2-way Vs. 3-Way
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Bronze Member Username: RlschneckPost Number: 12 Registered: Apr-04 | Hello everyone, First of all, thank you for all of the great advice you have given me over the past couple of days! Now I would like to know what is the difference between 2-way ans 3-way speakers? I have been shopping around and it seems that the 3-way are always more expensive, so i guess they are more sophisticated. But i have also seen posts on this site saying that 2-way is usually the better way to go. Can someone please explain? Thank you! |
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Gold Member Username: Project6Post Number: 1181 Registered: Dec-03 | 2 way, involves exactly what it says, 2 drivers. A high frequency driver and a mid bass driver. 3 way involves 3 drivers 1 bass or 2 midbass and 1 midrange and 1 high frequency. Any combination of 3 drivers to reproduce sound, in theory can put out a wider frequency range for better sound. It is economics after that, 3 drivers costs more money. 2 way or 3 way is a matter of choice, just because someone else prefer 2 way, does not meant that it will be yours. |
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ABC Unregistered guest | there's no difference between 2 , 2 1/2 or 3... it all sounds the same...btw i got 2 1/2 way and it sounds like all of the above |
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Bronze Member Username: ShankPittsburgh, PA Post Number: 16 Registered: Aug-04 | I've read other places, that "ideally" it would be best to find a 1-way speaker, then you have no need for a crossover and all the funny interactions between mutliple drivers. However, this obviously isn't practical. so from what little i've read, some ppl say 2-way is better cause you only have one crossover, but then you need the drivers to produce a greater frequency. In a 3-way, each driver only needs to produce a smaller amount of the frequency range, but then you have more crossovers and more funky interactions that can happen between the drivers. There should be some decent article discussing the importance and implications of crossover networks, but this is an interesting read (note that meadowlark manufacturers speakers, so take that into account): http://www.meadowlarkaudio.com/TC1.htm THis article is mostly about time coherence, but has some interesting tidbits on how crossovers can affect things. |
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Bronze Member Username: CorneliusPost Number: 37 Registered: Jun-04 | HA! Someone else has found the Meadowlark page. There are some good tidbits in there. I've mentioned this in other threads, and one of the best systems I ever heard had a pair of Meadowlarks as the speakers. Now you know why Maui is always bragging about the GMA Europas. That design can really get you hooked - and it's not some kind of "showroom trick" - no over-emphasized frequencies or BS claims. |
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Silver Member Username: EdisonGlendale, CA US Post Number: 479 Registered: Dec-03 | I like the sound of 1 way since there is no electronics inside to degrade the sound, but the higher fr will be missing - sounds ok though to me. So enters a 2 way with a tweeter fir the high fr. I prefer this to 3-way for the same reason that less elctronics are involved. There are some satisfying 2 ways around for a reasonable amount like www.ascendacoustics.com or Green mountain Europas for more money. 3-ways are if you want the bass with your music - you can add a sub to 2 way also for the bass, but a good 3 way speaker also has a pleasan wide sound like the live sound. I wish I can give you a simple yes and no answere, but like many aspects of life audio is also more complicated than that - pros and cons to it all. These are your options in good sounding 1 and 2 ways. http://www.oldhifi.com/fostex.html http://www.ascendacoustics.com/ http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1095191236 |
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Anonymous | As a 2 way speaker plays louder it will struggle more than a 3 way this being down to the design (Mentioned above) because a good 3 way design has 3 drivers: bass, mid and treble. You don't get the same 'these speakers are straining feeling' at similar volumes. The soundstage is bigger as well. Bottom line if your going to play them loud in a big room get 3 ways. If your not fussed buy a 2 way. Or if you want to be different try horn speakers. |
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Bronze Member Username: ShankPittsburgh, PA Post Number: 17 Registered: Aug-04 | "As a 2 way speaker plays louder it will struggle more than a 3 way this being down to the design (Mentioned above) because a good 3 way design has 3 drivers: bass, mid and treble. You don't get the same 'these speakers are straining feeling' at similar volumes. The soundstage is bigger as well. Bottom line if your going to play them loud in a big room get 3 ways. If your not fussed buy a 2 way. Or if you want to be different try horn speakers. Add Your Message Here" You think that 3-way has more todo with a volume? I completely disagree. Have you ever listened or looked at klipsch's RF-line of speakers? They are all 2-way speakers and have plenty of volume. Just check out the sensitivities. |
