Ascendo The16 Sub Active Sealed Subwoofer
The16
Building upon the very successful model, The12 SUB ACTIVE VENTED, and in response to existing customers and dealers asking for a larger active model at an approachable price point, we began work on what has become The16 SUB ACTIVE SEALED.
OVERVIEW
The goal was, to create a subwoofer with great extension in an enclosure that was modest in size, and with exceptional punch and speed. We chose a sealed enclosure for The16, as a sealed design delivers the utmost precision and musicality.
FEATURES
We wanted to go beyond a 15-inch cone, and ultimately were able to fit a 16-inch woofer in an enclosure not much larger than The12. We achieved this by designing a narrow but high roll surround. No expense was spared to make this a low distortion yet very high linear excursion surround. For the cone material, we designed a triple material sandwich cone, with a Rohacell core, to be very stiff and light enough to give us the extension we needed for such a small enclosure.
The motor is a triple stack magnet that gives us the magnetic strength to bring the system Q low enough to have high electrical control over the woofer, but still high enough to work perfectly in a sealed enclosure. The woofer has a linear Xmax one way of 21mm, hence 42mm linear Xmax both ways.
For the amplifier section, we use a linear power supply that can be switched between 110V or 230V, depending on the markets where it is being used. The amplifier section has a 1kW (RMS) output, with tons of dynamic headroom for undistorted peak dynamics.
The connectivity remains the same excellent design of our model The12, with Balanced XLR inputs for LFE, which is a full range design with no processing, allowing the surround processor to handle bass management. Two RCA inputs for stereo applications complete the input section, featuring a variable crossover from 50 to 150Hz. There is also a variable phase control and a gain knob to perfectly level the woofer. An auto sense feature turns the subwoofer on automatically, or there is the option to remain on at all times.
The enclosure is made from HDF, with a black ash vinyl wrap that looks clean and is easy to maintain. The16 comes with a grille covered in a black stretch fabric, that can be removed if desired.
We highly recommend auditioning The16, as we believe it represents class-leading performance anywhere near its size, and confidently demonstrates its place in the complete line of Ascendo subwoofers.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Speaker Type: 16" forward-firing composite cone woofer with 3" voice coil
- Xmax: 20 mm excursion each direction (40 mm linear), voice coil remains in homogeneous magnetic field
- Passive / Active: Active, Class D Amplifier
- Principle: Sealed
- SPL (Peak / Half Space 2π): 125 dB (measured data)
- Frequency Range (CEA-2010B): 20 Hz – 150 Hz
- Directivity (H x V): 360°
- Output Power: 1000 W
- Power Voltage Range: 110 V or 220 V (switchable)
- Input Sensitivity (RCA): 100 mV / 22 KΩ
- Input Sensitivity (XLR Balanced): 150 mV / 47 KΩ
- LFE Input: 1 × XLR balanced, full range, no crossover applied
- Line Level Input: 2 × RCA summing / unbalanced
- LFE Output: 1 × XLR balanced
- Line Level Output: 2 × RCA / unbalanced
- Features: Low-pass crossover (50 Hz – 150 Hz variable), phase (0° – 180°), volume control, auto turn on/off
- Protection Features: Thermal protection
- Enclosure: Internally braced medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
- Width: 20.47" | 520 mm
- Height: 18.50" | 470 mm
- Height with Feet: 19.09" | 485 mm
- Depth without Grill: 16.54" | 420 mm
- Depth with Plug: 18.90" | 480 mm
- Weight: 102.51 lbs | 46.5 kg
- Grille: Black acoustic fabric
- Finish: Black ash
- Custom Colour Options: Piano lacquer, color of choice, matte or other finishes upon request
- Shape Customization: Upon request
- Mounting: Floor standing with feet
- Included: Supplied with front cover as standard