1. Product Overview
The Blastking ROCKET18 is an 18-inch, high-output woofer designed for professional audio applications. With a peak power handling of 3200 Watts and an RMS power of 1600 Watts, this woofer delivers immense, earth-shaking bass, making it ideal for PA systems, DJ setups, and bass cabinets. Its robust construction, featuring a carbon-fiber cone and a 4.5-inch fiberglass voice coil, ensures durability and high performance in demanding environments.
Figure 1: Front angled view of the Blastking ROCKET18 woofer, showcasing its red frame and carbon-fiber cone.
Key Features:
- Immense, Earth-Shaking Bass: Engineered for powerful low frequencies, providing a commanding audio punch for live events and subwoofer systems.
- Built Tough for Rigorous Use: Features a durable carbon-fiber cone and a robust fiberglass voice coil for resilience in high-performance setups.
- Amplifier-Smart Efficiency: High sensitivity reduces strain on your amplifier, promoting clean and cool system operation.
- Broad, Musical Frequency Response: Delivers smooth coverage from 38Hz to 1800Hz, enhancing both deep bass and midrange articulation.
- Easy Replacement & Upgrade: Standard 18-inch size and 8-ohm impedance allow for straightforward integration into existing cabinets.
2. What's Included
Upon unboxing your Blastking ROCKET18, please ensure all components are present and in good condition.
- One (1) BLASTKING ROCKET18 18-inch Woofer
3. Installation and Setup
3.1 Mounting Considerations
The ROCKET18 woofer is designed for flush mounting into a suitable speaker cabinet. Ensure the cabinet is robust enough to handle the woofer's weight and power output. Refer to the Technical Specifications section for precise mounting dimensions, including overall diameter, baffle cut-out diameter, and depth.
Figure 2: Top-down view of the Blastking ROCKET18 woofer, showing the carbon-fiber cone and mounting holes.
3.2 Wiring Connections
Proper wiring is crucial for optimal performance and to prevent damage to your woofer and amplifier. The ROCKET18 has an 8-ohm nominal impedance. Always ensure your amplifier is stable at this impedance or higher when connecting multiple woofers.
- Identify Terminals: The woofer features clearly marked positive (+) and negative (-) terminals.
- Speaker Wire: Use high-quality speaker wire of appropriate gauge for the length of the run and power levels.
- Polarity: Connect the positive (+) terminal of the woofer to the positive (+) output of your amplifier, and the negative (-) terminal of the woofer to the negative (-) output of your amplifier. Maintaining correct polarity across all speakers in your system is essential for proper phase and sound quality.
- Secure Connections: Ensure all connections are tight and secure to prevent signal loss or short circuits.
Figure 3: Side and angled views of the ROCKET18 woofer, highlighting the speaker terminals for wiring connections.
4. Operating Instructions
4.1 Connecting to an Amplifier
The ROCKET18 is a passive woofer and requires an external amplifier to operate. Ensure your amplifier's power output matches the woofer's power handling capabilities (1600W RMS, 3200W Program Power) and that its impedance rating is compatible with the woofer's 8-ohm impedance.
- Power Matching: Using an amplifier with insufficient power can lead to clipping and damage to the woofer. An amplifier with slightly more power than the woofer's RMS rating is often recommended to ensure clean headroom.
- Crossover Settings: For optimal performance and protection, use an external crossover or your amplifier's built-in crossover to filter out frequencies above the woofer's effective range (1800Hz). This ensures the woofer only reproduces the low frequencies it is designed for.
4.2 Optimal Performance
To achieve the best sound quality and longevity from your ROCKET18 woofer:
- Enclosure Design: The performance of any woofer is highly dependent on its enclosure. Ensure your cabinet is properly designed and tuned for an 18-inch subwoofer.
- Gain Staging: Properly set the gain levels on your amplifier and mixer to avoid distortion and protect the woofer from over-excursion.
- Environmental Factors: Avoid exposing the woofer to extreme temperatures, humidity, or direct sunlight.
5. Care and Maintenance
Regular care will help maintain the performance and appearance of your Blastking ROCKET18 woofer.
- Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe down the woofer's frame and cone. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.
