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The midrange is the most important driver.

OK, I don't need you to believe the topic name. Just wanted to start a friendly discussion.

Among full-range, multi-way speakers there are usually at least 3 drivers:

  • Tweeter
  • Mid-range
  • Woofer
The most exorbitant prices are usually in the tweeter, followed by the woofer, then the mid. More or less. When I read discussions that are about tech-brands, it's almost always about the tweeter. Off the shelf prices in high-end speakers can vary from $40/ea. to $500/ea. with top of the line Be and AMT. Hard diamond tweeters are even more expensive. And yeah, I've paid a lot for tweets in my mains. Still, I think maybe all of us have been convinced that the tweeter is where we should spend our largest dollars.

Maybe it is the quality of the mid that determines everything else. It is where the vocals are, and how well it integrates and extends up and down the range determines everything else. From what tweeters you may use, to the dynamic range.

What do you think?

Best,


E
erik_squires

Showing 5 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires OP
16,644 posts
 
Here's another way to think about this:

If we could only have 1 driver, it would have to be a midrange.

Best,


E
erik_squires OP
16,644 posts
 
I was going to point out the lengths B&W has gone to get the mid range driver. Nautilus, exotic materials, exotic, surround-less construction. Pretty spiffy.


erik_squires OP
16,644 posts
 
@whart

Sorry, but that's why I mentioned the "driver" in the title. :)

Johnk, some inexpensive drivers can go low. It's not as big a factor in pricing (more or less).

So let me turn this around. I think it's possible to make a good speaker with a great midrange and OK tweeter and woofer. I don't think it's possible to make an OK speaker with a mediocre mid. :)

Again, synergy matters, but I think that the idea we have (as a group) that the tweet technology determines pricing is flawed.

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
16,644 posts
 
fangbian,

AFAIK, Yamaha was the first with a Be midrange, decades ago, but you are right, putting that in the midrange demonstrates a lot of thinking and care.

Best,

E
erik_squires OP
16,644 posts
 
@johnk

Of course, the end result matters more than the sum of the parts. What I wanted to get at here was more about how we think about full-range, multi-way loudspeakers a little more, and whether that was lopsided. I have to admit, I don't do this "right" if we go by spend. I spent about 2x as much on my tweeters, and my mid-woofers were pricey! :)

Best,

E
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