About: CT Sounds HYDRO-12 12" 500W RMS Shallow Mount Subwoofer
CT Sounds is proud to introduce the hydro shallow mount subwoofer series after completing a rigorous R&D process spanning 2 years! Our goal was to engineer a 500-watt 12” shallow-mount subwoofer with a mounting depth below 4.5” that was suitable for both sealed & ported enclosures. To achieve this, we focused on the EBP (Efficiency Bandwidth Product). As a general rule, EBP 100, is used only for ported enclosures. EBP = FS/QES.
Our 1st prototype utilized a 61.1 mm voice coil & 75 oz magnet resulting in a high QES rating of 0.89 and low EBP of 37.87. The 2nd prototype utilized a 50.8 mm voice coil & 75 oz magnet resulting in a slightly lower QES rating of 0.716 and a slightly higher EBP of 47.07. After the 1st and 2nd prototypes, we determined a larger motor assembly was needed to provide a more controlled electrical system (lower QES). This led us to invest in a custom-tooled basket (used in the final prototype) to keep the mounting depth below 4.5”.
The 3rd and final prototype uses a 61.1 mm voice coil & 92 oz magnet resulting in a reduced QES rating of 0.490 and a balanced EBP of 70.73. In testing, we ran into mechanical noise due to the larger motor assembly and voice coil in a confined space. Therefore, we invested in a custom-tooled cone to maximize the excursion capability by creating an equal distance between the cone, spider, and bottom plate. The result is a 12” shallow-mount subwoofer that is extremely responsive in both sealed & ported enclosures.
Product Highlights:
RMS Power: 500 Watts
MAX Power: 1000 Watts
Voice Coil Configuration: Dual 2 Ohm (D2) or Dual 4 Ohm (D4)
Use Cases: Sealed & Ported Enclosures
Specifications:
Product Type: Car Subwoofer
Subwoofer Size: 12"
Voice Coil Configuration: Dual 2 Ohm (D2) or Dual 4 Ohm (D4)
RMS Power: 500 Watts
MAX Power: 1000 Watts
Voice Coil Type: 2.40 Inch - 4 Layer High-Temperature Copper Voice Coil
Magnet Type: Y35
Bottom Plate Type: Low Carbon Iron
Surround Type: Dual White Stitched Competition Mega Foam Surround
Cone Type: Composite Paper with 3% Carbon Fiber Reinforcement
Tinsel Lead Type: Single Braided Flat Copper Tinsel Leads
Terminal Type: 12 Gauge Push Terminals
Basket Type: Stamped Steel
Spider Material: Poly-Cotton Blend
Thiele & Small Parameters
D2
D4
Electrical Factor (Qes)0.4900.526
Mechanical Factor (Qms)5.8505.444
Total Factor (Qts)0.4530.480
Free Air Resonance (Fs)34.66 Hz36.84 Hz
Equivalent Volume (Vas)38.150 L36.150 L
Mechanical Mass (Mms)204.701 g191.187 g
Mechanical Compliance (Cms)0.103 m/N00.97 m/N
DC Resistance (Re)3.9 Ω6.4 Ω
BL Factor (BL)18.820 Tm22.15 Tm
Cone Area (Sd)510.7 cm²510.7 cm²
Excursion (one way) (Xmax)11 mm11 mm
Sensitivity (SPL)87.14 dB87.40 dB
Subwoofer Measurements:
Cutout Diameter: 11.10"
Overall Diameter: 12.79"
Mounting Depth: 4.52"
Box Specifications:
Displacement: 0.065 ft3
Box Recommendations:
Sealed: 0.75 ft3
Ported: 1.5 ft3
Tuning Frequency: 32 Hz
Port Area: 24 in2
*Enclosure recommendations do not account for subwoofer, bracing, and port displacement.
