18 Sound XD110 – Integrated Phenolic Driver with Elliptical Constant Directivity Horn
The 18 Sound XD110 is an HF unit suitable for compact size two and three-way lightweight systems. Unlike every driver documented in this session’s 1-inch coverage, the 18 Sound XD110 with its Elliptical Constant Directivity Horn is a permanently integrated driver-and-horn assembly, designed for linear and extended response over a wide frequency range from 1.5 kHz to 18 kHz — sharing the same phenolic diaphragm and phase plug philosophy documented on the standalone HD110, but with the horn built directly into the product rather than sold as a separate component.
The phenolic diaphragm assembly, with its 1-inch voice coil, is capable of handling temperatures up to 250°C — matching the HD110’s exact thermal rating. Computer Aided Finite Element Analysis and extensive testing were used to obtain the phase plug shape, made in high-pressure injection-molded polypropylene foam, designed to assure maximum strength — again matching the HD110’s construction philosophy precisely.
The horn is made by high-pressure die-cast polyurethane foam, and is designed to minimise resonances — the specific horn construction material and philosophy that distinguishes this integrated assembly from a standalone driver requiring a separately sourced horn.
Design and Construction of the 18 Sound XD110
Final result is a smooth coherent wavefront in the horn entrance, high thermal stability, and manufacturing consistency — the same phase plug engineering outcome documented on the HD110.
The 18 Sound XD110 horn maintains nominal 60° Horizontal × 50° Vertical pattern control, providing consistent on-axis and off-axis frequency response from 2 kHz up to 16 kHz in the horizontal plane and from 2.5 kHz to 16 kHz in the vertical plane. Horn directivity is constant from 2.5 kHz — a genuinely wide, well-documented coverage specification directly comparable to the standalone horns documented much earlier in this session, here permanently paired with a specific compression driver rather than sold separately for use with any compatible driver.
The XD110’s compact size and lightweight ceramic magnet assembly is designed to obtain 16 kGauss in the gap — matching the HD110’s exact flux density figure.
At 0.9 kg, the 18 Sound XD110 carries the combined mass of both compression driver and integrated horn — a genuinely compact total weight for a complete HF loading assembly.
Performance and Applications for the 18 Sound XD110
The 18 Sound XD110 delivers 109 dB sensitivity across a 2.0 – 20 kHz frequency range, with a recommended crossover of 2.5 kHz using a 12 dB/octave or steeper high-pass filter — matching the HD110’s exact sensitivity and crossover recommendation, confirming these two products share the identical driver platform.
The 60° H × 50° V constant directivity coverage, held consistently from 2.5 kHz up to 16 kHz, gives system designers a complete, pre-engineered HF loading solution without needing to separately source and match a compatible horn — a genuine convenience and design-time saving for builders working with compact two and three-way lightweight systems where this specific coverage pattern is appropriate.
For applications where a proven, pre-matched driver-and-horn combination with documented constant directivity is preferred over separately sourcing and pairing a compression driver with an independent horn, the 18 Sound XD110 delivers exactly that integrated solution.
Conclusion – 18 Sound XD110 Integrated HF Assembly
The 18 Sound XD110 is an integrated compression driver and Elliptical Constant Directivity Horn assembly — essentially the HD110’s phenolic diaphragm platform permanently married to a purpose-built 60° × 50° constant directivity horn made from high-pressure die-cast polyurethane foam. This represents a genuinely different product category from the standalone compression drivers documented throughout the rest of this session’s HF coverage, offering system designers a complete, pre-matched HF loading solution in a single, compact 0.9 kg package.
For compact two and three-way lightweight systems requiring documented constant directivity without separately sourcing a compatible horn, the 18 Sound XD110 delivers 18 Sound’s integrated answer.
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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.