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Anonymous | Shank, It's my opinion. You have yours, as for sensitivity claims don't beleive everything a salesman tells you. What I meant was due to the design of 3 ways they are capable of handling more power than a 2 way and not distorting the sound at higer volumes. Drive a 2 way with pair of 500watt per channel Krells in a 15 x 35m room and they will not sound as good as a 3 way of similar quality. (IMHO) I cannot comment on the klipsch's but i have listened to JMLAB utopia nova's oh and the LINN KOMRI (5 Way) I know which I'd go for...... |
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Bronze Member Username: ShankPittsburgh, PA Post Number: 18 Registered: Aug-04 | ok, i'm deffinetly not the most educated on home audio. I just never heard the argument of picking a 3-way cause of the better power handling :-) BUt that could just be due to my green thumb. But, you should listen to a pair of klipsch speakers, I really don't think their sensitivity claims are a fraud. They pump out pretty loud volume with little power. But ppl's biggest complaints i've observed for klipsch speakers are that they the highs can be a little bright and harsh and some ppl think they lack something in the midrange (this is where a 3-way maybe able to help). Regarding a 2-way vs 3-way, i think the original poster just has to go listen to the speakers they are considering. I wouldn't make a decision between a pair of speakers because one is 2-way and the other is 3-way. Their are pro's and con's to both. |
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Bronze Member Username: RlschneckPost Number: 13 Registered: Apr-04 | Thank you for all of the advice. I read that Meadowlark article, it was very informative, thank you! I was in New York yesterday and I went to canal street to see if i could find any bargains. I found a pair of Infinity Primus250's that the guy would sell for $300, which is relatively cheap i think. They also had a lot of Klipsch speakers, which looked really nice but i had never heard anything about them before. What do you guys think of infinity? Plus I have been shopping around for a while and it seems like the packaged systems are usually a better deal (price-wise). Thanks |
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Bronze Member Username: ShankPittsburgh, PA Post Number: 20 Registered: Aug-04 | What's your price constraints? And what do you want (full surround system, small bookshelfs, floorstanders)? And what are you wanting todo with the system (movies or music or just something to impress your friends with)? |
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Silver Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 485 Registered: Feb-04 | For a nice 1-way speaker check out the Konus Audio Essence. |
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Bronze Member Username: RlschneckPost Number: 14 Registered: Apr-04 | Well, the goal is to have a surround system, but i'm starting with the fronts. Price constraints? well, i did not know what i was getting into when i started looking around (i had no idea that it could cost so much) but i guess $400 max. i am actually in the market because my cat ruined the floorstanders that i had (she was climbing the front of them with her claws). so, i'm hesitant to get another pair of floorstanders, because the cat could ruin them again, but everytime i go to the stores i look at the bookshelf speakers and that just don't look like they could produce as good of a sound as the bigger floorstanders... so, i'm undecided. as for what i will be using them for... primarily movies, but also music. Further advice would be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks |
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Silver Member Username: LandrovalPost Number: 486 Registered: Feb-04 | Dont underestimate bookshelf speakers. My opinion is that under $2000/pair budget bookshelf speakers are better choices in most situations. Especially when you have a sub for the lower bass. |
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Anonymous | Schneck, Perhaps you should electrify the next set?  Only joking. A nice set of standmounts would quite possibly serve you well depending on your room size especially if your goal is to go surround. I agree with landroval at that price range you will get a better speaker for your money. Unfortunatly you'll have to include in the price a set of stands. A Monitor Audio B2 would be a nice choice combined with Attacama stands should be within your budget. Atleast you could put barbed wire round the bottom of the speakers to discourage unwanted claws!! |
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Bronze Member Username: RlschneckPost Number: 15 Registered: Apr-04 | thanks for the advice. barbed wire might not be a bad idea. Are monitor audio products commonly available. Can i go to a circuit city or best buy and find them, or is the internet a better avenue? Thanks, Ryan |
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Anonymous | Aaaaah....Ryan, I have know idea! I know they are available in the states but not coming from your neck of the woods I don't know. The internet is a good bet but don't just buy them, you may hate them! There must be some specialist audio shops in New York somewhere.... |
