Two ways speakers with conventional drivers _ is there something missing ?

Many ways to build a speaker, it doesn't matter what you choose as long as you do it properly.
:up:

Just to avoid any potential misunderstanding. When I say this, I want to point out that the specific issue is that the big driver is essentially acting as a horn substitute for the compression driver. Since it is also a driver in itself that has to deal with lower frequencies, it is very difficult to make the horn loading quite as good as a proper horn.

I see. And actually some coaxials have a proper horn for the tweeter
Like the Altec Duplex i mean. Also the woofer cone moves with music ... i guess not the best behaviour for a tweeter horn 😱
I love the Altec but here is very rare and expensive and even if found not always in good shape i guess

My hearing stops around 13700hz as well, last time I checked. Doubt it's gotten any better.
Down low it used to work to 22hz, not very important, most of that sound is noise from machines and big trucks. Just get annoyed when I am trying to listen in deep focus and some tractor or lorry drives around somewhere.
😉

At any rate, have not really looked at the numbers yet, but if the 12hx230 is what you want, could be it can be convinced to go to around 40-45hz reasonably well. What size/dimensions enclosure would you like?
yes i think it could be perfect I think i could live without the last octave down i will miss something during a toccata e fuga maybe but for all other music would be just fine
I am checking the price. But also the 2 ways drivers solution starts to be viable It depends on the actual drivers selected 🙄
 
Managing a crossover in the low kHz would not be considered as important as consistent narrow directivity and low diffraction through the treble

Hi thanks but i am not sure to understand. You mean in the crossing range ?
I tend to like the idea of a speaker with a narrow dispersion. My listening room is not treated and the reflections are everywhere. For instance i am getting much better virtual soundstage with my desktop pc system 😱🙁
It is limited in FR ... clearly, but the image is very focused ... and i even get some depth in the sound image I am surprised
I guess this is due to less walls reflections ? 🙄
When i see pictures of very very expensive systems placed in not acoustically treated room i understand the meaning of audio fetishism ... the equipment is more important than the music performance.
I prefer listening in the dark :bfold:... i hate to see the equipment and the lights on I get distracted
 
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I am checking the price. But also the 2 ways drivers solution starts to be viable It depends on the actual drivers selected 🙄

If you want maximum bang per buck in a 2way (my favourite topic), could be that you'd find this combo interesting:
Fane 12-300
+
Faital 3FE25 (or the 3FE22)

Allows for relatively low xo, I'd probably settle in the 4-700hz range somewhere pending on design implementation.
 
Hi ! sorry for the question quite generic.
Can a two ways speaker really be satisfactory ?
I am focusing only speakers with conventional drivers ... not horns, ribbons, panels ecc. just cones and domes
These are very popular speakers. Broadly they fall in two categories:
1) small to mid size woofers (from 4" to 7") plus tweeters
2) larger woofers (8") plus tweeters.
To say it quickly ... in case 1) i miss the lows ... in case 2) i miss the mids
It seems to me that 3 ways are the minimun to cover decently the audio range ... with 4 ways being the optimum.
Do you feel the same ?
Thank you for any advice and suggestion.

No, I disagree.

The reason for adding more "ways" is to improve power handling, and I find that a good 2-way can provide enough SPL for domestic spaces.

My current speakers (which I've been using for over a year now, still in their prototype boxes) are 8" 2-ways with a 1" compression driver. The crossover is at 950Hz. Given that I used to swap/change/modify my speakers on an almost weekly basis, having the same speakers for over a year is pretty much a miracle.

They sound great, go loud, and don't suffer from nearby reflections too much. I cannot ask for more.

For a direct-radiators-only, then a really good dome tweeter will be needed to meet an 8" woofer. It is possible, though. With a fixed amount of money to spend, I'd rather use a couple of really good drivers than three or four mediocre ones.

Chris
 
If you want maximum bang per buck in a 2way (my favourite topic), could be that you'd find this combo interesting:
Fane 12-300
+
Faital 3FE25 (or the 3FE22)
Allows for relatively low xo, I'd probably settle in the 4-700hz range somewhere pending on design implementation

Impressive extension for the Faital ... so no tweeter needed ? impressive indeed Thanks !
 

