• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

3 way speaker systems

vheintz

vheintz

Member
Growing up in the 80's I remember three-way speaker systems being very common. when I say common, I'm talking about circuit city, department store, etc... common. Since I didn't have the money or know of anyone with anything else, that's all I knew. And I don't remember subwoofers being part of the typical line up. I remember 10's and 12's being very common in the 3-way speaker system. Were these only popular in the consumer grade models or were higher end models using three ways as well. Being new to high end audio and really don't even own what would be considered high end I'm looking to upgrade to something better. I'm finding that a lot of manufacturers are gearing their products toward surround sound equipment. Is this one reason why three ways are not common anymore or are there better alternatives available now. I also don't like subwoofers in the mix. I like the idea of having the bass balanced with 2 channels.
 
Register to hide this ad
That is a very good question, @vheintz, and I'm thinking along the same lines as you. I remember how it was sold to us at the time. Bass is directionless, so why not remove the heavy lifting load from the amplifier by using powered sub-woofers! This meant that they could easily drive 5 or 7 2-way mids and highs units. The sub takes the majority of the load.

I experimented with sub woofers for a while, and didn't like the results in my music systems. I could hear the sub and it sounded off. So I use large speakers and I'm happy. :music:
 
vheintz said:
Growing up in the 80's I remember three-way speaker systems being very common. when I say common, I'm talking about circuit city, department store, etc... common. Since I didn't have the money or know of anyone with anything else, that's all I knew. And I don't remember subwoofers being part of the typical line up. I remember 10's and 12's being very common in the 3-way speaker system. Were these only popular in the consumer grade models or were higher end models using three ways as well. Being new to high end audio and really don't even own what would be considered high end I'm looking to upgrade to something better. I'm finding that a lot of manufacturers are gearing their products toward surround sound equipment. Is this one reason why three ways are not common anymore or are there better alternatives available now. I also don't like subwoofers in the mix. I like the idea of having the bass balanced with 2 channels.
Click to expand...

As I recall, the 3-way was an answer to lack of voice for some model 2 ways that did not have the presence in the vocal range. Thus a midrange speaker coupled with the right crossover would give you that full spectrum of reproduction. Given a proven record, I have always thought 3-ways to be superior in this area and usually able to accommodate higher power ranges as well. One drawback is the design calls for larger and therefore heavier cabinets, making placement more challenging if room setup is limited. Otherwise, I think most two ways provide satisfactory audio for limited/moderate sound systems.
As for the "sub", feeling bass as well as hearing it, there is no substitute.. just ask whales :dunno:
 
2 subs are twice the sub that I don't like. they always sound too deep and muddy, and the punch of a kick drum seems to be lost,
 
and that could be a result of lower quality equipment I just haven't had enough experience to really prove or disprove
 
Some three ways I can recommend because I've had them are; Kef 104/2, 105, Concerto, Celestion Ditton 44s, 66s, Sony GS7, Technics SB-7000, SB-L300, Tangent RS8, etc.
 
vheintz said:
2 subs are twice the sub that I don't like. they always sound too deep and muddy, and the punch of a kick drum seems to be lost,
Click to expand...

You had crappy subs or didn't have them adjusted properly, possibly both.

How could a designer make a 3 way with the only variable being the crossover better than a separate driver with adjustable crossover and gain, and placement options?
 
opnly bafld said:
You had crappy subs or didn't have them adjusted properly, possibly both.

How could a designer make a 3 way with the only variable being the crossover better than a separate driver with adjustable crossover and gain, and placement options?
Click to expand...
good point. I have low end equipment so what would I know.
 
vheintz said:
and that could be a result of lower quality equipment I just haven't had enough experience to really prove or disprove
Click to expand...
Subs that are of quality and properly set up will be a huge step up from a sub-less system, all things equal.

As for the 3way design, I think it it comes down to a few things…

Marketing. Many think it is “better,” but really, 2 drivers or even 1 driver that is flat across the desired frequency response is better. Problem is, it gets expensive as driver quality has to go up big time to keep high power handling and cover, let’s say, 1000hz to 20,000hz, which is what a hf driver would “really” need to do in a 2 way. So, given the cost of a proper 2 way and the perception of 3 ways being better, many manufacturers of consumer grade gear stuck with 3 ways.
 
That's a lot of questions that can be answered in various ways.
I'd start by pointing out that what is common isn't necessarily the best. It is easy to slap a 12 inch driver, a midrange and a tweeter in a box and get lots of sound, and some deep bass out of it. And customers will like the perceived value of three drivers. But for a set price, a well designed two way may sound better - one less driver means that more can be spent on the other two, and less complicated crossovers have advantages in terms of dynamics, possibly phasing (since many midranges are out of phase), and again, price - fewer components can allow better ones. And shipping may be less, too.
In an ideal world, subwoofers wouldn't be necessary - we could all have large, inefficient, expensive speakers that reach down to the bottom on their own, but in the real world, a subwoofer may add considerably to the size, scale, and weight of a system's sound which would lack those qualities otherwise.
 
If you like things loud - like I do - there is also the added benefit of more power handling that the midrange driver in 3-ways brings.
I'm shootin a little from the hip here but I think the really nice 2-ways have the tweeter handle a lot of the spectrum and tweeters can't handle power like bigger drivers.
I've always felt it made more sense to tailor the size of the driver with the frequency range that it covered and I've always advocated for more drivers. But I know that also requires more complex crossovers.

As for subs or no subs, like another post said, in a perfect world we wouldn't need them or even want them. I finally got a powered sub (a B.I.C. F-12) and I have to say I was impressed at how seamlessly it combined with my system. It is very unobtrusive until it isn't.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom