2 way and 3 way, Im confused

[slim142 9]

Ok so here

Im going to get Image dynamics XS-65 which consists of a 6.5inch woofer and a tweeter. Thats 2 way right?

So if I plan on using it together with my 12inch subwoofer, would that make my setup a 3 way?

I just read that for a "true" 3 way, you need a tweeter, a midrange (3 inch) and a woofer (5-6inch). So I was wrong the whole time? Then if you add a subwoofer, you actually have a 4-way system

Also, from what I read is that what Im actually going to have (with the xs-65 components and my 12inch sub) is called a 2 way crossover + subwoofer and NOT 3 way?

So this confuses me even more because.... if you get a 3 way component set, then how do you run them active? A .4 amplifier (like the SAX-100.4D) is only able to run a woofer and a tweeter, not a third driver.

And I thought 3way crossover was the max you could get from top of the line headunits, in the last few years companies have only released 3 and 2 way crossover headunits thats probably why I was never aware of 4way crossovers (if any??)?????

I hope somebody can help me here, Im starting to get more lost as I cant find a good explanation

[KU40 173]

When one talks about 2- and 3-ways, they're only talking about component sets. The sub does not factor in. So if you have a mid and tweet, it's 2-way. Woofer, mid, and tweet is 3-way. SUBwoofer doesn't count.

To run a 3-way component set active you either need an amp with 6 channels of amplification (yes they do exist), or you get a 4 channel and a 2 channel. You don't have to have all the speakers ran by the same amplifier.

[Impious 1,476]

It is really all relevant to the conversation.

Yes, technically you would have a "3-way system", you are correct there.

Where you get confused is that when most people are talking about the "-way" with regards to speakers, they aren't including the subwoofer. So if someone says they are running "2-ways" they have a tweeter and mid, and "3-ways" are a tweeter, midrange and midbass. If you consider their system as a whole, someone with 2-way front speakers would have a 3-way system, and a 3-way front stage would have a 4-way system.

But you also have conversations regarding to crossovers/processors/headunits, in which case the "-way" needs to include the subwoofer. A 3-way headunit can highpass (for the tweeter), bandpass (for the mid) and lowpass (for the sub). A 4-way process has a highpass (for the tweeter), usually 2 bandpass channels (one of the midrange, one for the midbass) and lowpass (for the subwoofer).

Crossovers/processors/headunits are also talked about in terms of channels. A 6-channel headunit has 6 individual outputs (front left, front right, rear left, rear right, sub left, sub right), however that headunit may or may not be a 3-way headunit. If the front and rear channels can only be highpassed, but not bandpass, it's not really a 3-way headunit. But if it can bandpass either the front or rear channels then it would be considered a 3-way headunit. An 8-channel processor may or may not also be a 4-way processor in the same way.

Confused yet?

Yes, there has been an 8-channel 4-way headunit; the Clarion DRZ9255. There are also 4-way processors; the JBL MS-8 and Alpine H701 for example. You can also use a 6-channel "2-way" headunit (front and rear channels can only be highpass) to create a "3-way system" by using the lowpass crossover on the amplifier in conjunction with the highpass in the headunit to create a bandpass on one of the channels.

I think some people stopped including the subwoofer in the "-way" for the entire system with the advent of surround sound, where the subwoofer channel started being denoted as ".1" in the terminology (5.1, 7.1, etc). But yes, if you have a tweeter, mid and subwoofer you have a "3-way system", but a "2-way front stage".

[slim142 9]

Ok understood

So yeah Im going to have 3 way system, but if talking about front stage, 2way.

Im getting a Pioneer headunit thats has 3way crossover, that most likely would be highpass, single bandpass and lowpass filters right?

[Impious 1,476]

What's the model # ?

[slim142 9]

DEH-P800PRS

[Impious 1,476]

I'm pretty sure the 800PRS offers a bandpass crossover.

[///M5 2,833]

It definitely does. Great H/U

[slim142 9]

I just hope I made a good decision.

I was between the pioneer, the eclipse 7100/7200 and the alpine 9887.

Now for components im debating if I should go for Morel hybrid ovation II or keep on checking for more options...

[///M5 2,833]

$$$$ equipment won't buy you a good sounding car, a good installation will always trump the gear.

[slim142 9]

So basically this is what yo are saying?

I could get some $500 morel components, but they will sound like crap compared to a pair of pioneers with deadened doors and amplified?

On a side note, idk if I should deaden my doors, I might be changing cars soon

[Adrian_D 520]

If you are sure you won't keep the car for a long time, at least seal all the gaps in the door. It will make a tremendous difference.

Good choice on the 800PRS.

[///M5 2,833]

Installation isn't just deadening, but you got the point. I'd rather have $80 into my drivers and have them installed right than have $3000 set installed as per the factory in 99% of cars.

[slim142 9]

Cool!, now I have one more case scenario. Let me know your opinions.

Since I dont know if Im keeping the car, can I just get the components, install them myself without deadening the doors and when the time comes to change the car, move my stuff over to the new car but while installing also apply the deadening to the new car? It would make more sense. I dont really want to waste time, money and SecondSkin in a car I wont be driving in the future.

I should still be able to hear a good difference between the factory speakers and the new components right in the car I have now right? even without sound deadener.

Let me know your opinions

Edited September 14, 2010 by slim142