18 Sound ND2080 – Ring Magnet Neodymium 2-Inch Driver with 22 kGauss Flux Density
The 18 Sound ND2080 2-inch exit high-frequency compression driver has been designed for high-quality sound systems applications — the next tier up from the ND2060 within 18 Sound’s neodymium 2-inch range, sharing the same titanium diaphragm, bent-edge Nomex former, 3-slot phase plug, and copper ring architecture, but built around a fundamentally stronger neodymium ring magnet structure.
The powerful neodymium magnet assembly has been designed to obtain 22 kGauss in the gap for major benefits in transient response — the highest flux density documented on any 2-inch driver across this session, exceeding the ND2060’s 19 kGauss by a genuinely substantial margin. This ring magnet architecture is described distinctly from the ND2060’s “elementary pieces” construction, suggesting a different magnetic geometry approach within 18 Sound’s neodymium 2-inch lineup.
The 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 on its upper bend edge — identical construction philosophy to the ND2060, and the same 30% higher tensile elongation figure for the treated Nomex former versus Kapton documented consistently across 18 Sound’s entire HF range in this session.
Design and Construction of the 18 Sound ND2080
The motor structure, through the precisely coherent phase plug with 3 circumferential slots and copper ring on the pole piece, reduces inductance effect 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 — matching the ND2060’s motor architecture precisely on every detail except the magnet structure itself.
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. Due to the increasing use of high power audio systems at outdoor events or in marine environments, a special treatment is 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 — this treatment is more effective than any other treatment used by other manufacturers, the same strong comparative claim documented across several 18 Sound premium drivers throughout this session.
At 3.4 kg, 131 mm overall diameter, and 99 mm depth, the 18 Sound ND2080 is 200 g heavier and marginally more compact in diameter than the ND2060 (3.2 kg, 132 mm) — a genuinely modest weight penalty for the substantial flux density increase from 19 to 22 kGauss.
Performance and Applications for the 18 Sound ND2080
The 18 Sound ND2080 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 — 1 dB above the ND2060’s 109 dB, matching the ND2060A’s aluminium-PEN sensitivity figure while retaining titanium’s higher 100 W AES / 200 W power handling.
The comparison across 18 Sound’s three closely related 2-inch neodymium drivers — the ND2060 (titanium, 19 kGauss, 109 dB, 200 W), the ND2060A (aluminium-PEN, 19 kGauss, 110 dB, 160 W), and the 18 Sound ND2080 (titanium, 22 kGauss, 110 dB, 200 W) — shows the 18 Sound ND2080 as the genuine best-of-both-worlds option: matching the ND2060A’s higher sensitivity while retaining the titanium ND2060’s full 200 W power handling, at the cost of a marginal 200 g weight increase over either sibling.
For system integrators wanting the highest sensitivity available from 18 Sound’s titanium 2-inch neodymium range without sacrificing power handling, the 18 Sound ND2080’s stronger ring magnet delivers a genuinely superior specification within this closely related driver family.
Conclusion – 18 Sound ND2080 Compression Driver
The 18 Sound ND2080 is 18 Sound’s highest-flux-density 2-inch compression driver documented in this session — a 22 kGauss neodymium ring magnet delivering 110 dB sensitivity with full titanium diaphragm power handling (200 W continuous program), at a marginal weight penalty over the closely related ND2060. Major benefits in transient response, per 18 Sound’s own description, are the direct consequence of this stronger magnetic circuit’s superior control over the titanium dome.
For applications demanding the best combination of sensitivity and power handling within 18 Sound’s compact 2-inch neodymium range, the 18 Sound ND2080 represents the premium option among its closely related siblings.
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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.
