B&C DCX354 – Essential Compact 1.4″ Coaxial Ring Radiator with 112.8 dB HF Sensitivity
The B&C DCX354 takes the groundbreaking dual-diaphragm ring radiator technology from the DCX464 and compresses it into a smaller, lighter, more affordable package — with nearly the same output. If you were impressed by the DCX464 but needed something more compact for close-spaced line arrays or tighter cabinet designs, the B&C DCX354 is the answer B&C engineered from the ground up.
The B&C DCX354 delivers 111.1 dB MF sensitivity and an extraordinary 112.8 dB HF sensitivity — the highest high-frequency sensitivity figure in B&C’s entire product catalogue. Its patented coaxial ring radiator design covers 400 Hz to 20 kHz from a single 1.4-inch throat device, extending 2 kHz higher than the DCX464 while weighing just 2.43 kg.
For builders designing compact line array elements, high-output two-way PA systems, or any cabinet where the mid-high section needs maximum sensitivity from the smallest possible device, the B&C DCX354 sets a new benchmark for output-per-gram performance in a coaxial ring radiator format.
Design and Construction of the B&C DCX354
The B&C DCX354 uses the same time-coherent coaxial ring radiator architecture as the DCX464, with two concentric HT Polymer ring diaphragms operating independently through a shared 36 mm (1.4-inch) throat. B&C developed new mathematical modelling techniques specifically for this driver, evaluating dozens of potential diaphragm shapes per day to achieve nearly the same output as the larger DCX464 in a more compact form.
The midrange section features a 76 mm (3-inch) aluminium voice coil — scaled down from the DCX464’s 100 mm coil but still substantial for a compression driver. The HT Polymer ring diaphragm uses a patented shape that progressively decouples the outer diameter as frequency rises, extending the usable low-frequency bandwidth down to 400 Hz. That’s a remarkable reach for a driver this compact.
The high-frequency section uses a 51 mm (2-inch) aluminium voice coil driving a second HT Polymer ring diaphragm at an extraordinary 112.8 dB sensitivity. The 1.96 T flux density at the HF gap is the highest in B&C’s entire driver catalogue — even higher than the DCX464’s 2.14 T when measured relative to coil size. That magnetic force is what drives the record-setting HF sensitivity figure.
The redesigned patented midrange integrator allows both diaphragms to work together seamlessly across a wide overlapping bandwidth, just as in the DCX464. The result is time-coherent output with no phase offset between the MF and HF sections — true point-source behaviour from a single compact device.
The MF section achieves 1.93 T flux density — actually slightly higher than the DCX464’s 1.9 T — contributing to the identical 111.1 dB MF sensitivity despite the smaller coil. B&C’s new modelling and material science have clearly paid off in squeezing more performance from less hardware.
At 130 mm diameter, 73 mm deep, and 2.43 kg, the B&C DCX354 is significantly more compact than the DCX464 (152 mm, 78 mm, 3.64 kg). It mounts with the same four M6 holes on a 102 mm bolt circle, maintaining full compatibility with standard 1.4-inch horns and waveguides. The smaller diameter is a real advantage for close-spaced line array builds where driver-to-driver distance directly affects vertical coverage.
Performance and Applications for the B&C DCX354
The B&C DCX354 covers 400 Hz to 20 kHz with 180 W continuous on the MF section and 100 W on the HF. The 20 kHz upper limit extends 2 kHz beyond the DCX464, giving you full coverage to the top of the audible spectrum and beyond. For builders, that means no HF rolloff in the upper octave — the DCX354 stays present and detailed all the way up.
The 400 Hz lower limit is 100 Hz higher than the DCX464’s 300 Hz. In practice, this means crossing with your woofer slightly higher — but for most two-way designs using 12 or 15-inch woofers, 400 Hz is still a very low crossover point for a compression driver. The woofer only needs to cover bass and low midrange before the DCX354 takes over.
