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SSP218-MK3 Dual 18" Subwoofer

SSP218-MK3 Dual 18" Subwoofer

Road warrior's choice for killer bass, truck-pack convenience, and ease of use.

Soul Bending

You need a rock-solid, rough, and ready high-performer that keeps it coming year after year. You need big bass and proven reliability for the broadest range of applications that countless gigs later are still ready to boom.

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Oomf Galore

There's no shortage of double-18" subs in the world. It's nice to know there's at least one that's done right.

Family Stories

After Ultra Music Festival (2012) David demoed a system for us. His demo was impressive to say the least – everything attached to the walls shaking and falling down. His equipment wasn’t even working hard and it had just taken beating after beating in the Miami heat and salty humidity at Ultra.

I’ve been grinning from ear to ear with these cabs! I’d be willing to go as far as calling it job security! I’m told by my coworkers, our school productions are usually a “spectacle” haha! Thanks for a killer product!

Our SSP218 Subs are performing excellently! The subs shake the venue and our audiences have noticed the drastic improvement.

You Can Have it All

After beer spillage, late-night knocks, accidental mixer overloads, DJ debacles, and the regular wear and tear of providing people with a reason to dance, your SSP218s will be right there with you, ready for more.

Founding Father

Delivering massive output at and above 30Hz, reliably, consistently, and with great fidelity. Modern electronic, jazz, reggae, pop, and R&B music emphasize bass and put tremendous demands on low-frequency loudspeakers. The SSP218 delivers the energy and power of modern music and it is built to take the stress of doing so.

Family Stories

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Power of MK3

MK3 Amp Update

There are all-new amplifiers in the MK3 series. Total power has increased, however power allocated to woofers increased substantially. The higher output voltages provide more impact. Universal input voltage compatibility of 90-250V provides more flexibility. Waterproof connections provide more peace of mind.

MK3 Enhanced DSP

The MK3 features an all-new 96kHz DSP. The pushbutton presets have doubled, from 4 to 8, and up to 100 presets can now be stored in the DSP and loaded via LAN. The comprehensive suite of processing includes meticulously tuned equalization, all necessary high-pass and low-pass filters, as well as multiple protection systems and limiters to prevent driver overload in as many ways as possible.

ControlBASS Software

ControlBASS software supports an essentially unlimited number of possible BASSBOSS-developed or customized user presets which integrate seamlessly and coherently with all other BASSBOSS products for effortlessly perfect setups. The latest in DSP programming developments can be added via easy remote updating.

Technical Specifications
Specification Details
Loudspeaker Description
Double 18" Self-Powered Vented Direct-Radiating Subwoofer
Frequency Response (±3 dB)
30 – 100Hz +-3 dB
Maximum Sustained Output
136 dB SPL 1m half-space
Max SPL (Peak)*
139 dB SPL 1m half-space
Nominal Dispersion (H° x V°)
360 x 360 – Cardioid Mode Available with Multiple Boxes
Amplification
5000 Watts Class D (2 x 2500W)
Processing
Integrated comprehensive DSP. 96kHz sampling rate with 8 pushbutton presets. All presets include high pass filters, low pass filters, phase alignment, equalization and multi-stage limiting. Storage apacity for up to 100 presets
Electrical Connector Amp
Neutrik powerCON True 1 TOP IP65 rated waterproof connectors
Electrical Connector Mains
Standard US 3-pin grounding 120V electrical plug: NEMA 5-15 (Edison)
Voltage Operating Range
100-240V AC, 50-60Hz (Auto-sensing, auto switching universal supply)
Current Draw 120V
9 Amps (Nominal)
Current Draw 240V
4.5 Amps (Nominal)
Signal Input Connector
XLR-F
Signal Output Connector
XLR-M (direct pass-through only)
Enclosure Type
Direct radiating, vented enclosure, optimally tuned for extended low frequency response with high sensitivity and high power handling
Transducer Low Frequency
2 x 18 in. diameter (457mm) neodymium motor woofers with 4 in. (100mm) voice coils
Transducer Mid Frequency
Transducer High Frequency
Cabinet Construction
CNC machined 18mm Birch plywood with extensive bracing and dado joinery. 4 steel bar handles. 2 x 35mm steel pole sockets. 4 rubber feet. 4 interlocking foot pockets. 16 X M10 threaded flypoints
Exterior Finish
High-pressure, bonded polyurea coating. Rugged, waterproof. Textured black
Grille
Perforated, powder-coated steel
Dimensions (HxWxD)
22.5 in. x 48 in. x 29.5 in. (23.25 in. high with feet)
Net Weight
199 lbs
Shipping Weight
230 lbs
What's Included
Loudspeaker, 15' (5m) Power Cable, Manual, Warranty Card
Optional Covers
Heavy-duty padded nylon transport covers for 1or 2 cabinets
Optional Dollies
Birch plywood flat cart with 4 heavy-duty locking casters. 4 pockets to accept the cabinet feet. 7 handles. Transports up to 4 cabinets.
Optional Hardware
M10 Shoulder Eye Bolts, M10 Side-Pull anchors
True Specifications
Our forward-thinking approach means that we never rest on our laurels. As we continue to innovate and refine our technology, our specifications will evolve. We're committed to constantly pushing the boundaries and raising the bar.

