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SXHF218

2 x 18" Passive Hybrid® Horn/Reflex Flown Subwoofer

SXHF218 | Hybrid® Horn/Reflex Subwoofer
SXHF218 | Hybrid® Horn/Reflex Subwoofer
Where to Buy or Rent

The SXHF218 is an extremely powerful subwoofer capable of producing peak SPL of 148 dB at 1 m (154 dB peak with crest factor 4). It is essentially the flown version of the SXH218 and is the ideal partner for Wavefront Precision WPL arrays where maximum low frequency output is required.

Features

  • Ultra-high output flown subwoofer
  • Hybrid® horn/reflex loading for maximum acoustic efficiency and low frequency extension
  • Dual long-excursion 18” (460mm)/4.5” (115mm) voice coil neodymium drivers
  • Forward or rear-facing operation

Applications

  • Outdoor festivals
  • Stadiums, arenas and theatres
  • Concert halls
  • Nightclubs

Its Hybrid® horn/reflex loading combines the acoustic efficiency and impact of bass horn technology with the low frequency extension of a reflex design, enabling it to produce significantly higher output levels than a traditional reflex-loaded subwoofer. With an operating range of 32-150Hz ± 3dB, it features dual long-excursion 18” (460mm)/4.5” (115mm) voice coil neodymium drivers, with water resistant cones and triple roll surrounds.

The enclosure is constructed from multi-laminate plywood and coated with hard-wearing textured black paint. A rigid perforated steel grille protects the front of the enclosure. By using the integral flying hardware and the WPLGRIDt flying frame, you can fly arrays of SXHF218 subwoofers above WPL arrays or, more commonly, fly them alongside as a separate subwoofer array. Like the ground-stack version, a combination of forward and rear-facing enclosures can be configured with specific directional properties. By adding an outrigger kit, SXHF218 subs can be ground-stacked beneath WPL enclosures to form a powerful ground-based system.

The SXHF218 can be powered by either a single channel of a Martin Audio iK42 4-channel amplifier, or a bridged pair if maximum output is required. The connector sockets are wired so that one four-core cable from the amplifier will power two subwoofers. SXHF218 settings are determined by a predetermined parameter set in Vu-Net when used in conjunction with an iK42, or are available from the Martin Audio website when used with alternative amplifiers.

We provide this subwoofer with a set of four castors. A transit cover is available as an optional accessory.

From Q2 2026, the SXHF218 has front and rear LED indicators and adds a front‑mounted NL4 input connector, bringing the total to three NL4 connectors, including the two on the rear. Upgraded flying hardware, corrosion-resistant pins, a new grille and updated connectors allow this version to meet stringent environmental testing standards.

You can illuminate the LED indicators via Vu‑Net software to identify each enclosure on the circuit. The rear LED is intended for use in cardioid setups.

The third NL4 input connector on the front improves cabling for subwoofers used in cardioid configurations. For outdoor use, you no longer need a WRKIT, but you must seal all three NL4 sockets. Use the correct cable connectors (NLT4FX or NLT4FX‑BAG) for connected sockets and install Martin Audio weatherproof NL4 sealing plugs in unused sockets. This provides an IP rating of IP54 for the connections.

