I have two ways (w/12"PHL 4530 midbass drivers) plus stereo subs, and use a DEQX with both 2 and 3 way digital crossover ability. My initial plan was to implement a 3 way crossover to lessen the bottom end burden on my PHL midbasses (decrease intermodulation distortion). Philippe Lesage, head speaker designer of PHL, graciously answered an email inquiry on this topic with the following. He said, in essence, that the deleterious effects of a high pass filter on the midbasses outweighed the benefit of chopping off their low end duty, and that letting the midbasses naturally roll off while "dialing in" the subs to supplement the bottom octave was far preferable.
Another factor to consider is the low end capability of your 2 ways. My 2 ways are -3dB at 44 Hz and there is precious little musical content below this frequency in the music I listen to (example: the lowest electric bass note is still above 40 Hz). In truth, my stereo subs are a costly luxury, basically musical slackers for the vast majority of my listening with much potential to overly excite room modes and detract from enjoyment. "Dialing-in" is far from a simple task, even with stereo subs.
My 2 cents, to be taken ONLY for what it's worth, is to find two way loudspeakers that are capable of playing down to 40-50 Hz at adequate SPLs for your taste. It's all about choosing the best compromise among the imperfect solutions. A single full range point source reproducer exists only in theory. For me, no single driver stereo loudspeaker system will truly "rock" to the SPLs I like. I've never heard the big 2 way line array loudspeakers so can't comment. For me, 2 ways with large cone midbass drivers, actively biamped, provide the best combination of imaging, soundstaging, dynamics and SPL ability.
Just some grist for the mill - nothing more, nothing less.
Another factor to consider is the low end capability of your 2 ways. My 2 ways are -3dB at 44 Hz and there is precious little musical content below this frequency in the music I listen to (example: the lowest electric bass note is still above 40 Hz). In truth, my stereo subs are a costly luxury, basically musical slackers for the vast majority of my listening with much potential to overly excite room modes and detract from enjoyment. "Dialing-in" is far from a simple task, even with stereo subs.
My 2 cents, to be taken ONLY for what it's worth, is to find two way loudspeakers that are capable of playing down to 40-50 Hz at adequate SPLs for your taste. It's all about choosing the best compromise among the imperfect solutions. A single full range point source reproducer exists only in theory. For me, no single driver stereo loudspeaker system will truly "rock" to the SPLs I like. I've never heard the big 2 way line array loudspeakers so can't comment. For me, 2 ways with large cone midbass drivers, actively biamped, provide the best combination of imaging, soundstaging, dynamics and SPL ability.
Just some grist for the mill - nothing more, nothing less.