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No, I disagree.
The reason for adding more "ways" is to improve power handling, and I find that a good 2-way can provide enough SPL for domestic spaces.
i agree. Some 2-ways can shake the walls ...

My current speakers (which I've been using for over a year now, still in their prototype boxes) are 8" 2-ways with a 1" compression driver. The crossover is at 950Hz. Given that I used to swap/change/modify my speakers on an almost weekly basis, having the same speakers for over a year is pretty much a miracle.
They sound great, go loud, and don't suffer from nearby reflections too much. I cannot ask for more.
:up:

For a direct-radiators-only, then a really good dome tweeter will be needed to meet an 8" woofer. It is possible, though. With a fixed amount of money to spend, I'd rather use a couple of really good drivers than three or four mediocre ones.
Chris
i see ... less ways but better in quality. The more i think about it the more i am leaning towards a 3 ways ... for home listening when space does not allow for big monitors i think it is the best solution.
 
The popular notion of a coaxial being a "bad horn for the tweeter because it moves" is usually nonsense. I use a 12" coaxial crossed over to a bass driver at ~300Hz. Even at high volume I can barely feel the 12" driver moving. It's displacement is surely less than a fraction of a mm.

The real problem with coaxial drivers is that the "horn" is an afterthought. The cone is designed to make a good midwoofer and the magnet assembly is designed to meet it's Q, BL, and Xmax goals - often leading to an ill designed throat for the CD.
 
If you're allergic to compression drivers & horns, then yeah, I can see why a 3-way would make sense.
I'd go 10/4/1", closed box.
Chris

Hi ! thanks a lot for the valuable advice. So with a 4" cone a crossing point around 200Hz ? that is a very critical design choice for me
Actually the very 1st choice for a 3 way is cone or dome mid. I am still very undecided.


The popular notion of a coaxial being a "bad horn for the tweeter because it moves" is usually nonsense. I use a 12" coaxial crossed over to a bass driver at ~300Hz. Even at high volume I can barely feel the 12" driver moving. It's displacement is surely less than a fraction of a mm.

Hi ! thank you very much for your very useful advice. So the secret could be to cut the coaxial woofer a little high so that its movement is minimal ? very interesting. But this also implies a 3 ways design. But i see the point very clearly.
Nevertheless i have to say the world is full of people who listen from 12 and even 15" Tannoy dual concentrics in 2 ways systems ... and they seem to be quite happy with their systems. :boggled:

The real problem with coaxial drivers is that the "horn" is an afterthought. The cone is designed to make a good midwoofer and the magnet assembly is designed to meet it's Q, BL, and Xmax goals - often leading to an ill designed throat for the CD.
i see. Still coaxial are very popular I have taken out the drivers from a pair of Tannoy 609 and discharged the cabinets. When they were working i liked the sound. The cabinets had a nice shape but the material looked not optimal. I like very massive cabinets a lot. The first thing i check is the weight ... light weight is not good. When a woofer is involved of course.
 
I think that it does not matter what you choose, as long as you make a good effort in implementation.

There's no single correct answer, there is no black and white, only a myriad shades of grey and millions of colours.

There are some good coaxial drivers, I was mostly sort of objecting a bit that it is a simple and easy solution.
There are also many other very good solutions, depends on a lot of things.

I think the absolute most important thing to consider is:
What kind of shape and size would you like the speakers to be?
(Compact/bookshelf/floorstanders/refrigerator-sized 😀)

If you have the answer to that, you can proceed with:
Is it more important to be able to play loud, or to play low frequencies?

(It is possible I remember this wrong, but here goes: Very rough guideline for same SPL/W: double box size for each 1/3rd reduction in design FS, IE same SPL/W 20hz box would be twice as big as a 30hz box. This is NOT a fixed rule! Just a very simple, very general guideline approximation!)

When you have decided on size and frequency extension vs SPL:
What is the desired parts cost and build complexity?

Edit:
I am hoping the answers to these questions will automatically narrow down your options, making it easier to decide.
 
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The popular notion of a coaxial being a "bad horn for the tweeter because it moves" is usually nonsense. I use a 12" coaxial crossed over to a bass driver at ~300Hz. Even at high volume I can barely feel the 12" driver moving. It's displacement is surely less than a fraction of a mm.

Well, the reason your 12" is barely moving is because it's running above 300Hz.