*Peak output is calculated using “industry standard” techniques. These calculation methods create theoretical specifications that are inflated over what can actually be achieved. BASSBOSS real world output specifications are provided as “Maximum Sustained Output” ratings, which reflect actual measured, continuous output levels.
Deep Dive
Product = Primo

Why the SSP218-MK3?


You're a road warrior. Your gear works hard, and it has to work harder than you! The SSP218-MK3 is the subwoofer-for-all-reasons subwoofer. If you're moving gear in a semi, a box truck or a trailer, the SSP218-MK3 is going to make your life easier. Truck-pack sized in every dimension, the SSP218-MK3 is perfect for rolling in, rocking the roof off, or down, and then rolling out before the smoke clears.

If you're not rolling large, you can still benefit from what the SSP218-MK3 is and does, being a top-tier tour-grade subwoofer providing high-SPL and low frequencies, all the while knowing that it's a building block for much bigger things. No equalization is required to achieve this response. Unlike designs that require equalization, the SSP218-MK3 tone, response and sensitivity are native to the design. Systems that require processing to achieve their stated response are still subject to the physical excursion and thermal limits of their drivers.

Boosting low-frequency EQ to achieve extended low-frequency response results in excessive distortion or woofer damage at full power unless limiting is applied. The limiting necessary to prevent failure also prevents the realization of their claimed frequency response at full power. Ideally suited for use as a professional touring subwoofer, its truck-pack dimensions are compatible with 90-inch and 96-inch truck widths and up to four boxes can be stacked and transported on a single dolly cart.

This allows 16 subwoofers and their 64,000 watts of amplification to be transported in as little as 5 feet of a 96-inch wide truck space or 12 boxes and 48,000 Watts in 4 feet of 90-inch truck space. On their custom-fit wheel carts with locking casters, stacks of 2 or 3 SSP218-MK3 can be rolled into place and used without the need to remove them from their carts. For added flexibility, the SSP218-MK3 can be stacked on their carts facing forwards or in cardioid configuration.

Philosophy = Principled

Straight Specs


At BASSBOSS we believe in power, precision, and practicality. While others in the industry may rely on theoretical calculations or skewed metrics, we provide real-world performance measurements. Performance claims that can't be met are worse than irrelevant, they are deceptive.

If you compare our specs to many in the loudspeaker industry, our specifications might seem rather unimpressive. That's certainly not because the products are underperforming, it's because we choose to tell you the truth instead of marketing hype. We bring you the reality of what our products can actually deliver in real-world conditions. We believe that should matter most to anyone who actually lives in the real world.

Many manipulate data in order to paint an exaggeratedly rosy picture of their products. Things like calculating peak output instead of measuring it, or quoting peak output figures based on output at frequencies outside the operational range of the loudspeaker, or quoting output that's achieved without the necessary processing having been applied. These methods churn out inflated specifications that don't match up to any actual, achievable levels. At BASSBOSS, we like to keep it real. We provide our “Maximum Measured Output" ratings, reporting the levels that we have actually measured our products reaching, and that's with all the filters and limiters in place, exactly the way you receive them. In our book, authenticity always wins.

Champion Components


Every single item in the BASSBOSS lineup echoes our unwavering dedication to superior quality. From the awe-inspiring capacity of our largest festival rigs to the compact portability of our smaller systems, each piece is crafted to meet the same standards, to be exceptional on its own merits. This guarantees that every beat you feel and every song you hear is delivered with the clarity, power and steadfast reliability that are the hallmarks of the BASSBOSS experience.

As part of our commitment to exceptional quality, BASSBOSS goes the extra mile to ensure the components we use are the very best in every application. The best, in this context, doesn't always mean the most exotic, the most expensive, or having the most impressive specifications. It means the best for that particular purpose. Factors like frequency response and efficiency have to be backed up with long-term consistency of performance, long-term reliability, and fitness for purpose. We source top-tier components, from the best-reputed suppliers in the industry, just like every other high-end loudspeaker manufacturer.

