Martin Audio SXC118 – 18" Cardioid Portable Subwoofer (Black)

Product Overview

The Martin Audio SXC118 is a compact, high-performance cardioid portable subwoofer engineered for touring sound reinforcement and permanent installations where directional low-frequency pattern control is required. A dual-driver cardioid architecture — forward-facing 18" (460mm) and rear-facing 14" (356mm) drivers independently driven by separate amplifier channels and DSP — produces 28dB of rear rejection at 75Hz, keeping low-frequency energy away from stage and rear walls. The SXC118 is the portable ground-stack variant; the SXCF118B is the flown companion. Available in black; SXC118-W is the white finish variant.

Product Description

The SXC118 implements cardioid subwoofer technology through a dual-driver configuration: a forward-facing 18" (460mm)/4" (100mm) voice coil driver and a rear-facing 14" (356mm)/3.5" (88mm) voice coil driver are each driven by independent amplifier channels with optimised DSP processing. This dual-driver arrangement produces a cardioid dispersion pattern that maximises LF output in the forward hemisphere — toward the audience — while introducing significant cancellation in the rear hemisphere, achieving 28dB of rear rejection at 75Hz. In practice this reduces low-frequency coupling with stage, rear walls, and reverberant room surfaces, directly improving the transient accuracy, impact, and intelligibility of the complete system's LF response. The SXC118 is designed for touring sound reinforcement where conventional subwoofer arrays produce excessive rear-stage LF spill, and for permanent install applications in acoustically challenging rooms including live event venues, nightclubs, theatres, and spaces where rear wall or stage proximity creates problematic LF buildup. Integrated flying inserts in the tour-grade plywood enclosure support both ground-stack and elevated deployment. The SXC118 pairs with Martin Audio WPS, CDD-LIVE!, and other full-range systems in both touring and fixed installation contexts.

Key Features

• Cardioid Portable Subwoofer — Ground-stack variant designed for touring and portable deployment with optional flying capability.
• 28dB Rear Rejection at 75Hz — Reduces rear-stage LF spill, reverberant energy, and stage-monitor coupling.
• Forward 18" Driver — 460mm/4" voice coil driver maximises LF output in the audience-facing hemisphere.
• Rear 14" Driver — 356mm/3.5" voice coil driver creates cardioid cancellation in the rear hemisphere.
• Independent Amplifier Channels & DSP — Each driver requires independent amplification and DSP for correct cardioid pattern formation.
• Tour-Grade Plywood Enclosure with Flying Inserts — Durable construction supports touring and elevated deployment configurations.
• Acoustically Challenging Room Performance — Cardioid pattern reduces reverberant LF buildup in difficult acoustic environments.

Typical Applications

• Touring sound reinforcement with cardioid LF arrays for rear-stage rejection
• Live event venues and nightclubs with fixed cardioid subwoofer installs
• Theatre sound requiring controlled rear-stage LF radiation
• House of worship with reverberant acoustics requiring LF pattern control
• Corporate AV events in acoustically challenging rooms
• Outdoor entertainment areas where directional LF control reduces bleed to adjacent zones

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the SXC118 portable and the SXCF118B flown?

The SXC118 is the portable ground-stack variant with flying inserts for optional elevated deployment. The SXCF118B is the dedicated flown variant optimised for integration within rigged WPS line array configurations.

How does cardioid subwoofer technology work in the SXC118?

The forward and rear drivers are driven by independent amplifier channels with DSP-controlled timing and level differences. The rear driver introduces cancellation that reduces LF output in the rear hemisphere by 28dB at 75Hz while the forward drivers combine additively to maximise audience-facing output.

Does the SXC118 require specialised amplification?

Yes. The forward and rear drivers require independent amplifier channels with DSP processing. Consult Martin Audio system documentation for specific amplifier and DSP requirements.

Is the SXC118 suitable for permanent installation?

Yes. The SXC118 is used in permanent installations, particularly in live event venues, nightclubs, and acoustically challenging rooms where cardioid LF pattern control provides system performance benefits.

Is a white version available?

Yes. The SXC118-W is the white finish variant for colour-matched permanent installations.

Where can I view the full Martin Audio SX cardioid subwoofer range?

Visit creationnetworks.net/collections/martin-audio for the complete SX Series lineup.