Big speakers, are they really the best way to get great sound?

@inna However, stand mount speakers plus two subwoofers could be considered full range system too, though a lousy one.

This is complete and total nonsense. In fact, a great 2-way speaker, placed / setup exactly where they need to be and combined with high pass filter to remove the work they don’t need to do, blended with dual subwoofers that can each be placed to their benefit and each adjusted precisely for room response... that system can and will surpass many of the best floor standing speakers in existence. A floor standing speaker with a low end that cannot be tailored for room response is inherently at a disadvantage to a system in which the low end can be tailored for room response. But, big speakers have "The Bigness" and "Jewelry" factor, so there’s that.

With large floor standing speakers, you are paying for additional low end extension. The great irony of this entire conversation is the low end extension being paid for, more often than not, is in a compromised implementation compared to dual subs with DSP control.

Please... tell me these speakers combined with dual subs are a "lousy full range" setup... 

@lemonhaze wrote:

@jim2, That is one of the best posts I've read on this, you summed it up beautifully.

There are some manufacturers of speakers who have a model or two just below their flagship full range speakers that use the identical mid range and tweeter drivers mated to a lesser performing bottom end in a smaller enclosure and at a substantially lower price. It is these that represent the best value and mated to an intelligent application of room treatment and proper installation of subs will at lower cost outperform the flagship model for the reasons you mention. Of course the dealer with an opportunity to move his overpriced 'white elephant' might suffer from selective amnesia.

And it's also why I've spoken to a Wilson Audio dealer who was read the riot act by Wilson Audio for selling customers the Wilson Audio Duette and subs rather than one of their exponentially priced floorstanding speakers... But... people don't buy Wilson Audio floorstanding speakers for "value" anyway... so they don't mind being the sucker, as long as they look good / feel good. 

@inna 

Rats in the maze.

coltrane1, they can't "Go big".

Noise... outa. 

With larger speakers, more money is being spent on low frequency extension... extension that interacts with the room... extension you usually cannot adjust for the room / placement. When you think about it, large, floor standing speakers without low end adjustment are a recipe for compromise.

The smart money setup is the best pair of 2-way speakers and dual subs, that you can afford. Dual outputs from your preamp to main speaker amp, and to dual subs. Make some 100Hz high pass filters for use between preamp and main amp. This relieves the 2-way speakers of the work the subs are there for, and will actually make them even more resolving because they aren’t being tasked with playing the low end. An additional benefit is an easy load for the main amplifier. The subs either need DSP / Parametric EQ adjustment ability, to address room interaction issues. You need to measure, make adjust, and you’re done. Doing this via REW (freeware) is not hard, and not expensive for microphone setup.

Currently I’m using Wilson Audio Duette... 2-way with 8" woofer... and I suspect you’re referencing a Wilson flagship product. Whether you are or not, the same thinking applies.

The Duette play BIG. They are currently having a crossover redesign done. Subs are currently SVS SB16-Ultra. Rythmik Audio subs are also a great choice (and I wish I’d gone the servo route). I’m happy with the SVS subs, but I suspect the Rythmik servo subs are better.

This is world class sound... for a fraction of the money others spend on speakers. Used Duette speakers and subs is way less than $10k.

One other fun thing about going the 2-way / sub route... it’s easy to play with speakers to find what you like / suits your taste. 2 way speakers are less money, easier / less expensive to ship, etc. It’s fun swapping in different 2 ways "just because".

For those curious... a piece of the results / work on Wilson Audio Duette crossover redesign... it appears the crossover, as designed by Wilson Audio, DID NOT ACCOUNT FOR BAFFLE STEP LOSS. 🤷‍♂️

So, if indeed you are talking about a $300k Wilson Audio speaker... well, I have no problem telling it like it is.