3 way vs 2 way
Thread Starter
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,239
Recently I`ve put together a 3 way front end mainly to get better bass response and image up front.
I`m starting to realize that the equipment needed and the time to set it up isn`t worth the effort.
Midbass speakers
Sound deadening doors
Deticated amp
wires etc
set up time
Phase problems
good crossover
eq maybe
For what?
As a test.. I recently unhooked my midbasses and increases the xover point on the sub. It doesn't sound that bad. imagine a 4" component set and a sub. It sounds a bit weak but gets louder
for some reason.
Most problems I`ve been having are getting the midbasses to blend in properly.
I`ve tried setting the crossovers, gains for each midbass (bridged 4 channel)
The response is not bad. It images ok, and bass lines are pretty sweet but I`m not getting the kick I thought I would, so most time I increase the sub for that 'kick'. Then the sub becomes localized... which I`ve been trying to move away from.
After all that, there's phase problems.
Maybe a bit out of my league trying to set something like this up
Thoughts? Experiences?
I`m starting to realize that the equipment needed and the time to set it up isn`t worth the effort.
Midbass speakers
Sound deadening doors
Deticated amp
wires etc
set up time
Phase problems
good crossover
eq maybe
For what?
As a test.. I recently unhooked my midbasses and increases the xover point on the sub. It doesn't sound that bad. imagine a 4" component set and a sub. It sounds a bit weak but gets louder
for some reason.
Most problems I`ve been having are getting the midbasses to blend in properly.
I`ve tried setting the crossovers, gains for each midbass (bridged 4 channel)
The response is not bad. It images ok, and bass lines are pretty sweet but I`m not getting the kick I thought I would, so most time I increase the sub for that 'kick'. Then the sub becomes localized... which I`ve been trying to move away from.
After all that, there's phase problems.
Maybe a bit out of my league trying to set something like this up
Thoughts? Experiences?
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 60
I almost went 3 way, but I was convinced by others on this board and other boards that two way is the way to go. They were right [img]smile.gif[/img]
I have heard all too often the problems you are running into with a 3 way. I am running a full active Focal K2Power setup, 6.5" driver plus tweeter, and the only thing I am missing frequency wise is low bass, because I have no sub yet
The Focal tweeters can play pretty reliably into the 2 KHz range and the woofers can play pretty high as well. They play awesome mid bass too (the first set of 6.5" components I have ever heard that actually hammer my chest the way a sub does). I spent a LOT on those Powers, plus the Eclipse 8454 and the ARC amp, but I believe that money is better invested in a high end 2 way.
IMO, allocate your cash to a really good 2 way set and you will be very happy.
Install is everything, install is everything.
Repeat 10 times [img]smile.gif[/img]
-D
I have heard all too often the problems you are running into with a 3 way. I am running a full active Focal K2Power setup, 6.5" driver plus tweeter, and the only thing I am missing frequency wise is low bass, because I have no sub yet
The Focal tweeters can play pretty reliably into the 2 KHz range and the woofers can play pretty high as well. They play awesome mid bass too (the first set of 6.5" components I have ever heard that actually hammer my chest the way a sub does). I spent a LOT on those Powers, plus the Eclipse 8454 and the ARC amp, but I believe that money is better invested in a high end 2 way.IMO, allocate your cash to a really good 2 way set and you will be very happy.
Install is everything, install is everything.
Repeat 10 times [img]smile.gif[/img]
-D
I agree. I've tried 3-way sets before and havent found them to be any better to my ears. I find that it's easier to place and eq the 2-way fronts which means better overall sound in my car. Having a dedicated midbass driver would be nice, but since I'm using a Scan Speak 7" I dont think I have many problems in that area.
Stick with a good 2-way [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
Stick with a good 2-way [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
Guest
Posts: n/a
I prefer a 3way setup. I like to have a very present midbass and without excessive EQ I find it hard to do that without overblowing the midrange sound if it is a single driver doing both duties.
Plus although I definitely do SQ, I like my system to be able to get LOUD and I find it easier to do that with a 3way setup.
Of course this is all opinion.
Part of the problem I think you are having with your 3way setup is you have different speakers from different manufacturers and they aren't voice or level matched at all. Unless one has the time and resouces to play with a lot of different speakers it is better to buy a boxed 3way set that is setup from the manufacturer.
Plus although I definitely do SQ, I like my system to be able to get LOUD and I find it easier to do that with a 3way setup.
Of course this is all opinion.
Part of the problem I think you are having with your 3way setup is you have different speakers from different manufacturers and they aren't voice or level matched at all. Unless one has the time and resouces to play with a lot of different speakers it is better to buy a boxed 3way set that is setup from the manufacturer.
^^^^ sage advice.
Three way systems, can be very good; however, they do take alot of work and experiance to make them sound good.
Two way systems are quite simple and do not require much effort to sound good. I have used both successfully. In my current car, I am using a two-way setup that works very well for me.
Three way systems, can be very good; however, they do take alot of work and experiance to make them sound good.
Two way systems are quite simple and do not require much effort to sound good. I have used both successfully. In my current car, I am using a two-way setup that works very well for me.
Guest
Posts: n/a
^ Agreed. We used to carry a home speaker line and in the line there was but ONE 3way tower, everything else was a 2way. The reason - I guess for them to get that 3way system to work they had to invest so much time and money into the mid that it was the most expensive part of the tower.
My car will be 3way. Our van is getting a 2way setup.
My car will be 3way. Our van is getting a 2way setup.
My next car will be 3 way, I've seen some interesting things recently with putting 3" domes in the A pillars, I may try it with the 3" dome on top, the tweeter below it, and the midbass in the doors... any thoughts?
Guest
Posts: n/a
if you are going to do 3 way, which isnt a bad thing, the best advice i could give you is to make sure you x-over electronically so adjustment, and there will be many with 3 way, can be made far easier and depending on the x-over, can be done in real time. the best sounding car i ever heard using conventional speakers, not horns and such, used a 3 way system
Yankee
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
Everything Dukk said was in line with my opinions. A 3 way comp set has advantages and should get louder, and sound better, than a similar 2 way from the same manufacturer.
The 2 ways advantage is simplicity, only one crossover range to deal with and the blending of 4 drivers vice 6. It is easier to go active with a 2 way, it consumes less internal volume than a 3 way (for me it was "so where am I going to stick this 8 inch mid-bass"). So yeah 2 way is easier than 3 way and for some may be the only way to go.
Like Dukk I chose 3 way comp set, a good 3 way system is incredible.
The 2 ways advantage is simplicity, only one crossover range to deal with and the blending of 4 drivers vice 6. It is easier to go active with a 2 way, it consumes less internal volume than a 3 way (for me it was "so where am I going to stick this 8 inch mid-bass"). So yeah 2 way is easier than 3 way and for some may be the only way to go.
Like Dukk I chose 3 way comp set, a good 3 way system is incredible.
50 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 60
Yeah, true. An active 3 way has the potential to sound better than an active 2 way, but getting good sound out of an active 2 way is a task, lots of tuning time. A 3 way would be much more time consuming and much more difficult.
Plus, good point about space. You need the room to put all these drivers.
Everyone has room for 2 pair. 3 pair... bit harder.
-D
Plus, good point about space. You need the room to put all these drivers.
Everyone has room for 2 pair. 3 pair... bit harder.
-D
