Phase and time alligned speakers

I must be in a disagreeable way today. All single element and single driver systems are not inherently time aligned. In fact, when a cone driver is used above the frequency that it maintains pistonic motion it is operating in breakup mode wherein one part of the cone is moving outward while another is moving in. Interestingly, many very fine systems operate their mid/bass or full range drivers this way. Flat frequency response can be maintained as well as excellent dispersion, however time response is, necessarily, compromised. Virtually all single cone systems with 5" or 6" drivers are in breakup as early as the top of the midrange. The Lowther and several others such as the Phillips even add a whizzer cone to tailor the breakup of the cone. There will not be any passing of square waves on these systems. Not with the integrity of Judit's beloved Thiels and Vandys and certainly not like the Quad 63 which actually uses annular rings and a delay line to yeild both phase coherance and point source dispersion.
Marty

All speakers will benefit from a more perfect signal. Phase and time correct speakers are no different. Feed them a good signal through good electronics and wire and you will be justly rewarded.
For a good read, visit the Audio Perfectionist Journal. Richard Hardesty believes in this design. Also, read watchdog #13 at the same sight. Fried discusses time and phase coherent speakers. I agree with what he says. I've been using this type of design and found it to be a very good thing. I have been ultimately disappointed by other designs. They start off well but then you begin to miss something.
Time and phase speakers I feel are misunderstood. One, we are talking acoustical phase which affects time(and visa versa) Two, they are very hard to design properly. Three, they have complex crossovers to achieve the design goals contrary to what some would have you believe is a single cap. Four, they are MORE costly to build. Five, they DO require a more complex setup. This is the most important aspect really. It makes or breaks the speaker.
Most dealers don't have a clue to how to set them up or don't want to take the time. You can't just slap them in any old spot like a lot of other speakers and expect decent sound. It want happen.
Once I was exposed to this design, I want being going back. They will perform adequately without the best electronics but will reward you if you can afford the best. Just make sure they are set up properly.

Oh, Marty, everyone has a disagreeable day now and then.

Marty...most speakers...operating as such in the time domain...are poor instruments...but then again...not every time and phase correct speaker has "blown my hair back"...Vandersteen,Meadowlark,etc are good speakers...but to me..their shortcomings have more to do with LF extension(or lack of it)...and in this regard...at their prospective price point...they are no different than many other designs...

I agree totally with Phasecorrect; I am not a fan of any of the mentioned brands. The tradeoffs, to my ears, are much greater than the befifits. I'll stick with higher order X-overs for now.