Run it down to 30Hz, and I expect there'll be some cone movement.

Hi ! thanks a lot for the valuable advice. So with a 4" cone a crossing point around 200Hz ? that is a very critical design choice for me
Actually the very 1st choice for a 3 way is cone or dome mid. I am still very undecided.

I'd probably go for more like 400Hz from a 10" to a 4".


The talk of coaxials is interesting. If you're inclined in that way, I can recommend the KEF HTS3001SE speakers. Use the 4.5" coaxial with a good bass driver, and you'll have a very nice system.

Of course, PA coaxials use compression drivers, and I thought we were avoiding those.

Chris
 
My current HiFi system is here: FIR Processing | Grimshaw Audio

The Faital coaxials are PA speakers: New Speakers

Which sound very good, but don't achieve much LF extension in those boxes. With considerable EQ, they get to 70Hz. Fine for spoken word and acoustic music, but a couple of subwoofers are needed for full-range reinforcement.

I expect a floorstanding ML-TL with those coaxials would do well, but I like my HiFi speakers too much to try it.

Chris
 
I think that it does not matter what you choose, as long as you make a good effort in implementation.
There's no single correct answer, there is no black and white, only a myriad shades of grey and millions of colours.

I see ... and i see this as a problem. The choice. 😱
But i understand that everything will be compromised also by the room. I like many people tend to underestimate the impact of the room on the listening. Better to go with a decent solution and start thinking to some kind of acoustic treatment instead.
I have watched with a lot of interest the building of the listening room at PSAudio facilities. They did a very extensive work on the room before placing the playback system.
If the room is compromised that fix a limit ...

There are some good coaxial drivers, I was mostly sort of objecting a bit that it is a simple and easy solution.
There are also many other very good solutions, depends on a lot of things.
I think the absolute most important thing to consider is:
What kind of shape and size would you like the speakers to be?
(Compact/bookshelf/floorstanders/refrigerator-sized 😀)
If you have the answer to that, you can proceed with:

i think that they should be higher than wider ... tower like ...
The coaxial will not be covering all the range ... i feel a woofer is really needed
So a 3 ways in the end ... bass plus satellite

Is it more important to be able to play loud, or to play low frequencies?
(It is possible I remember this wrong, but here goes: Very rough guideline for same SPL/W: double box size for each 1/3rd reduction in design FS, IE same SPL/W 20hz box would be twice as big as a 30hz box. This is NOT a fixed rule!
Just a very simple, very general guideline approximation!)
When you have decided on size and frequency extension vs SPL:
What is the desired parts cost and build complexity?
Edit:
I am hoping the answers to these questions will automatically narrow down your options, making it easier to decide.

i lived long with small speakers ... the 1st time i heard the bass i understood what i was missing ... like listen to a small radio instead of being at a concert
The live effect was very evident with the bigger speakers ... very
Maybe Mr Klipsch was very right ?
 
... The talk of coaxials is interesting. If you're inclined in that way, I can recommend the KEF HTS3001SE speakers. Use the 4.5" coaxial with a good bass driver, and you'll have a very nice system...

Thanks a lot. I think i have listened to them in an HT set up and they were very good indeed. I will look for them ... i guess they are out of production now ? it was many years ago ...


....Keeping the sound off the side walls is really helpful IMO.
Chris
Yes! i feel the same ... just to get some indications i would like to put foam rings around my present tweeters and listen. In order to control the dispersion i see many manufacturers using waveguides these days ... a reflect sound could have some kind of delay respect the direct sound.
The only echoes i like are those generated by the Pink Floyd.
 
No problem. Yep, those speakers came out a while ago. You might be able to find something more recent - I just kept an eye on eBay until something useful came up at a price I was happy to pay. The "tangerine" tweeter waveguide is something they've kept with later models, so I decided to try to find a model that included those.

Chris
 
No problem. Yep, those speakers came out a while ago. You might be able to find something more recent - I just kept an eye on eBay until something useful came up at a price I was happy to pay. The "tangerine" tweeter waveguide is something they've kept with later models, so I decided to try to find a model that included those.
Chris

Thanks again. The last generation of Kef coaxials has got rave reviews ... like the cute ls50s
I wonder if they do have that tangerine guide you mention
 

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