The 112.8 dB HF sensitivity is the headline number. That’s the highest HF sensitivity of any device in B&C’s catalogue — compression driver, coaxial, or ring radiator. Your build’s high-frequency section will project with effortless clarity and presence, cutting through even in the loudest environments without requiring excessive amplifier power.
B&C offers the same purpose-designed horn options as for the DCX464: the ME464 80×60 degree point-source horn (loading to 300 Hz with the 464, usable from 400 Hz with the 354), and the ME148 line-array waveguide for use from 500 Hz. Passive crossover options include the FB354 and FB354V2.
Builders commonly choose the B&C DCX354 for:
- Compact line array elements where close spacing and light weight are critical
- High-output two-way PA systems with woofer + DCX354 configurations
- Point-source cabinets needing a single device to replace separate MF and HF drivers
- Builds where maximum HF sensitivity per gram is the design priority
- Upgrades from conventional compression drivers in existing 1.4″ throat cabinets
Available in both 8 Ω and 16 Ω versions for flexible amplifier matching and multi-driver wiring configurations.
Specifications – MF Section
- Throat Diameter: 36 mm (1.4 in)
- Voice Coil Diameter: 76 mm (3 in)
- Continuous Power Handling: 180 W
- Nominal Power Handling: 90 W
- Nominal Impedance: 8 Ω
- Minimum Impedance: 7.9 Ω
- Frequency Range: 400 Hz – 6 kHz
- Recommended Crossover: 400 Hz
- Sensitivity: 111.1 dB
- Winding Material: Aluminium
- Inductance: 0.26 mH
- Flux Density: 1.93 T
- Diaphragm Material: HT Polymer Ring
Specifications – HF Section
- Throat Diameter: 36 mm (1.4 in)
- Voice Coil Diameter: 51 mm (2 in)
- Continuous Power Handling: 100 W
- Nominal Power Handling: 50 W
- Nominal Impedance: 8 Ω
- Minimum Impedance: 6.5 Ω
- Frequency Range: 5 kHz – 20 kHz
- Recommended Crossover: 4.5 kHz
- Sensitivity: 112.8 dB
- Winding Material: Aluminium
- Inductance: 0.1 mH
- Flux Density: 1.96 T
- Diaphragm Material: HT Polymer Ring
Mounting Information
- Bolt Pattern: Four M6 holes, 90° on 102 mm (4 in) diameter
- Overall Diameter: 130 mm (5.12 in)
- Depth: 73 mm (2.87 in)
- Net Weight: 2.43 kg (5.35 lb)
- MF Replacement Diaphragm: MMDDCX354MF8
- HF Replacement Diaphragm: MMDDCX354HF8
Conclusion
The B&C DCX354 is the compact evolution of B&C’s patented ring radiator technology — delivering nearly the same output as the DCX464 from a package that’s 22 mm narrower, 5 mm shallower, and over a kilogram lighter. The 112.8 dB HF sensitivity is the highest in B&C’s entire catalogue, and the 20 kHz upper limit extends beyond the DCX464 for full audible spectrum coverage.
With its patented progressively-decoupling diaphragm shape, matched ME464 and ME148 horn options, FB354 passive crossovers, and 8 Ω / 16 Ω impedance choices, the B&C DCX354 gives you the most advanced mid-high technology B&C has ever produced in the most compact form factor possible. Whether you’re building a line array, a flagship two-way PA, or a reference monitor that demands the absolute state of the art, this is the device that defines what’s possible from a 1.4-inch throat.
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About B&C Speakers S.r.L.
B&C Speakers products are built in Bagno a Ripoli (Florence), Italy., ensuring high quality products to suite your speaker building requirements. Their 10,500 square meter facility incorporates highly sophisticated automation and quality control. Over the years they become one of the world leaders in the Professional Audio market, a brand recognized everywhere as a premium product that offers excellent value to the consumer.
