18 Sound ND1460 – Larger-Coil Neodymium 1.4-Inch Driver Matching Ferrite HD1480T Power Handling
The 18 Sound ND1460 1.4-inch exit neodymium high-frequency compression driver has been designed for use in high-quality sound systems — a genuinely distinct sibling from the ND1424BT documented immediately prior in this session, sharing the same throat diameter and elementary-piece neodymium magnetic architecture, but built around a substantially larger 75 mm coil rather than the ND1424BT’s 61 mm.
The pure titanium diaphragm is produced in-house and has been developed to assure unmatched transient response. The diaphragm assembly is made by joining the former directly to the titanium dome using its upper bend edge — the same bent-edge construction philosophy documented consistently across 18 Sound’s entire HF range.
By carefully using elementary pieces of neodymium magnets, 18 Sound engineers have developed a powerful neodymium magnet assembly capable of reaching 19 kGauss in the gap in compact and lightweight structures — matching the ND1424BT’s flux density figure exactly, but here driving a larger coil for genuinely different power handling capability.
Design and Construction of the 18 Sound ND1460
The motor structure, through the precisely coherent phase plug with 3 circumferential slots and copper ring on the pole piece, reduces inductance effects and distortion. Four top plate air ducts have been designed to act as a loading chamber for the diaphragm, implementing mid band distortion and response figures. 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 achieved using a special treatment applied to the magnet and the top and back plates of the magnetic structure, which increases resistance to the corrosive effects of salts and oxidisation — described as more effective than any other treatment in use today, the consistent strong comparative claim documented across 18 Sound’s premium HF range.
At 2.9 kg, 132 mm overall diameter, and 62 mm depth, the 18 Sound ND1460 is 1.3 kg heavier than the ND1424BT (1.6 kg) — the direct cost of the substantially larger 75 mm coil, though still considerably lighter than the ferrite HD1480T’s 5.3 kg at matching power handling.
Performance and Applications for the 18 Sound ND1460
The 18 Sound ND1460 delivers 109 dB sensitivity across a 0.5 – 20 kHz frequency range, with a recommended crossover of 0.8 kHz using a 12 dB/octave or steeper high-pass filter — matching the ND1424BT’s sensitivity exactly, but with a lower crossover point and wider bandwidth thanks to the larger coil’s different acoustic characteristics.
The 100 W AES / 200 W continuous power handling matches the ferrite HD1480T’s figures precisely — confirming the 18 Sound ND1460 delivers equivalent thermal capacity to that ferrite driver from a neodymium platform weighing 2.4 kg less (2.9 vs 5.3 kg).
Available in both 8 and 16 Ω, the 18 Sound ND1460 provides system design flexibility. For applications requiring the HD1480T’s power handling class but with neodymium’s substantial weight advantage, the 18 Sound ND1460 delivers a genuinely compelling alternative.
Conclusion – 18 Sound ND1460 Compression Driver
The 18 Sound ND1460 is the larger-coil neodymium sibling within 18 Sound’s 1.4-inch elementary-piece magnetic architecture family, matching the ferrite HD1480T’s 200 W power handling from a chassis weighing less than half as much. Combined with the ND1424BT’s lighter, smaller-coil alternative, these two neodymium drivers give system integrators genuine flexibility between minimum weight and maximum power handling within 18 Sound’s 1.4-inch neodymium range.
For applications requiring substantial power handling with neodymium’s weight advantage over the equivalent ferrite platform, the 18 Sound ND1460 delivers a genuinely strong specification.
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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.
