Full range vs two-way or three-way
- Thread starter Dallas84
- Start date
Hard to beat a quality 2-way, but there's good and great in just about any design setup. A good 2-way can go pretty low, pretty high, and have beautiful vocals. 
TerryO
Super Member
Hard to beat a quality 2-way, but there's good and great in just about any design setup. A good 2-way can go pretty low, pretty high, and have beautiful vocals.
I agree, here's the last commercial design I was involved with. I did the initial prototype for Kevin. The Kepler is no longer available, but the photo is "exactly" like my personal pair. If you also read the contemporary reviews and measurements of the KEF and Usher speakers, it'll give you a little better insight into how they actually stacked up.
http://www.soundstage.com/diwhy/diwhy200804.htm
Best Regards,
TerryO
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aidynphoenix
Super Member
i dont think you could find a single driver that could compete with any of the really highly regarded speakers.
and to back that up..... the only well used full range driver that i see on here that people seem to like is the little white fostex driver.
and then all the other highly regarded speakers here are 2+ way designs. :yes:
i think with a single fullrange driver. the speakers sometimes have problems at the lowest and highest frequencys. and they cannot handle much abuse.
with 2 and 3 way speakers a crossover must be used to filter the sound to the particular drivers and idea. this can fill in the weak spots in the sound, but can also add more coloration and complexity to the design, and possibly reduce sound quality.
having never heard the best of each, i think 2 or 3 way is the best way for me.
if i listened to jazz or orchestrated music i might find a fullrange driver to be better sounding. but i listen to rock and electronic music.
so i need to be able to have heavy bass and lots of volume when im in the mood for it.
so i'l stick with 2 and 3 way..
and to back that up..... the only well used full range driver that i see on here that people seem to like is the little white fostex driver.
and then all the other highly regarded speakers here are 2+ way designs. :yes:
i think with a single fullrange driver. the speakers sometimes have problems at the lowest and highest frequencys. and they cannot handle much abuse.
with 2 and 3 way speakers a crossover must be used to filter the sound to the particular drivers and idea. this can fill in the weak spots in the sound, but can also add more coloration and complexity to the design, and possibly reduce sound quality.
having never heard the best of each, i think 2 or 3 way is the best way for me.
if i listened to jazz or orchestrated music i might find a fullrange driver to be better sounding. but i listen to rock and electronic music.
so i need to be able to have heavy bass and lots of volume when im in the mood for it.
so i'l stick with 2 and 3 way..
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barredowl
Before and after Science
Actually Aidy a kettle drum and large dynamic shifts in orchestral music at even semi realistic listening levels is even more demanding of a sub than electronica, I listen to both.
My preference is a good two way with a sub like my JBL 4408s with an M & K sub. It is clear clean and can do orchestral dynamics in a small space and also handle singer song writer music with the same good accurate sound. No complaints.
My preference is a good two way with a sub like my JBL 4408s with an M & K sub. It is clear clean and can do orchestral dynamics in a small space and also handle singer song writer music with the same good accurate sound. No complaints.
TerryO
Super Member
Well, you've left out several Lowther drivers, quite a few larger Fostex drivers, as well as several Audio Nivanas, Tangbands, CSS and Mark Audio's drivers. Not to mention the much lamented Radio Shack 1197, 1297 and 1354a drivers.
You're probably correct..."sometimes."
Given your experience, I believe you're right.
Please read what barredowl has posted a couple posts prior to this one. You seem to have gotten it..."backwards."
I've designed and built multiway and single driver speakers, so I think I'll rely on my own experience, but thank you just the same for your valuable insights.
Regards,
TerryO
TerryO
Super Member
Actually, you'll probably need several subwoofers (minimum of 3) with a well built 3-way. Why would you go to all that trouble (and expense?) just to end up with compromised bass, when you only need to go just a bit further?
I suggest you do an AK search for "Distributed Bass" for additional information.
Best Regards,
TerryO
TerryO
Super Member
no i dont care to dont need to. i dont need some artical to tell me something my ears tell me. what is a sub woofer it produces sounds under human hearing range sub audible. well if you got a well built speaker it should do the whole range well within +-3db. im not saying all 3 ways or 2 ways are like that but i would rather listen to a well built 3way design then a fullrange anytime.
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RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
I'm no fan of Bose (to put it mildly), but I am very intrigued by their tower speakers for pro use. They are "full range" but get away with it by having a LOT of drivers to help the bass. And even then they add a sub for full pa. I built a cheap version of it myself using a bunch of NEC speaker cabs. It worked REALLY well for my live band. But it was still worthless for deep bass. It also worked well in ways that are not relevant to home use - specifically, low change in SPL regardless of where you were in the crowd, and because they can be placed behind the musicians without feedback they negate the need for monitors. They basically make it sound unplugged, but loud, if that makes any sense.
But beyond that, forget about full range speakers except for some of the more esoteric stuff. Two ways (with a sub) are your best "deal" and even then you gotta be careful about the sub getting into the over 100 hz stuff.
But this is all opinion and this subject is subjective as he**. On any day notice how many people are viewing in the various subjects on this site. The speaker group ALWAYS has more people viewing. It's where the rubber meets the road.
barredowl
Before and after Science
"from what i hear all people use subs for is rattling their neighbors windows"
Just because some immature people use a sub or subs badly does not mean that is all a quality sub is capable of. In my system the sub is the difference between "pretty good," and very satisfying near live sound quality. It does take a couple days to get it to blend seamlessly with a woofer and an RTA helps in that a lot. And that's just one, would love to hear Dnewmans system.
To assume all subs are used like car audio or home theater people use them is an incorrect assumption.
Just because some immature people use a sub or subs badly does not mean that is all a quality sub is capable of. In my system the sub is the difference between "pretty good," and very satisfying near live sound quality. It does take a couple days to get it to blend seamlessly with a woofer and an RTA helps in that a lot. And that's just one, would love to hear Dnewmans system.
To assume all subs are used like car audio or home theater people use them is an incorrect assumption.
TerryO
Super Member
Actually, I shouldn't have gotten off topic and mentioned subwoofers. I can see that it bothers you to think about it, so for the good of both of us, we'll drop the whole subject right here.
Best Regards,
TerryO
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
We don't know what we don't know. - Donald Rumsfeld.
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
Oops. I brought up subs independently. I'll bow out now myself...
im not really saying they are bad if thats what you like then that what you like. i just belive a well built speaker weather its 2 way 3way or fullrange should not need sub reinforcment to play the full audio spectrum cleanly and uncolorized. like i said in my home theater i use a sub for the rumble in the movies like explosins.
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
But what about all that phase shifting in the passive crossovers, not to mention speaker placement/depth?
RobRoy
It's just stuff - but fun
I firmly agree. If money is no object.