2.5-way vs. 3-way speakers

[Patrukas777]

I am definitely not as knowledgeable as some of you on here, and I wanted to know the difference between the two. I was unable to find it using the search feature, so I thought I would ask.

thanks

Pete

 

[Jeepers]

I am definitely not as knowledgeable as some of you on here, and I wanted to know the difference between the two. I was unable to find it using the search feature, so I thought I would ask.

thanks

Pete

You might look here :
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=806996

 

[Patrukas777]

You might look here :
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=806996

anyone else have anything to add?

 

[j_garcia]

What exactly is the question? Crossover design or is one better vs the other? If both are properly designed to cover their respective range, it shouldn't really matter if they are 2.5 or 3 way. IMO, a 3 way techically has a more complex x-over and has two blends vs 1, so a 2.5 way x-over might be simpler to design, but there are a lot of factors there.

 

[Patrukas777]

What exactly is the question? Crossover design or is one better vs the other? If both are properly designed to cover their respective range, it shouldn't really matter if they are 2.5 or 3 way. IMO, a 3 way techically has a more complex x-over and has two blends vs 1, so a 2.5 way x-over might be simpler to design, but there are a lot of factors there.

To clarify...im wondering if there is a significant different between performance of the two. I understand that it could depend on the cab, drivers and tweeter etc...but if 2.5 and 3way were both built using quality drivers, tweeter, and cabinet...then what would be the benefits of both.

Lets also say their application would be for both music and ht.

 

[markw]

You may be asking for an apples to oranges comparison.

They both use the same speakers but one has two identical mid/bass drivers.

One of the mid/bass drivers is used as a mid/bass driver and the second has it's range restricted to only the bass.

Alll else being equal and the design is applied correctly, the 2.5 would have a bit better bass.

Of course, if the speakers aren't the same in both, no realistic comparison is possible. Likewise, one cannot say if one particular 2 way is better than another 2.5 way system, or vice versa.

 

[j_garcia]

A 2.5 way has the potential to have better midrange as well, as the range covered by the woofers is +2dB across their range vs the single output over the range if each is only covering a narrowed band. My GRs use identical drivers but one is 2way and the other is 2.5. The 2.5 has much more pronounced midrange, but oddly because of the cabinet tuning, the 2 way actually extends slightly lower (50Hz vs 55Hz).

 

[markw]

A 2.5 way has the potential to have better midrange as well, as the range covered by the woofers is +2dB across their range vs the single output over the range if each is only covering a narrowed band. My GRs use identical drivers but one is 2way and the other is 2.5. The 2.5 has much more pronounced midrange, but oddly because of the cabinet tuning, the 2 way actually extends slightly lower (50Hz vs 55Hz).

I would think that having twice the radiated area would produce a theoretical three db increase in that overlap range.

Of course, the implementation* would have a significant influence as well.

*enclosure, crossover, whatever...

 

[j_garcia]

I would think that having twice the radiated area would produce a theoretical three db increase in that overlap range.

Of course, the implementation* would have a significant influence as well.

*enclosure, crossover, whatever...

That's what I would expect, but I recall reading in the Louspeaker Design Cookbook that if you have 2 identical drivers playing the same signal with the same amplification it is only +2dB. It's been a while since I read that, so I'll have to verify that.

 

[Patrukas777]

awesome...thanks for helping me out. Now I feel more confident in buying the speakers Im looking at. Truly appreciated!

 

[j_garcia]

Care to share which speakers?

 

[Patrukas777]

Care to share which speakers?

I'm about 90% sure I'm going with the SVS MTS-01's for mains. I don't know if you recall a thread I posted in the Steam Vent a couple of months ago...but my entire HT system (15 grand or so) was completely destroyed by lightening...not to mention part of my house and car lol...So, now that I'm almost done settling my insurance claims, Ive been going speaker hunting. I definitely have to treat myself after this is all said and done

 

[j_garcia]

I still haven't heard the MTS-01s, but I don't doubt that they are worth the price of admission

 

[Patrukas777]

I still haven't heard the MTS-01s, but I don't doubt that they are worth the price of admission

Well, once I get my system up and running, if you're ever in socal, your more than welcome to come by and hear the MTS's