18 Sound ND2060A – Aluminium-PEN Diaphragm Variant of the ND2060 with 110 dB Sensitivity
The 18 Sound ND2060A 2-inch exit neodymium HF compression driver has been designed for high-quality sound systems applications — sharing the exact same neodymium motor architecture, physical chassis, and 3-slot phase plug as the ND2060 documented immediately prior in this session, but built around a fundamentally different diaphragm material: an aluminium dome rather than titanium.
The ND2060A diaphragm assembly is composed of an aluminium dome sandwiched to a proprietary treated PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) suspension. This design maintains low resonance and lowers the minimum crossover point value to 800 Hz. The composite diaphragm assembly is made by an aluminium dome strongly joined to the PEN suspension in order to assure unmatched transient response. The lower density of the aluminium and PEN structure permits higher levels of sensitivity, especially in the mid-high frequency range — the direct engineering explanation for why the 18 Sound ND2060A achieves 110 dB versus the titanium ND2060’s 109 dB, despite sharing the identical 19 kGauss neodymium motor.
The bended former is joined in a sandwich configuration between the PEN suspension and the aluminium dome, assuring extended frequency energy transfer for improved response linearity and unparalleled reliability — the same fundamental bent-edge former joint philosophy documented across 18 Sound’s titanium diaphragm drivers, here applied to the aluminium-PEN composite structure.
Design and Construction of the 18 Sound ND2060A
Through careful use of elementary pieces of neodymium magnets, 18 Sound engineers have developed a powerful neodymium magnet assembly able to reach 19 kGauss in the gap in a compact and lightweight structure — identical magnetic architecture to the ND2060. 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 were 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 — matching the ND2060’s construction precisely on every motor and chassis detail.
Excellent heat dissipation and thermal exchange are guaranteed by the direct contact between the magnetic structure and the aluminium cover, allowing a lower power compression value to be obtained. The special coating applied to the magnet and the top and back plates of the magnetic structure makes the 18 Sound ND2060A compression driver resistant to the corrosive effects of salts and oxidisation — the same environmental protection documented on the ND2060.
At 3.2 kg, 132 mm overall diameter, and 99 mm depth, the 18 Sound ND2060A matches the ND2060’s physical footprint exactly — confirming these two drivers are genuinely interchangeable diaphragm variants of the same fundamental chassis and motor platform.
Performance and Applications for the 18 Sound ND2060A
The 18 Sound ND2060A delivers 110 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. The 80 W AES / 160 W continuous program power handling is notably lower than the titanium ND2060’s 100 W AES / 200 W — the lighter aluminium-PEN diaphragm assembly trades some thermal and mechanical power capacity for its sensitivity advantage.
The comparison to the ND2060 crystallises a clean, direct trade-off: the aluminium-PEN 18 Sound ND2060A delivers 1 dB more sensitivity, particularly in the mid-high frequency range, at the cost of 40 W less continuous program power handling than the titanium ND2060. For applications where maximum sensitivity and PEN’s characteristic smooth, low-distortion mid-band behaviour matter more than absolute power ceiling, the aluminium-PEN variant is the stronger choice; for applications demanding maximum sustained power handling, the titanium ND2060 remains the more robust option.
Available in both 8 and 16 Ω, the 18 Sound ND2060A provides the same system design flexibility documented on the ND2060.
Conclusion – 18 Sound ND2060A Compression Driver
The 18 Sound ND2060A is the aluminium-PEN diaphragm sibling of the ND2060, sharing an identical 19 kGauss neodymium motor, chassis, and phase plug, but trading titanium’s power handling for the aluminium-PEN composite’s superior sensitivity and mid-high frequency performance. At 110 dB, this is 1 dB more sensitive than its titanium counterpart, from the same compact 3.2 kg package.
For system integrators choosing between 18 Sound’s two ND2060-platform diaphragm options, the 18 Sound ND2060A delivers the sensitivity-focused choice, while the standard ND2060 delivers the power-handling-focused alternative from the identical physical footprint.
VIEW MORE 18 Sound PRODUCTS HERE.
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.
