Difference Between Different Speaker Configurations

[Sencheezy 689]

I have always wonder this, exactly what is the difference between these different speaker configurations. I want to know the difference, well the reason behind the following.

Two-Way speaker

Three-Way speaker

Four-Way speaker

Would like to know the Purpose, Pros/Cons of said above.

Also, would appreciate some shed of light comparing this/these to an active or passive setup. For example, I know some people decide to buy a woofer for midbass/midrange purposes and company it with a tweeter. Ok, that makes sense to me. So in essense, is that what a "Two-Way" speaker is trying to accomplish? Taking that idea, do I apply the same principle for Three-Way and Four way? Where as a Three-Way will try to mimmick a woofer, midrange and tweeter combo? And IDK WTF is a Four-Way trying to accomplish lol, I just know I have seen them around.

In advance I do apologize if this as already been discussed.

[Sencheezy 689]

I have always wonder this, exactly what is the difference between these different speaker configurations. I want to know the difference, well the reason behind the following.

Two-Way speaker

Three-Way speaker

Four-Way speaker

Would like to know the Purpose, Pros/Cons of said above.

Also, would appreciate some shed of light comparing this/these to an active or passive setup. For example, I know some people decide to buy a woofer for midbass/midrange purposes and company it with a tweeter. Ok, that makes sense to me. So in essense, is that what a "Two-Way" speaker is trying to accomplish? Taking that idea, do I apply the same principle for Three-Way and Four way? Where as a Three-Way will try to mimmick a woofer, midrange and tweeter combo? And IDK WTF is a Four-Way trying to accomplish lol, I just know I have seen them around.

In advance I do apologize if this as already been discussed.

Well, with a little bing searching, I was able to find this article (http://www.ehow.com/about_5495319_difference-amp-threeway-car-speakers.html) which does help me better understand the difference between a speaker's configuration. So I guess I really just need some insight on the pros/cons of multi-speaker setup vs. speaker that are already configured with a built-in crossover. Obviously some pros would be space saving, ease of installation, but how about sound quality and other factors that are involved with a properly configured mobile audio experience?

Here is what the article states:

Car audio systems use full-range speakers to distribute the widest possible sound frequency spectrum, within a limited space. Two-way and three-way speakers, called coaxial and triaxial respectively, are the standard speaker types able to accurately reproduce full range sound. Proper placement, space acoustics, speaker quality, amplifier and frequency crossover type all contribute to sound quality.Related Searches:

1. 
   Two-Way Coaxial
   
   • Two-way coaxial speakers, the more popular choice, consist of a woofer and tweeter. The woofer reproduces bass and mid-range frequencies, while the tweeter reproduces high-mid and high frequencies. Coaxial speakers are integrated units, with the woofer comprising the speaker frame and mount area, and the tweeter suspended on an inner frame across the woofer. The individual speakers are tuned to accept isolated frequencies, which are filtered to the speakers by an electronic or mechanical frequency crossover--usually built into the speaker cone or frame.

Three-Way Coaxial

• Three-way triaxial speakers feature the same integrated construction, but add an additional speaker, smaller than the woofer and larger than the tweeter, to handle isolated mid-range frequencies. Triaxial speakers are equipped to reproduce the full audio spectrum more efficiently, since the frequencies are now split into three sections, with dedicated speakers handling each frequency group.

Component Speakers

• Two and three-way component speaker systems are installed in high-end audio systems. Component systems use separate speakers, one for each frequency range, rather than integrated units. These systems are difficult to install, as they require creation of mounting and sound output areas, which means cutting up the vehicle. They also require external crossovers, and the consequent extra wiring can be tricky. Component systems offer the advantage of custom speaker placement for optimum sound quality; bass speakers are mounted close to the floor, the mid-range somewhere above and tweeters pointing toward shoulder or ear level.

