Subwoofer Martin Audio Blackline Q118

Martin Audio Blackline Q118 is a professional subwoofer model from the famous audio brand Martin Audio (UK), famous for its ability to reproduce extremely deep and clean bass.

The Q-Series is the ideal choice for high-end stage, bar, club, or karaoke sound systems where high SPL performance, tight bass, good control and high durability are required.

Introducing the Martin Audio Blackline Q118 Subwoofer

Martin Audio Blackline Q118 is a high-end 18-inch subwoofer model from the famous British audio brand - Martin Audio, outstanding with the ability to create deep, strong bass and excellent control. Sophisticated design, powerful performance and the characteristic "British Sound" sound quality make Q118 an ideal choice for stages, halls, clubs, bars and professional karaoke systems.

Technical parameters of the product to consider:

• Model: Martin Audio Blackline Q118 – part of the Blackline Series, dedicated to performance sound and fixed installations. The Q series is famous for its accurate bass reproduction and high SPL, suitable for professional PA systems.
• Category: High performance 18 inch subwoofer – Using bass-reflex resonance box helps reproduce deeper, stronger and cleaner bass than conventional passive subwoofers.
• Driver: 18 inch (460mm) speaker, 4 inch (100mm) voice coil long excursion ferrite motor – Large coil structure provides good heat dissipation, low distortion, and high power compression, maintaining stable performance over long operating periods.
• Frequency response range: 38Hz – 100Hz (±3dB), -10dB @31Hz – demonstrates the ability to play deep and precise bass, suitable for vibrant music, EDM, live band or professional karaoke systems.
• Rated Power: 800W AES / 3200W Peak – AES (Audio Engineering Society) standard ensures real power, allowing the speaker to operate at high intensity without worrying about distortion or damage to the speaker.
• Maximum sound pressure level (SPL): 124dB continuous / 130dB peak / 136dB peak crest factor 4 – parameters show extremely strong hitting ability, suitable for large spaces or combined in sub array systems.
• Sensitivity: 95dB (1W/1m) – helps speakers save amplifier power, easy to match and ensure high volume without too much amplification.
• Nominal impedance: 8 Ohm – standard for easy matching with iKON, VIA or DX Controller amps, optimizing output power and avoiding mismatch.
• Dispersion: Omnidirectional – circular sound dispersion design, evenly spreading bass energy in all directions, very useful in club spaces or indoor stages.
• Speaker enclosure: High-quality plywood covered with black textured paint – Using 18mm birch plywood, anti-vibration, anti-resonance and good impact resistance, ensuring durability in a constantly moving environment.
• Protective grille: Perforated steel grille with scrim fabric inside – protects the speaker from dust and dirt, while optimizing the bass flow in and out, helping the bass sound smooth and not muffled.
• Connections: 3 x Neutrik NL4 Speakon: 2 ports (input/link A) on the bottom rear panel, 1 port (link B) on the top rear panel: Allows flexible parallel or chain connection, convenient when setting up a multi-sub array system.
• Mounting options: 16 x M10 inserts, M20 pole socket, 4 skids + recesses – supports speaker column mounting, wheel mounting, stacking, suitable for both fixed and mobile systems (touring setup).
• Weight: 45.5 kg – Balance between stable weight for solid bass and convenient mobility when adding M8 wheels.
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 530 x 606 x 690 mm – fits many spaces, easy to match with Martin Audio Blackline X12 or X15 full-range speakers.
• Electronics required: DX Controller (DX0.4, DX0.6, DX4.0) and iKON or VIA amplifier – Martin Audio DSP amplifier ecosystem, ensuring EQ, crossover, limiter, phase synchronization.
• Compatible: DX0.4, DX0.6, DX4.0, iKON amplifier, VIA amplifier – allows precise adjustment and protection of equipment, improving speaker life and system stability.

