The secret of building a good 2-way

[Defo]

What is yours?

[tinitus]

To know exactly what you want

[DcibeL]

To design for your needs.

There are no secrets, only science.

[Conrad Hoffman]

Good drivers. There's no way to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Don't try to stretch the response too far with too big a mid bass/woofer. Maybe 8" maximum and something like a Morel 1" dome tweet. I prefer higher order crossovers, but many don't. Don't build a monkey coffin. Slope the front. It should be sealed, not vented, though I have seen a passive radiator system work quite well.

Those are the things I've had success with. You could violate every one and still design a great system.

[Salas]

Originally posted by Defo
What is yours?

The two way is certainly the most celebrated and analyzed and turned inside out small home listening space suitable loudspeaker. No secrets, its all on the web. From BBC and KEF in the 70s to Magico Mini today, there are so many variations on a main theme that its the king of mutations. Tune to what Harbeth has to say this side of the pond, check out the craftsmanship Italian school, marvel on the American expen$ive rigid cabinetry school. Diffraction control, some vibration control working cabinetry plan, and last but not least, excellent drivers are needed. They mainly make them in your country and in its neighborhood. Crossover is the art of precision and judgment, don't even think not to use the scientific and measurement approach. Certainly, due to only one crossover point and relative compactness, there is something very cohesive to be achieved in excellently judged smaller 2 ways. Full range only does better in integration but carries dynamic and extension compromises.
Still amazes me how much finely balanced all round performance can be had by the classic 8inch+1inch 70s-80s format. Had to utilize a couple of tired solid wood cabinets that a mate had and we just tuned in a couple of Seas new 8 inchers and a Peerless HDS. Measurements, new crossover, a couple of iterations...speaker he kept as main. The ''Tired2Way'' as I call it, has not even a decent purpose built cabinet with some diffraction plan or alignment backing it, but still does well.

[PeteMcK]

'Good drivers.' ... and then make it a 2.5 way...

[planet10]

Originally posted by Salas
Full range only does better in integration but carries dynamic and extension compromises.

In 40 years of building speakers the best 2-way i've done is Tysen... active XO (PLLXO @ 333Hz) SDX8 sealed, FF85KeN in midTL.



dave

[HiFiNutNut]

Dave,

Is there a plan? or just a commercial finished product? I browsed your site and could not find it.

Regards,
Bill

[mcmahon48]

fewest components for crossover design
best drivers that one can afford
build build build build
try try try try try variations test test test test
adjust adjust adjust adjust
finished product finally

[planet10]

Originally posted by HiFiNutNut
Is there a plan? or just a commercial finished product? I browsed your site and could not find it.

Bill,

There is a plan... i've been too busy to start a thread on it (and to get it into public format). At this point just email me for plans.

dave