Re: 4 July Hi-Fi
Yep, "smoke 'em if ya got 'em" ;^).
The old 2010 TH-118 spec sheet pictures a 15" speaker in the cabinet (doh), but the FR graph looks like Langston's from June 18, 2010.
The new 2012 TH-118 spec sheet still pictures a 18Sound woofer, and the exact same FR & impedance as the 2010 spec sheet, though the measurement date has been changed.
The picture has an 18Sound 18" not the BC 18SW115, which has split frame ribs.
Looking at Frank's TH-118 measurements, the non "sparatic" BC18SW115 appears to not go as low as the 18Sound version.
The 18sound NLW9000 has a lower FS, less Mms, and larger VAS, all of which (probably) result in a lower frequency response.
At any rate, with the differences noted, they certainly can't test identically.
Though the differences are not much, I'm sure you will want to retest the TH-118 with the current BC18SW115-4 to reflect the many changes in the cabinet's specifications for the sake of preserving DSL's reputation of honest specifications.
The original 18sound NLW9000 was rated at 1800W AES, 3600 Program, the replacement BC 18SW115-4 is rated 1700 & 3400W.
The NLW9000-4 has a DCR of only 2.5 ohms, while the BC18SW115-4 is 3.3 ohms, which will change the TH-118 sensitivity and impedance curve specifications.
All the 18Sound were not recalled, as you may remember from February of 2011:
http://forums.prosoundweb.com/index.php?topic=442.45;wap2
You might also consider (if you have not already) testing the less expensive ceramic magnet BC18TBW100 which was released since that discussion, it should have only around 1 dB less clean output (12mm Xmax compared to the 18SW115's 14), and slightly less power handling, for a slightly lower cost version of the TH-118 for those who need money more than the last dB.
Art