Speaker Crossovers

• Speaker crossovers filter frequency groups within the audible spectrum. In a two-way system, the crossover splits the frequencies into lows and highs. In a three-way system, the frequencies are split into lows, mids, and highs. Crossovers are either mechanical, where the speaker cone design itself limits and isolates frequencies; or electronic, where a circuit filters and isolates frequencies electronically, sending the signals to individual speakers. In component speaker systems, the amplifier may have the crossover built in, or use single or multiple units .

Frequency Response and Sound

• Typical audible frequencies are within 30Hz to 22kHz. Low frequencies, toward the 30Hz end, are felt more than heard. High frequencies, toward the 22KHz end, come across as high-end hiss. Speakers are rated in ability to handle a range of frequencies, with specifications available from the audio dealer or manufacturer's website.
  Since all full-range speakers are designed to handle similar frequency ranges, the real question is sound. Although three-way speakers are more efficient in theory, a two-way speaker, which handles the same frequencies, is also designed to be efficient. Variables and limitations in speaker placement and acoustic properties of space, particularly in vehicles, play a huge role in overall sound quality

[ssh 924]

I am by no means an expert but:

One way would consist of one speaker playing all frequencies from signal source.

Two way would be two speakers.

Three way would be three.

etc.

Most of the time people don't consider a subwoofer adding to the "xxx-way", so someone may have a 2-way setup, but technically it's 3-way if you count the subwoofer.

I'm guessing you can get better sound quality if you split the audio spectrum up and dish out each section to a speaker.

example: if you have the hpf set too high for your subwoofer, it starts to sound bad, it's playing frequencies it's not designed for.

So if you split the spectrum up, then you can dole it out to multiple speakers and each speaker can be designed to work well for that range.

This is just my guess. Although I know if you have too many speakers then it's quite easy to destroy all imaging, and the sound will sound like it's coming from all over the place.

With a component set or active setup, your free to position the speakers anywhere you see fit, anywhere that sounds best to you.

passive / active

Passive speakers are a set of speakers that come with an onboard/inline crossover network. ex: component sets.

Active speakers use an adjustable crossover network whether it be on the amplifier, processor, or digital processor.

With an active setup your able to tweak the crossover points, slopes, and likely EQ (if your setup allows for it) to make your speakers sound the best in their installation and location.

An example of my "active" setup.

I have 2 large format tweeters and 2 midbass/midrange drivers. This would be considered a 2-way setup.

I'm using an ms8 that goes in between the headunit and amplifier.

rca signal source goes from headunit to ms8, then gets split up to four rca channels (left tweeter, right tweeter, left midbass/midrange, right midbass/midrange), these four channels go to my 4channel amp (I don't use any settings on the amp except for gain).

The ms8 comes with an lcd screen and remote, I'm able to plug in that I'm using two drivers per side, thus 4 channels. Then I can set the crossover points and slopes between the speakers.

example:

(ssf: 20hz 18db slope) SUBWOOFER SIGNAL (hpf: 70hz 18db slope) MIDBASS/MIDRANGE SIGNAL (lpf: 1200hz 18db slope) TWEETER SIGNAL

Subwoofer will be playing from ~20hz - ~70hz (remember slopes are not cut off points, but attenuation)

Midbass/Midrange driver ~70hz - ~1200hz

Tweeter ~1200hz+

[Sencheezy 689]

I am by no means an expert but:

One way would consist of one speaker playing all frequencies from signal source.

Two way would be two speakers.

Three way would be three.

etc.

Most of the time people don't consider a subwoofer adding to the "xxx-way", so someone may have a 2-way setup, but technically it's 3-way if you count the subwoofer.

I'm guessing you can get better sound quality if you split the audio spectrum up and dish out each section to a speaker.

example: if you have the hpf set too high for your subwoofer, it starts to sound bad, it's playing frequencies it's not designed for.

So if you split the spectrum up, then you can dole it out to multiple speakers and each speaker can be designed to work well for that range.

This is just my guess. Although I know if you have too many speakers then it's quite easy to destroy all imaging, and the sound will sound like it's coming from all over the place.