If there is a difference between BASSBOSS and the other buyers of these same premium components, it's in the expectations we have for our systems. We didn't grow up on rock-n-roll, we grew up in the age of electronic instruments, digital recordings and deep bass. The demand for more and more SPL at lower and lower frequencies isn't something we're trying to catch up with, it's something we've been leading for years. Those bigger competitors eventually try to build products to do what we do when the demand gets big enough for them to do it. Meanwhile, for years we've been building the products that created that demand. By the time you're able to buy anything similar from them, we're already making the next insanely powerful product they'll eventually try to compete with. They do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Deep Design


BASSBOSS is an investment into your creative identity. When you join the BASSBOSS Family you don't just get world-class audio equipment, you get something even more valuable: The BASSBOSS experience. Our products are designed for you to be able to make the most of them from the moment you take them out of the box.

Each element is purposefully crafted. Everything has a reason and a purpose, and that purpose is to make getting consistently great results easy and trouble-free. Whether you're a sound enthusiast or an audio professional, BASSBOSS lets you take control, effortlessly. To begin with, it's as simple as plug-and-play. No complicated setups, no fiddling around with complex controls. Connect directly to your mixer with just a signal cable, switch on, and the BASSBOSS experience means you're ready to deliver powerful soundscapes that move your audience.

Your sound, your way. Our Digital Signal Processing is comprehensive yet accessible. With a variety of inter-compatible presets and the ability to seamlessly switch between them, you can adjust and fine-tune your sound with just the touch of a button, or, if you prefer, the click of a mouse. Everything you need, nothing you don't. The integrated processing allows you to make changes so you can achieve the sound balance you want. And if you're wondering, no, it doesn't allow you to make changes that shouldn't be made, of the type that could cause damage or a deterioration of quality. One more benefit of the experience.

Craftsmanship = Consummate

Prodigious Power


The SSP218-MK3 features 5000W of amplification, with an auto-sensing, globally compatible power supply that can run on input voltages anywhere between 90 and 250 Volts. Full output power is available on anything over 110V. The amplifier's peak-output voltage provides intense, high SPL hits while its continuous output is unparalleled in its ability to deliver sustained lows. The amplifier is passively cooled via its external heat sink and by woofer-generated air flow through the port. When necessary, four blower fans will engage to provide additional forced-air cooling capacity in more extreme conditions.

Every BASSBOSS product comes equipped with amplification, and in every case, a generous supply of power is provided. Headroom is the term used to describe the power that's still available when the sound is at the level required, and the BASSBOSS amps provide ample headroom. While it's necessary to have limiters in the DSP to prevent driver overload, those limiters aren't there to prevent amplifier clipping. There is enough power in every product to reach its maximum SPL without the risk of clipping the amplifier.

In other words, the amplifier is never the bottleneck in delivering powerful low frequencies, dynamic impact and clear sound. This abundant power capacity not only keeps overheating at bay but also eliminates the potential for damage caused by clipping an underpowered amp. With BASSBOSS, you've got the power to keep your sound pumping.

Thumping Transducers


Amplifier power is converted into the much more desirable acoustical power by two high-efficiency, neodymium motor, 18-inch woofers with 4-inch (100mm) voice coils. Neodymium magnets are lighter, and their higher intensity provides higher efficiency, so the result is a lighter and louder cabinet than those with ferrite drivers. Our split-wound woofer coils create a more consistent force throughout the cone's range of movement, minimizing distortion and enhancing linearity at peak output.

The protection systems involve several techniques running simultaneously to effectively prevent thermal overload of the voice coils and limit excessive excursion. Reducing thermal saturation not only prevents burned voice coils, it also minimizes long-term thermal compression. Due to the sophistication of these multiple, independent yet simultaneous processes, the drivers can be protected while the actions of the limiters have virtually no noticeable effect on the transient response of the loudspeaker. Peak output can be achieved consistently, repeatedly and safely.

We understand that real-life situations can sometimes be messy. That's why we've waterproofed our cones to withstand accidental exposure to moisture – whether it's an unexpected rain shower or a spilled drink.

Choice Cabinets


The SSP218-MK3 is a vented, direct radiating subwoofer, optimally tuned to provide flat frequency response to 30Hz with high sensitivity. The cabinet is extensively braced and rigid. The extremely versatile and capable SSP218-MK3 is particularly well-suited to rapid deployment and touring duty thanks to its convenient dimensions and transport options.

