I've heard some 2 way speakers that sounded better than everything else in the same line from the same manufacturer! Power, room, placement all play a part, but unless you're just looking for loudness usually the 2 way with better components ought to win.
What type of speaker would sound better?
1. mid-tier 3 way with multiple lower quality drivers and parts OR
2. High end 2-way with premium crossover parts and speaker drivers.
Either one could be a stand mount, small tower, or anything in between.
For example you listen to a well recorded symphony in a 15 X 30 living room. You have 250w @ 8ohms. You start on a mid tier 3-way and then on a high end 2-way system, which do you think would sound better?