There are many opinions of what is better as far as 2 way vs. 3 way components. There are differences that have to be weighed out when choosing. Pros and cons are so:
2 way components: Benefits are that they are smaller, cheaper, and easier to install. Crossover design is also simpler and has less crossover points, which is good for sound quality because the less crossover points, the better blending between drivers, also, a crossover point in an important frequency range results in degraded sound quality, so the fewer crossover points you have, the better. The problem is that the woofer has to produce a wide frequency band, from midbass up to midrange (wherever the crossover point is, typically 3-3.5k). This makes design of the mid a compromise, and the mid has to be a "jack of all trades" so to speak, just imagine a mid trying to produce midbass and high midrange at virtually the same time, so a poor design lacks one way or the other, sometimes midbass won't be up to par, and some will have a fatiguing, screechy higher midrange reproduction. Of course, excellent design combats these problems. Because of smaller drivers (typically 6.5"), midbass is usually not as good as a well designed 3 way system, meaning you'll have to choose a subwoofer very carefully, because the sub will need to have good midbass transition (around 80 hz or so usually). It sounds bad, but consider that every winning IASCA vehicle that I've seen has done so with a 2 way component system, proof that 2 ways are more than sufficient for sound quality, more on this later.
3 way components: Benefits are that 3 ways have dedicated drivers for midbass, midrange, and treble. A well designed 3 way system will give you punchy midbass, a smoother, more articulate midrange with less listening fatigue, and crisp, detailed treble, you also have less distortion because you have dedicated drivers that are focused within a narrow range. They can also usually handle more amplifier power and get louder than an equivalent 2 way system. Cons are that they are difficult to install, they have more complicated crossovers, drivers have to be designed to blend well and work well with the crossover so SQ doesn't degrade at crossover points (which are usually in an important range), they are also more expensive. They are more difficult to install for optimum SQ. There are less compromises in the design between the midbass and midrange region, meaning the drivers can be optimized for a certain narrower region, and can lead to more accurate reproduction and a more dynamic sound. The midbass, usually around 8", can drop lower than that of a 2 way system usually, the typical 2 way system is typically accurate to around 80hz, with the very best ones going down to around 60. A 3 way's midbass can typically handle 40-60 hz accurately, allowing better bass transition and keeping the bass up front more easily, it also allows you more sub options as midbass transition isn't as important. This means that you can choose that high excursion, more SPL inclined sub and not suffer as much from it (lower bass, say below 50 hz, doesn't have the subtle nuances that midbass does, plus it's very hard to pick up distortion on bass that low)
With that in mind, you HAVE to choose what is right not only for your ears, but for your vehicle. Install is worth about 90% of how a system sounds. On paper, a 3 way component system would appear to be the most sonically accurate, but in the real world, it's a lot different. A 3 way component system will offer fewer installation options than a 2 way system will, meaning that if you do not have a lot of room to work with to get it right, you're probably better off with a 2 way system. Blending of drivers has to be considered, and with 3 ways this is usually limited to door locations with most vehicles, and while some door locations sound great when done right, others suffer. The midbass from a 3 way system will require more airspace, and usually require seperate airspace from the midrange, also a concern to those with smaller vehicles. Top notch SQ vehicles angle the midrange to get the best center and side to side imaging, this is usually done with 2 way systems because there is more room to get it perfect(plus there is only one driver to angle, with a 3 way, you'd more than likely have to angle the midbass and midrange similarly, much harder to do it right), this is a lot of the reason that most winning IASCA systems use 2 way systems.
Anonymous
Posted on
WOW, thanks for the description. Think I'll go with 2 ways, not a lot of room in my car.
(lower bass, say below 50 hz, doesn't have the subtle nuances that midbass does, plus it's very hard to pick up distortion on bass that low)