I don't think you can limit the discussion to 2-way vs. 3-way, because each design often carries other things with it. For example, a great number of 2-ways today are mini-monitors, which have the additional advantages of a minimal front baffle--which improves in-room dispersion and imaging--and a lower level of cabinet resonances because there are no large enclosure panels that can resonate.
Yes, there are large 2-ways as well, and if they aren't extraordinarily braced, the extra bass extension of the larger cabinet is offset by the larger front panel and more prominent panel resonances.
For these reasons, I think some of the best sound for the buck comes from stand-mounted 5" to 6.5" 2-way speakers augmented by one or two subs. The satellites retain that immediacy and room-filling dispersion while the subs add that bottom octave or two and keep the violent backwaves of deep bass from exciting the main cabinets. Also, it optimizes the amplification for each kind of duty--choose the amp that sounds best with the minimonitors while the built-in sub amp controls the bass.
Of course there are many great-sounding 3-ways, but (assuming you take the time to fully integrate the subs with the sats), you can put together a monitor/sub system at $5K that will equal the performance of a $10K pair of floorstanders because the cost of building and bracing the cabinet is so much less, as is the challenge of getting 30Hz performance when you add the advantage of a built-in 1200w amp.
You can get real bass from a 6-1/2" 2-way, but it either takes a powered woofer or a large, very well-braced cabinet that removes all pretense of WAF. Case in point: my mid-'90s Mirage M5si speakers. 6.5" 2-ways in a ported bipolar configuration, in beastly 51"h x 14"w x 8"d cabs that weigh 85 lbs. each. But they make honest bass down to 26 Hz. And that bass is lively and quick thanks to the woofers' small, light diaphragms.
I wish I had the funds and crossover knowledge to find out just how good that design could sound with some of the drivers available today, such as Vifa ring radiator tweeters and the incredible range and power handling of the better 6.5" mid/woofers.
Yes, there are large 2-ways as well, and if they aren't extraordinarily braced, the extra bass extension of the larger cabinet is offset by the larger front panel and more prominent panel resonances.
For these reasons, I think some of the best sound for the buck comes from stand-mounted 5" to 6.5" 2-way speakers augmented by one or two subs. The satellites retain that immediacy and room-filling dispersion while the subs add that bottom octave or two and keep the violent backwaves of deep bass from exciting the main cabinets. Also, it optimizes the amplification for each kind of duty--choose the amp that sounds best with the minimonitors while the built-in sub amp controls the bass.
Of course there are many great-sounding 3-ways, but (assuming you take the time to fully integrate the subs with the sats), you can put together a monitor/sub system at $5K that will equal the performance of a $10K pair of floorstanders because the cost of building and bracing the cabinet is so much less, as is the challenge of getting 30Hz performance when you add the advantage of a built-in 1200w amp.
You can get real bass from a 6-1/2" 2-way, but it either takes a powered woofer or a large, very well-braced cabinet that removes all pretense of WAF. Case in point: my mid-'90s Mirage M5si speakers. 6.5" 2-ways in a ported bipolar configuration, in beastly 51"h x 14"w x 8"d cabs that weigh 85 lbs. each. But they make honest bass down to 26 Hz. And that bass is lively and quick thanks to the woofers' small, light diaphragms.
I wish I had the funds and crossover knowledge to find out just how good that design could sound with some of the drivers available today, such as Vifa ring radiator tweeters and the incredible range and power handling of the better 6.5" mid/woofers.