1723 13.8″ WOOFER

Why 13.8”? The 25% larger surface area, when compared to a 12” driver, yields a woofer that requires less excursion and power to achieve the same SPL levels. The result is lower distortion, higher power handling and most importantly – tighter bass. Every part for this driver has been custom tooled to deliver high output, low distortion, accurate bass.

Design features

Ultra-high temp polyimide former with CCAW voice coil (copper clad aluminum wire) for low mass, high motor force and optimal thermal dissipation.

Benefits:

85% Aluminum / 15% Copper allows larger wire for more surface area.
68% as conductive as copper, but only 40% the mass for lighter weight.
Ultra-high temp Polyimide prevents insulation breakdown at high power levels (aka “burnt voice coil”)

After thorough optimization and testing (using FEA, Klippel and other methods) we refined a motor featuring multiple aluminum shorting rings with focused field “T” pole design. The result is a linear magnetic field over a long voice coil throw, with very low inductance.

The symmetrical suspension consists of a heavily analysed NBR surround and Connex spider with integrated tinsel leads. All combined to create a very high excursion with linear suspension. Again, contributing to high output and low distorting accurate bass.

HYBRID cone

Our unique hybrid cone of long fiber pulp and fiberglass, takes advantage of the pulp’s superior stiffness to weight ratio, with the additional rigidity of fiberglass to deliver a driver of massive durability that inherently inert and self damping. The result is a cone that achieves optimal pistonic motion at all frequencies it is asked to produce and beyond.

driver shielding

Shielding is added to all drivers to avoid any problems with air shipping as UPS (and other carriers) have an upper Gauss (magnetic field) limit. As Arendal Sound speakers and subwoofers are shipped world wide, we did not want them to be held at the airport terminals. We absolutely would not fit them with smaller motors than they deserve. We compromised nothing.

air flow venting

Air flow venting underneath the dust cap (vents in cone body) and spider (vents in frame) are added for two very important reasons. Air heated by the voice coil is forced away with each stroke of the cone diaphragm. This continuous exchange of air mitigates thermal compression and increases the woofer’s overall power handling capability. Second, the airflow relieves asymmetric compliance (suspension stiffness) and noises (ie, distortion) due to non-linear compression and rarefaction of air typically trapped under the dust cap and spider. Typical, vented pole designs will be limited in effectiveness due to the lack of airflow volume – At the highest power and excursions, where free, smooth airflow is needed most, the pole vent alone is not sufficient.