3-way vs 2-way speakers. Can 2-way speakers sound just as good as or better than 3-way speakers?

[Chromatischism]

- KH420
- KH310
- 8341, 51, 61
- Kali SM5C
- Kef R3 Meta
- Kef Ref1 Meta
Need I go on?

I don't think the KEF R3 Meta is as good. And maybe not the Reference 1, either.

But we can't include DSP speakers in this, guys, unless the passive speakers under discussion also get DSP.

 

[dfuller]

I don't think the KEF R3 Meta is as good. And maybe not the Reference 1, either.

But we can't include DSP speakers in this, guys, unless the passive speakers under discussion also get DSP.

As the 150? It's about on par wrt flatness of response, it's better behaved off axis, and distortion is pretty excellent too.

 

[sigbergaudio]

There are many factors involved. The results are what count. There is no 3 way monitor that is as good as the two way Neumann KH150. Study Amir's measurements here on ASR.

Feels like you are falling in the trap of assuming the measurements tell you everything, and flat response is all that matters.

 

[dfuller]

Feels like you are falling in the trap of assuming the measurements tell you everything, and flat response is all that matters.

He also is, to be entirely honest, a bit of a Neumann fan.

 

[kharan]

He also is, to be entirely honest, a bit of a Neumann fan.

Even then, the KH 420 is better in every conceivable way, shape or form in terms of performance.

 

[Flaesh]

To be precise, a fan of the KH150))

 

[LSPhil]

There’s a common misconception in hi-fi circles that the size of a two-way speaker is defined by its woofer. In truth, it’s the tweeter that sets the boundaries specifically, its lowest usable crossover frequency. That, in turn, dictates how large the bass driver can realistically be while maintaining coherent integration.
Once you go beyond 8 inches for the woofer, you’re generally stepping outside the realm of what a two-way system can handle effectively. The physics simply don’t favour it. Of course, there are exceptions, some manufacturers, like Dayton Audio or perhaps Profipuri (if I’ve got the name right), produce drivers capable of an impressive 14mm of linear excursion. That’s no small feat, and it certainly helps extend bass response in compact designs.
But let’s be honest: even with that kind of engineering, there’s only so much a two-way can reproduce faithfully. For full-range, dynamic playback especially at higher volumes or with complex material you really need a three-way system to take over where the two-way leaves off

 

[kharan]

There’s a common misconception in hi-fi circles that the size of a two-way speaker is defined by its woofer. In truth, it’s the tweeter that sets the boundaries specifically, its lowest usable crossover frequency. That, in turn, dictates how large the bass driver can realistically be while maintaining coherent integration.
Once you go beyond 8 inches for the woofer, you’re generally stepping outside the realm of what a two-way system can handle effectively. The physics simply don’t favour it. Of course, there are exceptions, some manufacturers, like Dayton Audio or perhaps Profipuri (if I’ve got the name right), produce drivers capable of an impressive 14mm of linear excursion. That’s no small feat, and it certainly helps extend bass response in compact designs.
But let’s be honest: even with that kind of engineering, there’s only so much a two-way can reproduce faithfully. For full-range, dynamic playback especially at higher volumes or with complex material you really need a three-way system to take over where the two-way leaves off

This is certainly the case for a lot of designs.

At the same time, a horn and a compression driver can extend the lower useable crossover of the tweeter a lot. The Genelec S360a and the JBL M2 use respectively 10 and 15 inches woofers.

Another example that comes to mind is the Superwax Mini, which also uses a 15 inch driver. It seems to be a very good speaker unit if the manufacturer's specs are to be believed.

 

[jEDGEc0m]

For full-range, dynamic playback especially at higher volumes or with complex material you really need a three-way system to take over where the two-way leaves off

or 2-way with big n deep waveguide and compression driver.

eg: JBL 4367. Call that pretty close to full range enough. if you shove it against a wall. 700hz crossover. horizontal directivity pretty decent. almost kinda cardioid looking from about >100hz?

 

[Heinrich]

or 2-way with big n deep waveguide and compression driver.

eg: JBL 4367. Call that pretty close to full range enough. if you shove it against a wall. 700hz crossover. horizontal directivity pretty decent. almost kinda cardioid looking from about >100hz?

I owe you a corrected version, 900Hz at distance 240mm:

The 1dB dip at on-axis ist deliberately chosen as to widen the dispersion upwards to about +60° (-6dB as usual). That's pretty good. The horn will narrow this down to about +30° given its own directivity, not modelled here. The lobe downwards will be much lower in amplitude due to the woofer's and the hrorn's directivity again. I revoke my caveat. But a measurement of the fact would be nice also.

 

[jEDGEc0m]

I owe you a corrected version, 900Hz at distance 240mm:

View attachment 477650
The 1dB dip at on-axis ist deliberately chosen as to widen the dispersion upwards to about +60° (-6dB as usual). That's pretty good. The horn will narrow this down to about +30° given its own directivity, not modelled here. The lobe downwards will be much lower in amplitude due to the woofer's and the hrorn's directivity again. I revoke my caveat. But a measurement of the fact would be nice also.

I'm not sure I understand, but thanks!

That JBL 4367 15" has been spino-measured by the Erin of the corner of audio.

JBL 4367 Studio Monitor Speaker Review

JBL 4367 Review

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

 

[tineared]

My speakers are four-way, so I guess you know where I stand in this discussion

 

[Moonlightshadow]

2way in principle has higher IMD, 3way in principle has more phase shift, especially with a non-fixed listening position.

 

[Flaesh]

I have a two-way three-band system with a mono two-channel (one channel is inaudible) subwoofer. That is, like [quasi] 4 bandss. I think I'll keep quiet .