Econowave 3-Way.

[rich31td]

I am in the process of building a pair of speakers based on the Econowave design using a Eminence Delta 12LF woofer and the JBL CD Horn and D220ti in a 120L ported enclosure which I modeled in WinISD.

I am using a MiniDSP 4-way as a crossover and have two NAD C320BEE amplifiers.

Before I cut the holes in the baffle I was just toying with the idea of making it 3-way using the Eminence Alphalite 6A and JBL Mid Horn for the midrange and crossing over at 500hz and 2000hz. A bit like the JBL PRX535 speaker.

Is this worth the extra cost (another amp and midrange drivers) or will the 2-way work fine?

[boris81]

I believe one of the main goals of the Econowave is the horizontal directivity control. A 3-way will have a totally different radiation pattern. You need to decide if Constant Directivity is a main priority in your application.

[jerome69]

Originally Posted by rich31td

Is this worth the extra cost (another amp and midrange drivers) or will the 2-way work fine?

Yes ! a 3 ways gives better results than a 2 ways.
500 to 2000Hz, a 5" can do better the job.

[MisterTwister]

I vote for 3 way! Although I don't like the idea of using Alphalite 6A driver.
I'd try to get 500hz -20khz with compression drivers,
like these
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=264-204
and
Selenium ST200 Super Tweeter

[dabbler]

Originally Posted by MisterTwister

I vote for 3 way! Although I don't like the idea of using Alphalite 6A driver.
I'd try to get 500hz -20khz with compression drivers,
like these
Selenium D250-X 1" Phenolic Horn Driver 1-3/8"-18 TPI Pro Audio Compression Driver
and
Selenium ST200 Super Tweeter

like this idea

[keyser]

I'm with Boris81. Adding a direct radiating small midrange driver will give wide dispersion up to through the midrange to where the horn takes over. In the highs you'll have much greater directivity. The combination will be more expensive than an econowave, but I doubt it will sound better.

[doug20]

Great points! After spending several years trying to get my 2-way waveguides to sound great I have concluded that 12" woofers are really not meant to be driven past 1KHz (even 800Hz) if we want a certain high quality sound. My ribbon design (PHL1120 + Neopro5i) always sounded better for music listening then my TD12M + QSC/BMS 4550 and I kept coming back to the midrange performance of the 12" woofer. Having perfect directivity is great for online discussion but in the real world the final result has to sound great. Audio amazingly always has some compromising choice.

Of course I think the OP should upgrade the CD to the B&C DE250 or similar. I was never a fan of those selnium choices.

[Salas]

Up to how high in frequency you find the 1120 useful?

[rich31td]

Originally Posted by MisterTwister

I vote for 3 way! Although I don't like the idea of using Alphalite 6A driver.
I'd try to get 500hz -20khz with compression drivers,
like these
Selenium D250-X 1" Phenolic Horn Driver 1-3/8"-18 TPI Pro Audio Compression Driver
and
Selenium ST200 Super Tweeter

Interesting...

If i were to use that D250 for the midrange which horn would work best in this frequency band?

[rich31td]

Originally Posted by boris81

I believe one of the main goals of the Econowave is the horizontal directivity control. A 3-way will have a totally different radiation pattern. You need to decide if Constant Directivity is a main priority in your application.

Excuse my ignorance, how would a 3-way design affect the radiation pattern?

Do you have any good literature that might help me?