Passive speakers are a set of speakers that come with an onboard/inline crossover network. ex: component sets.

Active speakers use an adjustable crossover network whether it be on the amplifier, processor, or digital processor.

An example of my "active" setup.

I have 2 large format tweeters and 2 midbass/midrange drivers. This would be considered a 2-way setup.

I'm using an ms8 that goes in between the headunit and amplifier.

rca signal source goes from headunit to ms8, then gets split up to four rca channels (left tweeter, right tweeter, left midbass/midrange, right midbass/midrange), these four channels go to my 4channel amp (I don't use any settings on the amp except for gain).

The ms8 comes with an lcd screen and remote, I'm able to plug in that I'm using two drivers per side, thus 4 channels. Then I can set the crossover points and slopes between the speakers.

example:

(ssf: 20hz 18db slope) SUBWOOFER SIGNAL (hpf: 70hz 18db slope) MIDBASS/MIDRANGE SIGNAL (lpf: 1200hz 18db slope) TWEETER SIGNAL

Subwoofer will be playing from ~20hz - ~70hz (remember slopes are not cut off points, but attenuation)

Midbass/Midrange driver ~70hz - ~1200hz

Tweeter ~1200hz+

Thank you so much stef! Wow, you just cleared up just about everything for sure man. I mean, yeah, that does make sence to split up the spectrum, but surely the manufacture does that in some kind of way withing those Multi-way speakers right?

[ssh 924]

I am by no means an expert but:

One way would consist of one speaker playing all frequencies from signal source.

Two way would be two speakers.

Three way would be three.

etc.

Most of the time people don't consider a subwoofer adding to the "xxx-way", so someone may have a 2-way setup, but technically it's 3-way if you count the subwoofer.

I'm guessing you can get better sound quality if you split the audio spectrum up and dish out each section to a speaker.

example: if you have the hpf set too high for your subwoofer, it starts to sound bad, it's playing frequencies it's not designed for.

So if you split the spectrum up, then you can dole it out to multiple speakers and each speaker can be designed to work well for that range.

This is just my guess. Although I know if you have too many speakers then it's quite easy to destroy all imaging, and the sound will sound like it's coming from all over the place.

Passive speakers are a set of speakers that come with an onboard/inline crossover network. ex: component sets.

Active speakers use an adjustable crossover network whether it be on the amplifier, processor, or digital processor.

An example of my "active" setup.

I have 2 large format tweeters and 2 midbass/midrange drivers. This would be considered a 2-way setup.

I'm using an ms8 that goes in between the headunit and amplifier.

rca signal source goes from headunit to ms8, then gets split up to four rca channels (left tweeter, right tweeter, left midbass/midrange, right midbass/midrange), these four channels go to my 4channel amp (I don't use any settings on the amp except for gain).

The ms8 comes with an lcd screen and remote, I'm able to plug in that I'm using two drivers per side, thus 4 channels. Then I can set the crossover points and slopes between the speakers.

example:

(ssf: 20hz 18db slope) SUBWOOFER SIGNAL (hpf: 70hz 18db slope) MIDBASS/MIDRANGE SIGNAL (lpf: 1200hz 18db slope) TWEETER SIGNAL

Subwoofer will be playing from ~20hz - ~70hz (remember slopes are not cut off points, but attenuation)

Midbass/Midrange driver ~70hz - ~1200hz

Tweeter ~1200hz+

Thank you so much stef! Wow, you just cleared up just about everything for sure man. I mean, yeah, that does make sence to split up the spectrum, but surely the manufacture does that in some kind of way withing those Multi-way speakers right?

If you look at a coaxial speaker, you'll likely see a woofer and a tweeter in the center, and it'll have some basic crossover setup in there.

I think for the most part the crossover setup would be similar to: 0hz - 1000hz goes to woofer, 1000hz+ goes to tweeter. I just made up those numbers, but you get the idea.

[Sencheezy 689]

I am by no means an expert but:

One way would consist of one speaker playing all frequencies from signal source.