The SSP218-MK3 remains reliable and sustains its output long-term thanks to the combination of extremely rugged, very high power handling, long excursion drivers, carefully optimized cabinet and port design, and several effective but transparent protection systems. The protection systems effectively prevent thermal overload of the voice coils and minimize long-term thermal compression while having virtually no effect on the transient response and peak output of the loudspeaker. Very high output, low-frequency sound with extremely low distortion. The SSP218-MK3 sub is optimized for full-power operation and is designed to operate at full-rated RMS power throughout its operating range while the woofers remain within their X-max specification.

BASSBOSS cabinets are designed to endure for a very long time. Built from robust Birch plywood, our construction process involves precise dado joints, cleverly integrated bracing, and cutting-edge adhesives to create sturdy, rigid cabinets that stand the test of time. With a little care in handling, and especially with the use of the BASSBOSS carts and covers, BASSBOSS cabs can look new years down the line, even after many demanding environments and less-than-ideal locations.

The cabinets are protected by a rugged black polyurea coating that's specially formulated to bond to wood. Amplifiers are recessed into the back of the cabinets, safeguarding them from impact damage, with the cabinet recesses also functioning as structural braces. Powder-coated, perforated steel grilles protect the woofers. Every effort is made to create a physical enclosure that will stand up to whatever you throw at it, giving you years and years of solid service.

MK3 = Monumental

Processing Perfection


Proprietary DSP design techniques are at the core of the BASSBOSS line. Every BASSBOSS product features dedicated and integrated signal processing. Proprietary measurement and processing systems allow BASSBOSS products to deliver superior performance and value compared to others of similar size, price or coverage. The innovative, sophisticated protection in the DSP allows the drivers to run louder and longer and remain reliable. The nature of the processing, along with the proprietary limiters, allows the speakers to maintain their character and sound quality to a level higher than you might believe possible.

The protection systems involve several techniques running simultaneously to effectively prevent thermal overload of the voice coils and limit excessive excursion. Due to the sophistication of these multiple, independent yet simultaneous processes, the drivers can be protected while the actions of the limiters have virtually no noticeable effect on the transient response of the loudspeaker. Reducing thermal saturation not only prevents burned voice coils, it also minimizes long-term thermal compression. Peak output can be achieved consistently, repeatedly and safely.

Insane Improvements


The MK3 series, available now, brings an upgraded DSP with an immense boost in processing power. Operating at a sampling rate of 96kHz, it delivers double the resolution of its predecessors, resulting in increased fidelity and a lower noise floor.

The MK3 series doesn't stop there. It provides you with eight meticulously tailored preset alignments, all readily available at the click of a button. Further improving your user experience, the system now enables immediate preset switching with zero signal dropouts, ensuring smooth transitions even if you choose to make preset changes during performances.

This is where excellence meets simplicity: our systems can be connected directly to your mixer, requiring nothing more than a signal cable for you to have all the control you need to achieve great sound. The eight directly accessible presets are compatible with all the presets in all MK3 Boxes and are also compatible with previous generation tops and subs.

For those who need more control, there is more available.

Functionality Fortified


The new DSP features an Ethernet interface. Connecting via the ControlBASS software offers remote control and monitoring from a computer, and allows access to essentially unlimited presets through updates and new releases. With a computer connected, the MK3 DSP features access to a storage capacity of up to 100 on-board presets.

Within the software, multiple cabinets can be grouped together, allowing them to respond to commands simultaneously. This permits the levels of multiple loudspeakers to be adjusted together, and yet independently from the levels of other groups of loudspeakers. In addition to individual and grouped level controls, presets can be loaded and signal levels and temperatures can be monitored.

The MK3 series further expands its functionality with an integrated 2-port network switch, enabling cascaded LAN configurations to easily group loudspeakers for centralized control, making the MK3 series the ultimate tool for taking the reins of your sound experience.

Our systems are designed to grow with you. Want to add more BASSBOSS products to your setup? With inter-compatible tops and subs, cascading LAN configurations, network switches and ControlBASS software, expansion is a breeze. System simplicity, scalability, and sonic excellence: The experience becomes yours.

Photos
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Docs
SSP218-MK3 Cut Sheet
File Size :
712.4 kB
SSP218-MK3 Owner's Manual
File Size :
529.9 kB
BASSBOSS Product Catalog 2023
File size: 3.92 MB
Subwoofer Error Codes
File size: 91.5 Kb
BASSBOSS - Warranty
File size: 99.3 Kb
Power Pass-through Cable Connection Guide
File size: 1.16 MB