- Inspection: Periodically inspect the speaker cone, surround, and dust cap for any signs of damage, tears, or punctures. Check the terminals for corrosion or loose connections.
- Storage: If storing the woofer for an extended period, keep it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Protect it from dust and physical impact.
- Transportation: When transporting the woofer, ensure it is securely packed to prevent movement and impact damage.
6. Troubleshooting
If you experience issues with your ROCKET18 woofer, refer to the following common problems and solutions:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No Sound Output | Loose or incorrect wiring connections Amplifier not powered on or faulty Crossover settings incorrect | Check all speaker wire connections for proper polarity and tightness. Verify amplifier power and functionality. Ensure crossover is set correctly, allowing low frequencies to pass to the woofer. |
| Distorted Sound | Amplifier clipping (overdriving) Woofer damaged Incorrect impedance matching | Reduce amplifier gain or volume. Ensure amplifier power matches woofer requirements. Inspect the woofer cone and surround for physical damage. Verify amplifier is stable at 8 ohms. |
| Low Output / Weak Bass | Incorrect polarity Insufficient amplifier power Improper enclosure design | Double-check speaker wire polarity (+ to + and - to -). Ensure amplifier provides adequate power for the woofer. Consult with an audio professional regarding cabinet design for optimal bass response. |
If the issue persists after attempting these solutions, please contact Blastking customer support.
7. Technical Specifications
Below are the detailed technical specifications for the Blastking ROCKET18 18-inch Woofer.
Figure 4: Official specification sheet for the Blastking ROCKET18, including general parameters, Thiele-Small parameters, mounting information, and physical dimensions.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Name | ROCKET18 |
| Speaker Type | Woofer |
| Mounting Type | Flush Mount |
| Nominal Basket Diameter | 457 mm / 18 inch |
| Nominal Impedance | 8 Ohm |
| Rated Power Handling (RMS) | 1600 Watts |
| Program Power (Peak) | 3200 Watts |
| Sensitivity (1W/1m) | 96.8 dB |
| Frequency Range | 38 Hz - 1800 Hz |
| Magnet Size | 150 Oz, 250x140x25 mm / 9.8x5.5x1 inch |
| Minimum Impedance | 6.8 Ohm |
| Voice Coil Diameter | 115 mm / 4.5 inch |
| Voice Coil Material | Fiberglass |
| Cone Material | Carbon Fiber |
| Net Weight | 17.5 kg / 38.6 lbs |
| Product Dimensions (WxDxH) | 510x510x280 mm / 20x20x11 inch |
| Bolt Circle Diameter | 464 mm / 18.26 inch |
| Overall Diameter | 440-447 mm / 17.3-17.6 inch |
| Baffle Cut-Out Diameter | 425 mm / 16.7 inch |
| Depth | 201 mm / 7.9 inch |
| UPC | 686811893682 |
| Manufacturer | Blastking |
| Recommended Uses | Party, Concert, Large-scale Events, Surround Sound Systems |
| Connectivity Technology | Wired |
Thiele-Small Parameters:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Fs (Resonance Frequency) | 38 Hz |
| Re (DC Resistance) | 6.8 ohm |
| Qms (Mechanical Q) | 3.3 |
| Qes (Electrical Q) | 0.45 |
| Qts (Total Q) | 0.39 |
| BL Factor | 26.7 T-m |
| Mms (Effective Moving Mass) | 196 gr |
| Vas (Equivalent Cas Air Load) | 243 liters |
| Sd (Piston Area) | 0.124 M² |
| Xmax (Maximum Linear Excursion) | 9 mm |
| Eff (Half-Space Efficiency) | 2.2 % |
8. Warranty and Support
8.1 Limited Warranty
The Blastking ROCKET18 woofer comes with a limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. Please retain your proof of purchase for warranty claims. For specific warranty terms and conditions, refer to the documentation provided with your product or visit the official Blastking website.
8.2 Customer Support
For technical assistance, troubleshooting, or warranty inquiries, please contact Blastking customer support. Have your product model (ROCKET18) and purchase information ready when contacting support.
You can find contact information on the official Blastking website or through your authorized dealer.
