mini_mull
1/2 ton status
I was reading on another board, and came across the statement that 3 ways are a fraud, but they didn't really explain. Anyone care to clarify this for me? Thanks in advance.
CK5
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2 way versus 3 way
- Thread starter mini_mull
- Start date
5280k5
1/2 ton status
Are you talking about a 2 or 3 way speaker or a 2 or 3 way front stage setup?
Yeah, a 3 way speaker is probably not much of an improvement over a 2 way, usually just another small tweeter crossed over at another frequency. It might help fill in a little of the gap between what the low/mid portion of the speaker and the high frequencies? Got to a store and listen to couple different kinds and compare the difference in how they sound and see what you think.
A 2 or 3 way stage will give much better sound using a seperate woofer & tweeter, or a 3 way will have a woofer, mid, tweeter usually using an external crossover to dial in the exact frequencies that each speaker is crossed over at.
Yeah, a 3 way speaker is probably not much of an improvement over a 2 way, usually just another small tweeter crossed over at another frequency. It might help fill in a little of the gap between what the low/mid portion of the speaker and the high frequencies? Got to a store and listen to couple different kinds and compare the difference in how they sound and see what you think.
A 2 or 3 way stage will give much better sound using a seperate woofer & tweeter, or a 3 way will have a woofer, mid, tweeter usually using an external crossover to dial in the exact frequencies that each speaker is crossed over at.
mini_mull
1/2 ton status
Sorry, I meant speaker. I wasn't even thinking about stages, but that is good info, too. Thanks.
chevyin
1/2 ton status
If you mean those 6x9's and such that mount like 7 'super tweeters' to th e front of them... yeah minimal improvement, if at all. In fact, most of the multi-tweeter designs rely on passive motion of the smallest diaphrams when 'pushed' by the force of the large cone moving (iow, total junk).mini_mull said:
But yes, going to a 3-way front stage (independant speakers)offers some serious advantages over running a 2-way component setup. Better midbass response, stronger midrange response, better crossover points, ability to tune the midbass independant of midrange, etc etc.
mini_mull
1/2 ton status
The speakers in my first system were a 3-way front stage from MB quart. I think it had 6"s, 4"s, and 1"s. Better sound than any of my friends 2 way components in their front. I haven't seen anything like that for sale lately though. It seems like the market has pushed for 2 way components only, I guess. Or maybe there are some out there somewhere, anyone know where?
chevyin
1/2 ton status
Alot of the higher end brands have been carrying 3-way setups over the past few years, although I admit I haven't been shopping for any lately so I'll have to look up any specific ones. Are you in the market for a 3-way setup? I can check some out if you are, and give me some criteria to go on. Also, have you considered a DIY 3-way?
5280k5
1/2 ton status
I know Rainbow makes them.
http://premier-audio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2&products_id=7
http://premier-audio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_13&products_id=49
They also have these, but at like $9,000 'em I don't think so
http://premier-audio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_13&products_id=49
DIY is definitely way cheaper and can have just as good or better sound quality if setup correctly.
http://premier-audio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2&products_id=7
http://premier-audio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_13&products_id=49
They also have these, but at like $9,000 'em I don't think so
http://premier-audio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_13&products_id=49
DIY is definitely way cheaper and can have just as good or better sound quality if setup correctly.
mini_mull
1/2 ton status
Tell me more about doing it DIY style. I'm definitely interested.
Also, I'm not sure how much I'm going to spend just yet on fronts, but what price range do the 3 way compnents start at?
BTW, I already have an amp I'll probably use at least at first for the fronts. It's an old JBL GTS300 with 2x100w @ 4ohms, 2x150W @ 2ohms, or 1x300W @ 4ohms bridged. It also has a built in crossover and preamp outs and crossover. I used to use it to push my Rockford Fosgate 15" sub. If that doesn't sound like a good amp to use for fronts, I can always save it for a sub later, or use it for fronts now, then move it to sub duty later. I do need to test it to make sure it still works though. What do ya think?
Also, I'm not sure how much I'm going to spend just yet on fronts, but what price range do the 3 way compnents start at?
BTW, I already have an amp I'll probably use at least at first for the fronts. It's an old JBL GTS300 with 2x100w @ 4ohms, 2x150W @ 2ohms, or 1x300W @ 4ohms bridged. It also has a built in crossover and preamp outs and crossover. I used to use it to push my Rockford Fosgate 15" sub. If that doesn't sound like a good amp to use for fronts, I can always save it for a sub later, or use it for fronts now, then move it to sub duty later. I do need to test it to make sure it still works though. What do ya think?
mini_mull
1/2 ton status
5280k5 said:I know Rainbow makes them.
http://premier-audio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_2&products_id=7
They also have these, but at like $9,000 'em I don't think so
http://premier-audio.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_13&products_id=49
DIY is definitely way cheaper and can have just as good or better sound quality if setup correctly.
Yeah, I don't even think the first ones will be in my price range. I'll probably top out at $300 for the fronts, if I use my old amp, but I'd really rather stay under $200. The last time I put together a system was over 10 years ago in high school when all I had to spend money on was fun and my truck, but those days are long gone. Plus I had a lot more hook-ups to get stuff back then. One of my friends worked at the rockford fosgate warehouse and got 40%+ off everything, I really should have kept in touch with him.
Big91RustyBucket
1/2 ton status
2 way or 3 way. Just depend's on your mood..... 
5280k5
1/2 ton status
mini_mull said:
Here's a site Chevyin turned me on to and can really learn a lot just from reading the existing posts on stuff. http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/index.php?&
Also here a couple sites that sell some speakers if you decided to try and make your own 2 or 3 way.
http://www.madisound.com/index.html
http://www.partsexpress.com/
Like everything else research it pays to research it before hand.
I'm still reading stuff and learning and listening to what other people have had success or failure with.
chevyin
1/2 ton status
Nice one 5280k5, I was just about to recommend parts express. lol 
Ive yet to try them, but I see people raving about partsexpress's DIY speakers (tweeters, mids, midbass, etc). With a $300 budget, Id definitely be giving them a look.
One downside to a DIY 3-way I forgot to mention is it basically means you would have to go fully active with your crossovers. Unless you purchased an off-the-shelf 3-way set, you are going to have to reply on active crossovers (electronic, as opposed to passives like what come with most 2-way comp sets). This generally means a better sound processor (or h/u with those capabilities) and more channels of amplification. With your budget and having the amp already purchased, a DIY set may not be your best and most economical choice.
Ive yet to try them, but I see people raving about partsexpress's DIY speakers (tweeters, mids, midbass, etc). With a $300 budget, Id definitely be giving them a look.
One downside to a DIY 3-way I forgot to mention is it basically means you would have to go fully active with your crossovers. Unless you purchased an off-the-shelf 3-way set, you are going to have to reply on active crossovers (electronic, as opposed to passives like what come with most 2-way comp sets). This generally means a better sound processor (or h/u with those capabilities) and more channels of amplification. With your budget and having the amp already purchased, a DIY set may not be your best and most economical choice.
