Why 2-way and not 3-way for Nearfields?

  • Thread starter Thread starter CoolCat
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CoolCat

CoolCat

Well-known member
remind me again....

seems 3-way crossover would be better also more efficient,
especially in the mid-ranges.

1,4,8" approx....seems better than dumping everything
below 2K or so on the 5"-8" woofer/driver.
If you have 5-6 you lose some bass, if you have 8, you tend to lose some upper mids.

so who started the 2-way Nearfield thing?
 
COOLCAT said:
remind me again....

seems 3-way crossover would be better also more efficient,
especially in the mid-ranges.

1,4,8" approx....seems better than dumping everything
below 2K or so on the 5"-8" woofer/driver.
If you have 5-6 you lose some bass, if you have 8, you tend to lose some upper mids.

so who started the 2-way Nearfield thing?
Click to expand...


I've often wondered about this myself. I know next to nothing about speakers, cross overs, and amps though.
 
My guess is that 3-way speakers result in too big a perceived location separation between sound sources at different frequencies for use in close monitoring situations, particularly when mixing... but that's just a guess.
 
dgatwood said:
My guess is that 3-way speakers result in too big a perceived location separation between sound sources at different frequencies for use in close monitoring situations, particularly when mixing... but that's just a guess.
Click to expand...

I would think so aswell. Location of the sound source has great impact on what you hear, especially on the high frequencies. Tweeters emit sound in a fairly straight forward line, and if that line is say 10" above the 8" driver that's at ear level, you got a problem.

With mainfields, the distance is big enough for the sound from the different drivers to blend.
 
Yeah, the physical distance will cause the point of focus to spread, the closer the speakers are to you. Your ears will pick up what your ears are most on-axis with.

Also, with 3-way xover design, it's much more complex and finickey for the -3dB crossover transitions to be smooth. It's hard enough for a perfect 2-way crossover transition, let alone a 3-way.
 
Many people believe that fewer crossover points results in a better sound:)
 
I never said that EVERY speaker with fewer crossover points sounds better;)
 
dgatwood said:
Well, in that case, I have a pair of wonderful speakers to sell them!

:D:eek::D:eek::D
Click to expand...

yeah that speaker could double for an ashtray too?
i wonder though being a paper cone it migh catch on fire when i lay my half burnt cigerrette in it?.....maybe Kevlar would be better for a speaker/ashtry like this?

:p

alesis had some along time ago, 3-way. i'm happy with my set, but adding the sub and all that and it'd be nice to have the sub on the deck in the same cab. barefoots speaker have it like that...

i just sometimes question this "follow the trend", 2-way..was it all started because of the Yamaha NS10's?
 
I don't know if you happened to check out the S.P. links? There's a pretty good summation of one Vs two Vs multi-way about half way down the top link.
Wayne
 
yes, good article. some older mags show alesis did a 3-way, close placement of speakers. the 2-way puts a lot on the driver. of course the tweeter has no problem.
 
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