Outstanding features of Martin Audio Blackline Q118 Subwoofer

Martin Audio Blackline Q118 Subwoofer is the perfect combination of touring-standard mechanical design, powerful acoustic performance and outstanding durability of the Martin Audio (UK) brand.

This product is not only a subwoofer, but also the “bass heart” of many professional performance sound systems around the world. Below are the notable outstanding features:

• Deep, powerful and rich bass: Thanks to an 18-inch long-excursion driver and a 4-inch voice coil, the Q118 produces bass that reaches as deep as 31Hz (-10dB), delivering a powerful yet tightly controlled feeling.
• Outstanding SPL performance: A peak sound pressure level of 136dB SPL allows the Martin Audio Blackline Q118 to perform powerfully in stages, clubs or outdoor spaces. A crest factor of 4 proves the ability to handle peak sound without distortion.
• Optimized mechanical design for touring: The speaker cabinet is made from 18mm thick birch plywood, coated with black textured paint to resist scratches and moisture. Integrated handles, skids & recesses and 16 M10 threaded points for hanging, fixing or attaching wheels - for quick, neat and safe setup.
• Precise acoustic control: The bass-reflex port system is simulated by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to reduce air distortion (port noise), ensuring a stable air flow, for clean and tight bass.
• Easy pairing, synchronized Martin Audio ecosystem: Q118 is perfectly compatible with DX Controller (DX0.4, DX0.6, DX4.0) and DSP iKON amplifier, helping to align EQ, crossover, limiter, delay synchronously - protecting speakers, optimizing performance and linearity.
• Omnidirectional acoustic design: The 360° (omni) sound dispersion allows for even energy distribution throughout the space, making it ideal for pairing multiple Martin Audio Blackline Q118 subwoofers in a line array or mirror stack setup.
• Strong, refined British aesthetic: The front panel is covered with a thick perforated steel grille, with an acoustic scrim fabric layer that both protects and creates a luxurious, professional feel - suitable for both stages and permanent installations.
• High reliability in harsh operating environments: Every detail, from coil, spider, ferrite motor, to wooden cabinet and NL4 connector are tested according to international touring standards, helping the speaker operate stably for thousands of continuous hours.

Detailed review of Martin Audio Blackline Q118 Subwoofer

Bass performance & frequency response

Martin Audio Blackline Q118 impresses with its ability to handle deep and precise bass. With a frequency response range of 38Hz - 100Hz (±3dB) and a maximum SPL of 136dB, the speaker delivers a powerful, compact feel without distortion when operating at high power.

The 18-inch long-excursion speaker combined with the 4-inch ferrite voice coil helps the speaker membrane move stably at large amplitude, maintaining linearity and minimizing distortion. Even when operating in environments with high sound intensity, the Q118 still maintains the detail of each layer of bass, providing a powerful yet delicate sound experience.

Mechanical design & physical durability

The entire Martin Audio Blackline Q118 speaker cabinet is made from 18mm thick birch plywood, coated with scratch- and moisture-resistant black textured paint, ensuring superior durability when used outdoors or in performance environments. The front is protected by a perforated steel grille and scrim fabric, which both increases durability and helps the sound to escape evenly and without phase distortion.

The speaker body design integrates handles, stacking slots (skids & recesses) and 16 M10 thread points, allowing for flexible hanging or installation in a touring system. At 45.5kg, the Q118 is heavy enough to produce solid bass but still convenient to move, especially when adding M8 wheels at the bottom.

Sound quality & control

The Martin Audio Blackline Q118's sound is distinctly British — energetic, smooth, yet powerful. The bass-reflex port system is modeled and optimized using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) to reduce wind noise, limit distortion, and keep the bass flowing smoothly without any background hum.

The omnidirectional design allows the bass to spread evenly 360°, allowing listeners in all positions to feel the uniformity of the bass range. When combined with the iKON DSP amplifier or DX Series controller, the speaker demonstrates clear phase alignment and frequency balance, providing natural, clear sound with absolute control.

