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Time for Two Ways !

There are as many types of speakers are there are human languages and dialects, but we have to agree one of the most popular formats is the two way system, with a tweeter and mid-woofer.

Sure, they are imperfect, often limited in bass or dynamic range, but they have major advantages as well:

  • Small Footprint
  • Small baffles
  • Single crossover point
  • Easier to integrate with a room’s acoustics

These are some general ideas. Of course, you don’t have to like 2-way speakers. You may prefer full-range single driver, ESL or 5-way beasts, but I hope we can please keep this thread 2-way friendly!

I’d love to hear from others about 2-way speakers you adore. Are you a 2-way only kind of audiophile?  How do you like yours? Horn loaded? Transmission line? Desktop?
erik_squires
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
609 posts
 
I'll vote for the ESS AMT ribbon and 10" version with the passive radiator too.  Still own a pair of the ribbons....

The 2 way format is what I'm playing with in my DIY pursuits, coupled to a sub.  Makes the most sense to me...

Nice threads, Eric.  Keep it up..;)
erik_squires OP
5,268 posts
 
Awww shucks guys!! :) Thanks for the votes for fun, welcoming threads on topics we don't get to see a lot in the press.

@asvjerry

Where you the guy I gave that 2 way schematic to? :)

I built my own 2-ways with AMT's. I'm DONE shopping for speakers like forever. I wish i had a chance to hear the ESS models ever, but I'll have to settle for the German versions. :)

Best,

E
wtf's avatar
wtf
306 posts
 
Great thread Erik. Again. 

Right now I'm using my single-driver Omega's, but I've held onto a pair of Mark & Daniel Ruby's purchased in 2010 to rotate back into the system when the mood strikes. They are 2-ways with an AMT tweeter and a bit tough to drive but with the right amp (class d works well here), they sound great. Specs from their website:

Frequency Response: 45Hz-25KHz
Two-way Crossover: 900Hz
Nominal Impedance: 3-6 OhmsAverage
Efficiency: 82.5dB/2.83V/1m
Power Handling: ≧ 80 Watts per channel
tubegroover
2,279 posts
 
After many years living with a wonderful pair of Merlin VSM 2-ways I have for the past 4 years been living with a pair of Decapo Be's. A more than 30 year old design under different names and refined over the years

Eric to your point to Grinnell switching polarity, I have to good effect. Another thing I tried recently is running the main speaker cable to the tweeter and jumping to the woofer, also to GREAT effect, subjectively greater clarity and separation. Got a call from my dealer out of the blue to try that. My in room response using a digital spectrum analyzer at the listening position is a quite flat response with a bit of a rise at arround 80 hz which was tamed with tube traps. Amazingly dynamic and BIG with a pair of Rel Strata III subs. Set up with these speakers is even more critical than most I've encountered.
jgandy
19 posts
 
 The JBL M2 Master Reference Monitor has  a horn loaded compression driver and 15" woofer, and reflects the result of the research of Dr. Floyd Toole at Harman.  JBL does not allow it to be sold unless driven by very high power Crown amplifiers  (biamped) with incorporated active crossover in the amps.  SEE EPISODE 216 OF HOME THEATER GEEKS DEVOTED ENTIRELY TO A DISCUSSION OF THIS EXCEPTIONAL SPEAKER.   This is the best system I have owned, and, surprisingly, cost only a fraction of my other setups.
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