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Silver Member Username: GoldenarrowPost Number: 131 Registered: Jun-04 | Question, Just doing some more thinking about speakers, I have read up a little on the PSB Image speakers and they have this "2 1/2-way" design using two small woofers, the bottom woofer handling the lower frequencies and the upper woofer handling the higher frequencies, then a larger-than-normal tweeter to have a fairly low crossover for a tweeter. Is this a good design concept? Is it a good compromise between a 2 vs. 3-way system but also include problems with phase distortion or frequencies being uneven through the spectrum (because of the extra driver)? This design concept seems to be somewhat recent (last 4 years). Any opinions??? |
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Bronze Member Username: CorneliusPost Number: 40 Registered: Jun-04 | I've had a pair of Image series floorstanders, and comparing them to my studio monitors from work and my Ohms, they sound really compressed and bright. I'm not sure about tweeters doing so much work in the mid frequencies (I think that design will work better on more expensive speakers with higher quality components. That's one of the tradeoffs with cheaper floorstanders, as mentioned above). The tweeter on the Ohms doesn't kick in until about 8k. It's not the last word in resolution, but at the same time it's pretty good and not hyped in any way (sounds more natural to me). I'm not saying Ohms are great and psbs are terrible. psb makes some nice speakers, and others do things better than the Ohms, but in my room those have been my impressions. |
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Silver Member Username: EdisonGlendale, CA US Post Number: 481 Registered: Dec-03 | PSB is a really good canadian company, as monitor is also good - this one British. New-york must have a dealer that carries Monitor audio. Even some Good-Guys do. It won the recommended component in Stereophile magazine in the price range. You will like it better than infitity I think. |
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swampcat Unregistered guest | 3 way .2 way doesn't matter. Listen and buy what sounds best to you. |
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Anonymous | Hi Shank, Got to listen to some klipsch RF 3's. Overall impression: I'd say they are an aquired taste. Oh and your right they do play loud! But they lose a little something in the midrange and imaging is not the best i've heard in the price range. I would say that JMLAB make slightly bright speakers, the klipsch is slightly brighter again. The high's are not as detailed as I would expect and having a tendency towards harshness as the volume goes up. I didn't realise this at the time but (so i've been told) this is fairly common in horns? That's all fine so far but I hate to say this but the build quality is not good. The ones I listened to were only 2 months old and already were missing there badges!Getting one of the baffles to stay on was also a problem. This to me does not boad well! Klipsch have only just been reintroduced to the European market and to be honest they don't really compare to most of the Brit speakers in a similar price range. If Klipsch crack the build problem then I think they'll be a more serious contender. Sorry all, I can't rate them very well. |
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Bronze Member Username: ShankPittsburgh, PA Post Number: 43 Registered: Aug-04 | Yes, some ppl like the klipsch speakers, some don't. In regards to the rf-3's, i think those speakers are more than 2 months old, since they haven't been made by klipsch in 2+ years. The RF-3's were replaced by the rf-35, which use a new magnetic screen. But none the less, its just the screen. Also, the rf-35's have slighly evolved woofers and different crossovers/innards. Not sure how much of an impact this makes on the sound. But I like the way klipsch sounds, but from what i've read, they must be paired with a mellow receiver. |
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Anonymous | Could be I was lied to! I haven't seen anywhere stocking the RF35's yet. Maybe the RF3's are still being shipped over here? Possibly a good tube amp would improve the sound? |
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New member Username: Nm2285Delaware Post Number: 3 Registered: Aug-04 | I wanted to get back to the original question. Don't know if it was a mistake by the poster or just not clearly stated, but the first response says that a 3-way is a combination of 3 drivers and a 2-way is a combo of 2 drivers. I do not believe this is correct. I've always interpreted a 2-way as a speaker with 2 TYPES of drivers (for example a 1 in tweeter and a 6.5 inch midrange), but that the number of these drivers didn't matter. A 3-way, under the same assumption, could have a 1 inch tweeter, 2 6.5 inch midranges, and an 8 inch woofer-4 drivers, 3 different functions. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just wanted to clarify. |
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