Two way would be two speakers.

Three way would be three.

etc.

Most of the time people don't consider a subwoofer adding to the "xxx-way", so someone may have a 2-way setup, but technically it's 3-way if you count the subwoofer.

I'm guessing you can get better sound quality if you split the audio spectrum up and dish out each section to a speaker.

example: if you have the hpf set too high for your subwoofer, it starts to sound bad, it's playing frequencies it's not designed for.

So if you split the spectrum up, then you can dole it out to multiple speakers and each speaker can be designed to work well for that range.

This is just my guess. Although I know if you have too many speakers then it's quite easy to destroy all imaging, and the sound will sound like it's coming from all over the place.

Passive speakers are a set of speakers that come with an onboard/inline crossover network. ex: component sets.

Active speakers use an adjustable crossover network whether it be on the amplifier, processor, or digital processor.

An example of my "active" setup.

I have 2 large format tweeters and 2 midbass/midrange drivers. This would be considered a 2-way setup.

I'm using an ms8 that goes in between the headunit and amplifier.

rca signal source goes from headunit to ms8, then gets split up to four rca channels (left tweeter, right tweeter, left midbass/midrange, right midbass/midrange), these four channels go to my 4channel amp (I don't use any settings on the amp except for gain).

The ms8 comes with an lcd screen and remote, I'm able to plug in that I'm using two drivers per side, thus 4 channels. Then I can set the crossover points and slopes between the speakers.

example:

(ssf: 20hz 18db slope) SUBWOOFER SIGNAL (hpf: 70hz 18db slope) MIDBASS/MIDRANGE SIGNAL (lpf: 1200hz 18db slope) TWEETER SIGNAL

Subwoofer will be playing from ~20hz - ~70hz (remember slopes are not cut off points, but attenuation)

Midbass/Midrange driver ~70hz - ~1200hz

Tweeter ~1200hz+

Thank you so much stef! Wow, you just cleared up just about everything for sure man. I mean, yeah, that does make sence to split up the spectrum, but surely the manufacture does that in some kind of way withing those Multi-way speakers right?

If you look at a coaxial speaker, you'll likely see a woofer and a tweeter in the center, and it'll have some basic crossover setup in there.

I think for the most part the crossover setup would be similar to: 0hz - 1000hz goes to woofer, 1000hz+ goes to tweeter. I just made up those numbers, but you get the idea.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing... Just curious to why people would avoid that vs going seperate speakers for seperate duties when you could get in all in one package, but once you mentioned the flexiblity of spreading out the audio specturm for each person it makes sense now.

[ssh 924]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing... Just curious to why people would avoid that vs going seperate speakers for seperate duties when you could get in all in one package, but once you mentioned the flexiblity of spreading out the audio specturm for each person it makes sense now.

One of the biggest things is being able to tweak and eq a speaker to it's location, installation, and surroundings. The same speaker mounted in a door panel, sealed kick panel, ported kickpanel, dash, will likely sound different in each type.

Issues may occur when it's mounted in the dash and reflecting off the windshield verse being mounted low and off axis in a door. An actual sealed kick panel or pod verse an IB setup from a sheet metal door, etc.

All these different variations will effect the frequency response of the speaker, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

[Sencheezy 689]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing... Just curious to why people would avoid that vs going seperate speakers for seperate duties when you could get in all in one package, but once you mentioned the flexiblity of spreading out the audio specturm for each person it makes sense now.

One of the biggest things is being able to tweak and eq a speaker to it's location, installation, and surroundings. The same speaker mounted in a door panel, sealed kick panel, ported kickpanel, dash, will likely sound different in each type.

Issues may occur when it's mounted in the dash and reflecting off the windshield verse being mounted low and off axis in a door. An actual sealed kick panel or pod verse an IB setup from a sheet metal door, etc.

All these different variations will effect the frequency response of the speaker, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

Thanks again man and I would be definately using your setup as a refrence