PASSIVE SUBMC182 — Cinema Subwoofer
Cinema · Subwoofer

MC182

Cinema Subwoofer

Passive cinema subwoofer with dual 18-inch drivers in a single cabinet driven from one amplifier channel, for high-output LFE reproduction. Hall depth ≤ 16/22 m (1 unit), ≤ 22/31 m (2 units), ≤ 31/43 m (4 units)1

Frequency response30 Hz – 500 Hz±3 dB @ 2π
Drivers18" LF × 2low-frequency section
SystemPassive Subwoofer135 dB rated max SPL @ 1 m, 2π
Hall depth≤ 16/22 m (1 unit), ≤ 22/31 m (2 units), ≤ 31/43 m (4 units)continuous / program power
Spec sheet (PDF)
Applications

Cinema LFE channels · Large commercial auditoriums · Screening rooms · Large-format screens · Dome cinemas

01

Features

Performance
  • Two 18″ low-frequency drivers (Φ114.3 mm voice coils, 36 mm windings, cast-aluminium chassis) in one bass-reflex enclosure.
  • 103 dB sensitivity with a 1600 W AES 100-hour rating (3200 W program).
  • 135 dB rated maximum SPL — continuous, on the AES 100-hour basis.
Engineering
  • Six punched vents in each voice-coil former and a Φ45 mm magnet-assembly vent form a thermal path for sustained high-power operation.
  • MDF bass-reflex enclosure with a speckle-paint finish, 1317 × 690 × 560 mm, 110 kg net — dual-18″ output from a single installation position.
  • 4 Ω nominal: both drivers run as one load on one amplifier channel.
  • Recommended 120 Hz low-pass and 25 Hz high-pass (24 dB/oct).
Economy & maintenance
  • Configured in multiples to match hall depth and LFE target level.
02

Overview

The MC182 is a passive cinema subwoofer in the MC Series for high-output LFE reproduction in large auditoriums and screening rooms. The system comprises two 18″ low-frequency drivers (36 mm windings, cast-aluminium chassis) in an MDF bass-reflex enclosure with a speckle-paint finish, with a 30 Hz–500 Hz response (±3 dB), 22 Hz usable at −10 dB and a 4 Ω nominal load.

At 103 dB sensitivity and a 1600 W AES 100-hour rating it produces a 135 dB rated maximum SPL on a continuous basis. Both drivers run as one 4 Ω load on one amplifier channel, concentrating dual-18″ output at a single installation position. A 120 Hz low-pass is recommended for integration, with a 25 Hz high-pass protecting the drivers. The cabinet measures 1317 × 690 × 560 mm and weighs 110 kg net.

03

Specifications

Product TypeCinema Subwoofer
System TypePassive Subwoofer
Driver Configuration18" LF × 2
Nominal Impedance4Ω
Frequency Response (±3 dB @ 2π)230 Hz–500 Hz
Frequency Range (-10 dB @ 2π)222 Hz–500 Hz
AES 100-Hour Power Rating31600W
AES 2-Hour Power Rating2000W
Program Power43200W
Sensitivity (2π) @1W/1m103dB
Rated Maximum SPL /1m @ 2π135dB
Calculated Maximum SPL /1m @ 2π5141dB
Recommended LPF120 Hz@24 dB/oct
Recommended HPF25 Hz@24 dB/oct
Coverage Angle (H×V)—
Enclosure TypeCinema subwoofer enclosure
Enclosure Material / FinishMDF · Speckle-paint finish
Input ConnectorsBinding posts
Mounting OptionsFloor-standing
Dimensions W×H×D (mm)W1317 × H690 × D560 mm
Net Weight110 kg
04

Frequency response

MC182 — Cinema Subwoofer
MC1821 W / 1 m, free field, 1/6-oct smoothing
05

Dimensions

MC182 — Cinema Subwoofer
Front view
MC182 — Cinema Subwoofer
Side view
MC182 — Cinema Subwoofer
Top view
W × H × D · net weightW1317 × H690 × D560 mm · 110 kg
Specification notes
  1. 1Two length values are given: the first is the usable range on continuous power, the second on program power. Program power is a short-term maximum output and is not a level the system can sustain continuously. Target levels follow the SMPTE ST 202 / RP 200 cinema reference level: 95 dB for LFE plus 20 dB peak headroom, measured at the reference listening position (RLP); hall depth = listening distance x 1.5. Listening distance is derived from free-field distance attenuation. The continuous-power range uses the rated maximum SPL in this table; the program-power range uses the rated value +3 dB (program power being twice the continuous power). The calculated maximum SPL (rated +6 dB, short-term peak) is not used for these figures. Subwoofer arrays use non-coherent summation (+3 dB per doubling of cabinet count, +3 dB per doubling of power). Screen loss, power compression, system limiting and room gain are not included - this is a theoretical estimate, not a measured guarantee; on-site verification is recommended. Operating beyond the recommended figure may result in, but is not limited to: dynamic compression, increased distortion, extraneous noise, and in severe cases equipment damage.
  2. 2Low-frequency response and sensitivity specifications are referenced to half-space (2π) conditions, representative of typical cinema baffle-wall installation. Frequency-response graphs are measured in an anechoic free-field (4π) environment unless otherwise noted. In the low-frequency region the same loudspeaker measures about 6 dB higher under 2π than under 4π (in practice 3–6 dB depending on frequency and baffle conditions); this is a difference of measurement convention, not of performance.
  3. 3Rating based on an IEC filtered random-noise test signal, band-limited 30 Hz–500 Hz, with a peak-to-average ratio of 6 dB
  4. 4Recommended amplifier output at the applicable impedance should not exceed the program power, giving an unclipped output waveform while avoiding loudspeaker damage; an amplifier capable of at least the RMS continuous power (AES 100 h) is recommended to realize full loudspeaker performance. The actual amplifier match should be determined by calculation for the listening distance (see note 1).
  5. 5Calculated maximum SPL is derived from the rated (continuous) power and half-space (2π) sensitivity and is a calculated, not measured, figure; at a 6 dB peak-to-average ratio it exceeds the rated value by 6 dB, representing short-term peak capability rather than a level the system can sustain.
  6. 6The frequency-response graphs on this page are measured on-axis at 1 W/1 m in an anechoic free-field (4π) environment with 1/6-octave smoothing; the frequency response and sensitivity in the specification table are stated under half-space (2π) conditions. Lower readings in the low-frequency region of the graph therefore reflect the difference in convention rather than a difference in performance. 2π-format curves are available on request.