New AE IB18HT...

[mtbdudex]

There is a thread at AVS forum where AE will be releasing a IB18HT.
Nice to have more options.
link

Fs: 18.4hz
Qms: 5.7
Vas: 632L
Cms: .3
Mms: 250G
Xmax: 18mm
Xmech: 25mm
Se: 1218sqcm
Vd: 4.4L
Qes: .63
Re: 5.6ohm
Le: .41mH
Z: 8ohm
Pe: 500W
Qts: .57
1W SPL: 90dB
2.83V: 91.5dB

New development just for the SEOSR Theater!! hahaha...not really, just great timing. John will have these up on the site and ready to order in the next couple of days. I just had a great talk with him about them and I'm in for 16 or em'!! I will have AE everywhere biggrin.gif The initial plan is to do two dual woofer manifolds in each of the four corners of the room and each at 1/4 from sides/top/bottom. That could change a bit based on instruction, but it's the plan right now.

Below from John_E_Janowitz

To keep the output in perspective, compare to a known driver. The IB18HT will displace 4.4L peak to peak at the 18mm Xmax. A pair would displace 8.8L peak to peak. The LMS ultra displaces 8L peak to peak at the 33.66mm Xmax. So 16 of the IB18HT is going to give more output than 8 LMS Ultra 5400's. I would't expect people would consider that too little in the room. The pair of IB18HT is significantly less expensive to buy.

The power requirements are also massively different. The pair of IB18HT at 20hz require about 500W to reach the 18mm Xmax giving over 116dB. The single LMSR5400 requires 5000W to reach it's Xmax limits at 20hz. It literally takes 10X the power to get the same output even before you factor in the rise in resistance of the VC due to the extra heat. A pair of the IB18HT are 10dB more efficient. That is modelling both in an infinite baffle. If you looked at the LMS5400 in sealed enclosures, the efficiency of the system goes down significantly more. The cost of power to run the IB18HT is again significantly less. Not to mention the HVAC requirements to keep things cool with amplifiers making 40,000W and VC's dissipating that kind of power into the room. That easily surpasses 100,000 BTU no matter how efficient the amps are.

Physically the suspension on the IB18HT is dead quiet up to over the 18mm Xmax. They have the same low distortion motor with full copper sleeve on the pole as all the other woofers we make here in the US. 16 of the IB18HT will produce just shy of 135dB at 20hz, requiring only 5000W total to reach the 18mm Xmax for this. In addition, the suspension allows for clean travel another 5-6mm beyond this 18mm point so there is plenty of headroom and no worry of damage. With proper room design the VLF should be substantial.

[FOH]

Thanks for the update Mike

When I saw this over at AVS the day it was posted, I knew this would have strong appeal to many IB'ers. Janowitz' superb 15" IB offering is something of a legend, as you well know, so this is a logical and nice addition to the line. I hope this is a success for AE. I wish it offered more throw, but wth, you can't have it all. The full inductance control/low distortion magnetic design, and low Fs, Xmech, likely makes it closer to the theoretically ideal IB driver.

But, displacement is very important as well, which the Fi IB3-18 offers up in spades. But the Fi possesses higher Fs, less sophisticated motor, etc.

Prior to this, the ubiquitous Fi IB3-18 seemed to be the value leader go-to option for IB applications. Depending on how things shake out/early impressions, this trick 18mm 18" from AE may challenge that assertion. Myself, like most everyone else, I think it's an exciting and welcome addition for any current IB owner or one contemplating driver options for an upcoming IB.

Mike, "Usul" XL?       

   

[mtbdudex]

If I was building from new today in my existing home/room then a no brainer to go with the AE IB18HT, 4 of them.
As is, I'm very pleased with what I have, my 4 AE 15's totally wowed our 47 guests who were over for Thanksgiving, plus the 5 dogs.

I'm hoping others here consider the AE IB18HT for their future build.
Perfect for manifolds between stud construction, or line array if you have stiff-stiff wall section.

My next "major" HT upgrade will be mid-2015; 4k PJ with AT screen & DIY speakers in front baffle wall.
(heck, that's only 1.5 years away  )

[chopshop1]

John is great, as is the quality of his work. I was so excited to have him bring this driver to me in the discussion about my HT. I have 24 of these bad boys coming for a large manifold based SBA. The lack of displacement compared to the Fi had me concerned in the beginning, but the overall quality of the AE drivers and my relationship with John make these a no-brainer. I have to get some pics up in the project section once I get things going...or better yet when these arrive. I can't wait to line 2 dozen of them up on my floor and look at a see of subs

[maxserg]

Wow 24 of these!