System integration and expansion capabilities

One of the strengths of the Martin Audio Blackline Q118 is its flexibility in combining in many different sound configurations. The speaker is equipped with 3 Neutrik NL4 ports, allowing for easy parallel or chain connection, convenient when setting up a multi-sub array system.

The Martin Audio Blackline Q118 Subwoofer is perfectly compatible with devices in the Martin Audio ecosystem, especially the DX0.4, DX0.6, DX4.0 Controller and iKON or VIA amplifier, ensuring the signal path is precisely processed in terms of EQ, crossover, delay and limiter. When combined with the Blackline X12 or X15 models, the Q118 creates a solid, in-phase bass range, and harmonizes with the entire PA system.

Applications of Martin Audio Blackline Q118 Subwoofer

The Martin Audio Blackline Q118 Subwoofer is a professional 18-inch subwoofer designed to meet the needs of reproducing powerful, deep and accurate bass for a variety of sound systems.

With its high SPL performance, 360° bass dispersion and outstanding stability, the Q118 is suitable for both fixed and portable systems, from small stages to international touring PA systems. Typical applications for the Martin Audio Blackline Q118 include:

• Professional stage and hall sound system.
• High-class bar, club, lounge.
• High-end karaoke system for home and business.
• Mobile events – outdoor performances.
• Cinema, recording studio, art space.
• Professional line array or sub array system.

Where to buy genuine, reliable Martin Audio Blackline Q118 Subwoofer?

Phuc Truong Audio is the leading professional audio distributor and installer in Vietnam, trusted by many customers when choosing genuine Martin Audio products. With more than 10 years of experience in the field of sound and lighting, Phuc Truong Audio not only provides equipment, but also brings comprehensive audio solutions, optimized according to each customer's actual usage needs.

At Phuc Truong Audio showroom, customers can experience the Martin Audio Blackline Q118 Subwoofer in person, set up, tested and consulted by a team of technicians to combine with amplifiers, digital echo, full-range speakers to achieve the highest performance. All products are genuine imports, have clear stamps, serial numbers, full CO/CQ documents and warranty according to Martin Audio UK standards.

In addition, Phuc Truong Audio also supports customers:

• In-depth sound configuration consulting (karaoke, stage, bar, lounge, hall...).
• On-site installation – free system calibration.
• 12-month warranty policy - long-term after-sales service.
• Support 0% installment payment via credit card or HD Saison.

Frequently asked questions about Martin Audio Blackline Q118 Subwoofer

1. Is the Martin Audio Blackline Q118 Subwoofer suitable for high-end karaoke systems?

Yes. The Martin Audio Blackline Q118 is designed with a low frequency range of 38Hz – 100Hz and a maximum SPL of 136dB, providing deep, tight, and energetic bass reproduction — perfect for high end karaoke system need strong bass and no distortion.

2. Which amplifier should be paired with the Martin Audio Blackline Q118 subwoofer for best performance?

To get the most out of the 800W AES / 3200W peak power, it is recommended to use Martin Audio amplifier iKON or VIA amplifier, combined with DX Controller (DX0.4, DX0.6, DX4.0) to optimize EQ, crossover and limiter. This combination helps Martin Audio Blackline Q118 operate stably, well control the phase and linearity of the sound.

3. What speakers can the Martin Audio Blackline Q118 be paired with in a full-range system?

The Q118 pairs perfectly with other Blackline Series models such as Blackline X12, Blackline X15, or the Blackline X210 in a line array system. When properly combined with phase and delay, the system produces a full, consistent sound that meets professional performance standards.

4. Can Martin Audio Blackline Q118 speakers be used for outdoor stages?

Absolutely. With touring-grade birch plywood enclosures, textured paint finishes, and SPLs up to 136dB, the Martin Audio Blackline Q118 can withstand harsh environments. The omnidirectional design also provides even bass coverage, making it perfect for stage sound system, hall sound, fairs, mobile events or outdoor performances.