Links
User guide Brochure Datasheet
Specification
TYPE
Hybrid® horn/reflex subwoofer
FREQUENCY RESPONSE (1)
32Hz – 150Hz ±3dB, -10dB @ 27Hz
DRIVERS
2 x 18” (460mm)/4.5” (115mm) voice coil,
long excursion, neodymium magnet, waterproof cone
RATED POWER (2)
3,400 W AES, 13,600 W peak
Recommended Amplifier
iKON iK42 bridged for full output
SENSITIVITY (10)
107dB
MAXIMUM SPL (9)
142dB continuous, 148dB peak
154dB peak with crest factor 4
NOMINAL IMPEDANCE
4 Ohms
DISPERSION (-6dB)
Omnidirectional/or Cardioid (paired)
ENCLOSURE
Multi-laminate birch/poplar ply
FINISH
Hard-wearing textured black paint (RAL 9005)
PROTECTIVE GRILLE
Black perforated steel
ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING
(for details click here)
IP rating IP21
MIL-STD-810H
ISO 4892-2 Solar Radiation
ISO 12944-6 Category C3 Corrosion resistance
LED INDICATORS
Two LEDs: one front, one rear (rear LED for cardioid subs)
CONNECTORS
3 x NLT4MPXX-BAG (one front, two rear)
IP54 weather-resistant seal with NLT4FX, NLT4FX-BAG or
weatherproof NL4 sealing plug
PIN CONNECTIONS (INPUT ON FRONT)
1+/1-
PIN CONNECTIONS (INPUT ON REAR)
1+/1-
PIN CONNECTIONS (LINK ON REAR)
1+/1- linked to 2+/2-
2+/2- linked to 1+/1-
FITTINGS
Two skids on base, with mating channels on top
Four rear-mounted 100mm (4in) castors supplied
6 x bar handles, 3 on each side
4 x fittings for optional transit cover
DIMENSIONS (INCL SKIDS)
(W) 1148mm x (H) 604mm x (D) 1027mm (1155mm incl. castors)
(W) 45.2in x (H) 23.8in x (D) 40.4in (45.5in incl. castors)
WEIGHT
144 kg (317 lbs), with castors 147.5 kg (325 lbs)
OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES



Transit cover (SXHF218TC)
Weatherproof NL4 sealing plug
Touring flying frame (WPLGRIDt)
Flight case for two WPLGRIDt flying frames (WPLGTFC)
Architectural Specs
Martin Audio SXHF218

The loudspeaker shall be a flyable hybrid® horn/reflex subwoofer consisting of two 18‑inch (460 mm) long‑excursion low‑frequency transducers with 4.5‑inch (115 mm) voice coils. The on‑axis frequency response shall be 32 Hz–150 Hz ±3 dB, with a –10 dB point at 27 Hz. The loudspeaker shall produce a maximum SPL of 148 dB peak or 154 dB peak with crest factor 4.

Power handling shall be 3000 W AES, 12 000 W peak, and the rated impedance shall be 4 ohms. The loudspeaker shall be fitted with three NL4 connectors (one on the front, two on the rear). The loudspeaker shall be operated in conjunction with a dedicated controller amplifier.

The loudspeaker shall be capable of forward and rear‑facing operation, enabling the construction of flown or ground‑stacked directional subwoofer arrays. The enclosure shall be constructed from multi‑laminate plywood, finished with a hard‑wearing textured black paint (RAL 9005). The drivers shall be protected by a black perforated steel grille.

The enclosure shall be fitted with two skids on the base with mating channels on the top, four rear‑mounted 100 mm (4 in) castors, bar handles and four fittings for an optional transit cover. Two LED indicators, one front and one rear, shall provide enclosure identification via Vu‑Net, with the rear LED intended for cardioid operation.

Dimensions including skids, excluding castors (W × H × D) shall be 1148 mm × 604 mm × 1027 mm (45.2 in × 23.8 in × 40.4 in). Dimensions including castors shall be 1148 mm × 604 mm × 1155 mm (45.2 in × 23.8 in × 45.5 in). Weight shall be 138 kg (304 lb), or 146.5 kg (323 lb) with castors.

The loudspeaker shall be the Martin Audio SXHF218.

Accessories
WRKIT.Weatherised connector cover(for compatibility, see datasheet)
WRKIT.Weatherised connector cover(for compatibility, see datasheet)

WRKIT

Weatherised connector cover
(for compatibility, see datasheet)

WPLGRIDt / WPLGRIDt-W.Touring flying frame for WPL and SXHF218, available in black or white
WPLGRIDt / WPLGRIDt-W.Touring flying frame for WPL and SXHF218, available in black or white

WPLGRIDt / WPLGRIDt-W

Touring flying frame for WPL and SXHF218, available in black or white

SXHF218TC

Transit cover for SXHF218

WPLGTFC

Flight case for two
WPLGRIDt grids

Weatherproof NL4 sealing plug

Available in this Series

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