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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Steve Litcher on July 05, 2016, 12:36:59 PM
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We have a total of six EAW SB180r cabinets that we use; each are loaded with the RCF-L18P200-N driver. The subs sound great and do fairly well in most circumstances, but I'm trying to determine what to do in the event of the unthinkable (damaged driver)...
We purchased all of the cabinets used, and one of them seems to be less tolerant of SPL than the others. I'm worried that I may be looking at having to replace a driver (or two). The cone and surrounds are fine - I'm wondering if there may be a VC issue (ugh).
I've dug around on Parts Express, scoured Craigslist and eBay, and am struggling to find a suitable replacement driver. Any suggestions or recommendations?
Here's a link to the original RCF driver specs: http://www.rcf.it/products/precision-transducers/low-frequency-transducers/l18p200-n
And here's a link to the SB180r specs: http://eaw.com/docs/2_Legacy_Products/Loudspeakers/SB/SB180/SB180_datasheet.pdf
I can't find a driver with similar TS parameters... grr. I've also contacted RCF for thoughts, and am waiting on a reply.
Thanks in advance!
-Steve
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Some time ago I was called to check LF driver in EAW SB180 cab in one of the local clubs. It wasn't RCF brand, but 18 Sound instead. After a simple soldering (the lead wire came off) everything went back to normal.
If you really have to change the driver (not to recone it) look for close replacements from B&C, 18 Sound or any other manufacturer with driver power of 700 Watts plus. They all will do the job.
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Some time ago I was called to check LF driver in EAW SB180 cab in one of the local clubs. It wasn't RCF brand, but 18 Sound instead. After a simple soldering (the lead wire came off) everything went back to normal.
If you really have to change the driver (not to recone it) look for close replacements from B&C, 18 Sound or any other manufacturer with driver power of 700 Watts plus. They all will do the job.
Thanks for the 18 Sound idea - I knew EAW sourced multiple drivers, but didn't know they used 18S. All of ours are definitely RCF - looks like one was reconed at some point.
I wanted to make sure the driver is compatible with the vented enclosure; I'd like to maintain the musical quality and FQ-response while avoiding potential damage to the driver. I'll have to keep digging - B&C didn't have anything that came close to matching the TS parameters of the RCF... :-[
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EAW went from RCF to 18Sound on a few subs including the SB1000. 18S came up with a drivers that wasa pretty close match, the LW1400. I think one of the new higher power version still has pretty similar tuning.
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EAW went from RCF to 18Sound on a few subs including the SB1000. 18S came up with a drivers that wasa pretty close match, the LW1400. I think one of the new higher power version still has pretty similar tuning.
Yep! Thanks!!
I spent a little more time on the 18S site, and the 18LW1400 looks like a near perfect match. Score! Thanks again, guys!!
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Hey Lev & Stephen -
Thanks a MILLION for the info about 18Sound. We replaced four of our old RCF drivers with the 18Sound 18LW1400 drivers and the improvement/difference is insane. The output is cleaner, they're more powerful, and more controllable. I wish we would've done this months ago.
Quick note for anyone reading this in the future, who may be trying to replace drivers in their EAW SB180R cabinets... there are two minor things to be aware of:
1. The 18Sound hole spacing is *slightly* off. Ever so slightly. You can make it all work, but be careful to not strip any t-nuts. We found that by starting all of the bolts by hand and carefully shifting the woofer around a little, that everything would settle-in and we could tighten everything down.
2. The 18Sound frame is slightly taller than the old RCF frame, so the cab grille will nearly "rest" on the frame of the woofer. We used black rubber washers, stacked behind the grille mounting screws to space the grille out just a bit.
We hammered on these things at an outdoor show and they performed flawlessly. Four ground-stacked subs, powered by two bridged PLX3602s and they hit hard and clean. If you need a replacement driver, the 18Sound are excellent. Thank you!!!