odd 3way vs odd 4 way?

[Docks]

I'm considering going
tweeter - midwoofer - sub
OR
tweeter - mid - woofer - sub

If I could cover most of the response with the first choice what does the 4 way offer me?
Im considering going Revelator 6600 with a Revelator midwoofer, if i do this i have no use for the 4 way correct? What are 4 way benefits?
Please enlighten me.

[Loren42]

Let's start here for an understanding of what and why we select the speakers we do.

At least this tells us what sizes the drivers should be for their respective frequency ranges.

The other factors are the SPL levels of the drivers themselves and the directivity of the drivers. In the end they all need to play together well.

If this is your first speaker, you should consider building a kit speaker or a well established design from a skilled builder. 3-way and 4-way systems are very, very hard to the experienced builder and overwhelming for the novice.

Part of your questions need to consider things like what you want to accomplish and what environment and listening levels you want. Also, what other equipment you plan to use will guide you to your end.

For instance, I built a tube amp and because tube amps are a little short on power I needed high efficiency speakers. That in turn drove the architecture along with other constraints that I had like overall size and listening position, etc...

[Docks]

I would be using an active xover and separate cabinets for each driver. I can do calculations for each cabinet and driver size. Im really just wondering if the mid + woofer is any better than a midwoofer if they are both getting a flat response down to where i would xover the sub. Im sure the 4 way would enable me to have higher power handling, but outside of that what are the benefits?

[Loren42]

Originally Posted by Docks

I would be using an active xover and separate cabinets for each driver. I can do calculations for each cabinet and driver size. Im really just wondering if the mid + woofer is any better than a midwoofer if they are both getting a flat response down to where i would xover the sub. Im sure the 4 way would enable me to have higher power handling, but outside of that what are the benefits?

If you employ multiple subs you can address room anomalies with bass by strategically placing the subs throughout the room.

[beneeh]

I guess the answer would be similar to question why using 3 way instead of 2 way.
3 way --> tw - mid - woofer
2 way --> tw - mid/woofer
Separating the mid and the woofer in a 3 way or 4 way, will of course enhance the reproduction/presentation of the mid range as well as the bass range, since each range is handled separately and independently by dedicated driver. You can enhance the purity of the mid by choosing a pure mid driver, while you can have separate choices for woofer to handle bass range..

Btw, your configuration of tweeter-mid-woofer-sub is more like a 3-way speaker + sub. I have built many 4 way with music application in mind. The lower woofer (use 8" driver) of my 4-way speaker is not intended to replace sub, as in a HT system I would still need a sub tuned very low just to get the feel of the pressure and vibration - you may not hear it, but you can feel it.. But in music application this lower woofer really covers the lowest spectrum of the music not handled by woofer and works very well in enhancing the deep bass of the music.

Some 4 way speakers I have built..