrying the stronger ring magnet — confirming a more efficient magnetic circuit design in this successor generation.
Performance and Applications for the 18 Sound ND1085
The 18 Sound ND1085 delivers 109 dB sensitivity across a 1.6 – 20 kHz frequency range, with a recommended crossover of 1.6 kHz using a 12 dB/octave or steeper high-pass filter — 1 dB above the ND1060’s 108 dB, from a marginally more compact chassis.
The 40 W AES / 80 W continuous power handling matches the ND1060 exactly. For applications where the highest quality is required — 18 Sound’s own explicit positioning for this driver — the 18 Sound ND1085’s stronger 20 kGauss ring magnet and improved sensitivity deliver a genuine generational advance over the predecessor it replaces.
Conclusion – 18 Sound ND1085 Compression Driver
The 18 Sound ND1085 is the formally named successor to the ND1060, closing the succession loop documented earlier in this session. The stronger 20 kGauss ring magnet — the highest flux density of any 1-inch driver covered — delivers 1 dB more sensitivity and major transient response benefits from a genuinely more compact 92 mm chassis, while retaining the same proven PEN diaphragm technology and quantified elasticity advantages as its predecessor.
This closes out an exceptionally comprehensive session’s exploration of 18 Sound’s complete 1-inch compression driver family — spanning ferrite and neodymium construction across titanium, treated polyethylene, PEN, titanium-PEN, and phenolic diaphragm materials, and completing this session’s full review of 18 Sound’s entire compression driver catalogue from 0.75-inch through 3-inch throat sizes.
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About 18 Sound
18 Sound products are proudly made in Reggio Emilia, Italy, combining advanced technology with Italian craftsmanship. Known for their high-performance professional audio components, 18 Sound is a trusted name in the global audio industry. Their state-of-the-art manufacturing and strict quality control ensure exceptional reliability and sound clarity. 18 Sound products are designed to meet the demands of speaker builders and audio professionals, 18 Sound offers premium products with outstanding value and performance worldwide.
