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Is the ideal multi-way a 3-way with limited bass?

Hear me out here.

3 way speakers with the traditional large woofer benefit from high bass output, and improved midrange clarity due to the lack of Doppler distortion affecting the mids, but with a lot of modest listening areas the big woofer can also be detrimental.  They produce too much bass, which together with room gain and room modes causes flabby and exaggerated bass.
So, lacking ARC or EQ capabilities perhaps the best compromise for the purist is to have a big woofer 3-way but with a limited -3 dB point, say 45 Hz or so.


erik_squires

Showing 1 response by mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Of sorts. Using dynamic drivers the best approach IMHO is a two way with subwoofers. You only need one crossover (not including the sub) and you can usually put it up around 2500-3000 Hz where it will not be as audible. With a two way you can do an open baffle design, easy to make. Use two midbass/midrange drivers and one tweeter in a D' Appolito configuration. 12 db/oct Linkwitz-Riley crossover. Two double 15" subwoofers and you are off to the races.
With Horns I think you are stuck with 3 way and a sub.
But, with ESLs you can do one way with a sub. Some people will opine you do not need the sub and with very large ESLs this is true. But, distortion levels are even lower if you use a subwoofer system correctly. And you can increase your headroom at least 10 dB. That is double the volume!
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