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  FV18 Direct Servo subwoofer
18" ported audiophile sub with 900WRMS amplifier

LFE meets accuracy and control

FV18 is our answer to the need for a high power home theatre solution that retains the dynamic and accurate bass that we have become known for. Correctly integrated, our vented subwoofers can achieve the tight bass normally associated with a sealed enclosure, yet with greater low frequency output. We recommend this subwoofer for systems in which home theatre has a high priority.

Direct Servo Technology

All our subwoofers use our patented Direct Servo technology. The servo enables precise control over the cone which is essential for tight, dynamic and accurate bass. It also counteracts many different driver non-linearities and allows us to use lighter drivers which avoid the need for excessive amounts of amplifier power.

Some of the benefits of Direct Servo include:

  • Dramatic boxy sound reduction of the re-radiation of bass from inside the box
  • Thermal compression are eliminated under normal operation
  • Higher efficiency allowing output which would normally require a more powerful amplifier
  • Deep bass extension can be achieved using a low mass driver with superior transient response
  • Mechanical creep memory effects are reduced, further improving transient response
  • The (temperature-independent) effective driver Q value is 0.1 resulting in much tighter and accurate bass than non-servo drivers with typical Q value of 0.3-0.5 (and even higher when voice coil becomes hot)

Read more about Direct Servo in our technology section.

View animation demonstrating how Direct Servo works >

HX1000XLR3 Amplifier and DS1820 Driver

FV18 comes with a grille. The above photo is shown with grill taken off. It uses our new high power HX1000XLR3 servo amplifier and the standard metal cone DS1820 driver. DS1820 features anodized aluminum cone, a 3" voice coil, and 240 oz magnet. Its linear excursion range is +/- 20mm.

The standard amplifier is HX1000XLR3. The quickguide of the XLR3 amplifier for vented subs can be found here . The FV18 installation guide can be found here . The response curves with various extension frequency/damping combinations of both amplifiers can be found in our EQ page.

The sub comes with standard screw-in rubber feet. Chrome spike feet are sold separately.

Paper Cone vs Metal Cone and Independent Lab Test Results

Standard FV18 version uses metal cone DS1820 for its stiffness and low distortion. The independent test lab site www.data-bass.com has published the max distortion numbers for our metal cone FV18 and F18. The F18 has lower distortion and yet more output than Velodyne DD18+ for 1/3 of the price. Paper cone like the one used in Velodyne DD18+ can be made lighter than metal cone and therefore improve outputs above 50hz by up to 3db with the sacrifice of slightly higher distortions. For those who are after the maximum headroom in HT application may consider the paper cone version FV18SW (with paper cone SW1825). The order links are towards the bottom of this page.

The sale price includes freight shipping to 48 US continental states only. Shipping to other region or country should inquire us for actual cost. Each FV18 sub comes with complimentary mover pads for either carpet or hard floor, but not both. Please be sure to select one.

We will not ship to commercial address without public listing due to CC fraud concern. Exception can be requested via email and phone calls.

There is a $150 surcharge per unit to shipping to New York City and Long Island as freight companies charge more in NYC and Long Island. Currently, there is a $100 surcharge per unit to shipping to the following states: WA/OR/MT/ID/VT/MA/NJ/NY.

A few things to note for freight delivery: 1) Freight delivery is not as date-accurate as UPS ground delievery. Do prepare for unexpected delay, 2) If the order can be delivered without appointment/signature required, there is a $30 credit. Please use the order button to do so. The options available in the checkout process are for UPS ground only, and 3) All freight delivery included with the price is standard curb side delivery. Inside delivery and gararge delivery are extra and please ask us for a quote.

Documentation:
Quickguide
Integration guide

Metal Cone Version

  Description: with US 48 states shipping included (please also fill in contact phone number for freight delivery) Price  
  FV18 black oak grain finish Rev2 with HX1000XLR3 amplifier and multi-tune $2219 buy it now
  FV18 black matte finish Rev2 with HX1000XLR3 amplifier and multi-tune $2219 buy it now
  Upcharge for shipping to New York City and Long Island(per unit) $150 buy it now
  Upcharge shipping to these states: WA/OR/MT/ID/VT/MA/NJ/NY (per unit) $100 buy it now
  A set of 4 large furniture mover pads for carpet (add-on per FV18 order) $10 buy it now
  A set of 4 large furniture mover pads for hard floor (add-on per FV18 order) $10 buy it now

Paper Cone Version

The multi-sub discount of FV18SW has been increased from 5% to 10% until 3/15/2024.

There is a $150 surcharge per unit to shipping to New York City and Long Island as freight companies charge more in NYC and Long Island. Currently, there is a $100 surcharge per unit to shipping to the following states: WA/OR/MT/ID/VT/MA/NJ/NY. Please do add the surcharge per unit to shopping cart.

A few things to note for freight delivery: 1) Freight delivery is not as date-accurate as UPS ground delievery. Do prepare for unexpected delay, 2) If the order can be delivered without appointment/signature required, there is a $30 credit. Please use the order button to do so. The options available in the checkout process are for UPS ground only, and 3) All freight delivery included with the price is standard curb side delivery. Inside delivery and gararge delivery are extra and please ask us for a quote.

  Description: Paper cone Rev2 ((with RCA and XLR inputs) Price  
  FV18SW black oak grain finish Rev2 with paper cone driver $2119 buy it now
  FV18SW black matte finish Rev2 with paper cone $2119 buy it now
  Upcharge for shipping to New York City (per unit) $150 buy it now
  Upcharge shipping to these states: WA/OR/MT/ID/VT/MA/NJ/NY(per unit) $100 buy it now
  A set of 4 large furniture mover pads for carpet $10 buy it now
  A set of 4 large furniture mover pads for hard floor $10 buy it now