WL218-sw
WideLine™ Subwoofer
The WL218-sw is a premium, high-performance,
dual 18" subwoofer designed for suspended or
ground stacked use in the most demanding
touring or installed concert applications.
With an impressive combination of punch,
low-frequency extension and accuracy, the
WL218-sw is an ideal companion for QSC’s
acclaimed WideLine as well as other professional
sound reinforcement systems.
Sound system designers and operators are
increasingly turning to subwoofer systems that
are flown with the main array for a more
seamless acoustical transition from the bass to
the low-mid region. With a simple, three-point
suspension design that is essentially a scaled
up version of the QSC WideLine system, the
WL218-sw fulfills the requirement while also
delivering powerful and stunningly accurate low
frequency output.
Suspension of the array requires one AF218-sw
for each subwoofer array. The AF218-sw is a
simple, heavy-duty array frame constructed
of welded, aviation-grade 6061-T6 aluminum
and intended for suspension of up to eight
WL218-sw subwoofers with a 10:1 design
factor. For ground-supported applications,
the subwoofers may be stacked using the
interlocking feet and recess features machined
into the enclosure’s end caps.
The 18" woofers incorporate a double layer
spider and triple roll surround for extended
and controlled excursion at extreme power.
The 4" voice coil is wound on a fiberglass
former to prevent deformation at high operating
temperatures and is extensively vented to reduce
power compression. An aluminum demodulating
ring is employed for low distortion.
The extremely musical yet powerful performance
of the subwoofer is the result of carefully
balancing the transducer selection, cabinet
volume and port tuning. The resulting system
offers plenty of “punch” while maintaining
ample extension so the musically important
and satisfying fundamentals are solidly and
accurately reproduced.
The enclosure of the WL218-sw is constructed
of premium quality birch plywood finished
in an environmentally friendly, waterborne,
polymer finish that stands up to life on the
road while also being field repairable. Extensive
internal bracing is employed to eliminate
acoustic losses due to panel resonance. Further
contributions to cabinet rigidity come from vent
walls constructed of the same plywood as the
enclosure. Each woofer is protected by a heavy-
duty, 14 gauge, powder coated steel grille and
housed in its own, separate chamber to prevent
failure of one driver from causing damage to
the other.
Despite the extremely large amount of air
moving in the ports, careful attention to detail
has resulted in a system that is free of port
distortion “chuffing”. Ample port area allows
massive amounts of air to move freely with
minimal turbulence and the ports are arranged
so as to eliminate asymmetrical loading of the
woofers, which can result in distortion and
voice coil failure related to rocking-modes.
Transport and handling were also given high
priority. No matter how the box is deployed
one of the dozen handles will be where it
needs to be. The included dolly has rugged,
3.5", ball bearing casters and an elegantly easy-
to-use, snap on mechanism for attachment to
the enclosure.
QSControl.net™ / BASIS™ DSP files are available for
download. They are tuned for use with WL218-sw
to provide optimized performance.
Features
• Simple, convenient suspension system based on the
proven QSC WideLine design. Supports up to 8 WL218-sw
subwoofers with 10:1 design factor
• Very high acoustic output capability – 139 dB SPL
(1m) peak
• Ample “punch” combined with low-frequency extension
down to 31 Hz
• Comprehensive transport and handling features
including an easy to attach dolly and twelve thoughtfully
placed handles
• Premium-grade, long-excursion, high-power woofers with
4"
, fiberglass voice coils, double layer spiders and triple
roll surrounds
• Birch ply enclosure with independent, dual chambers
and extensive internal bracing for rigidity and solid,
accurate reproduction
