Full range speakers, 2-way speakers, semi-way?

This is why 2-way speakers can provide an excellent compromise for many PA scenarios.

Time and again, our Technical Project Management team receives questions regarding speaker 'paths'. Therefore, we want to explain here what you need to know about full range, 2-way and 3-way speakers. Our previous projects have certainly shown: it is an advantage if everyone knows the basic terms. We are happy to take care of this.↵

The frequencies are divided between the different speaker 'paths'.

Basically, it is about the distribution of tasks within the speaker. The simplest version of a speaker consists of a cabinet with a single driver, i.e. a built-in cone with the technology to convert electrical pulses into sound. This one driver, this one cone converts everything coming from the sound source (amplifier, MP3 player). Thus, the signal only goes one 'way' in the speaker.
However, different frequencies benefit from respectively different driver designs and cone diameters. Thus, it makes sense to divide the tasks within the speaker between multiple drivers or 'sound paths'. A crossover network distributes the frequencies in the speaker and passes on part of the frequencies to one driver and another part to another driver. Hence, the speaker system features 2 'paths' for the audio signal.

 

 

A small cone does not only provide a worse bass reproduction, it is totally impossible from a certain bass frequency on. A cone which is too small, cannot physically convert these deep bass frequencies. As a result, the low frequencies feature a much worse efficiency and a very limited maximum sound level.

Wait a minute! Transducer = Driver = Path?

These terms are always mixed up, especially in forums and online magazines. To put it in plain English:

  • The transducer converts the signal from an electrical pulse into movement of the cone.
  • The driver is the thing which emits the audible signal, i.e. the connection between the cone and the technology connected to the cone.
  • The path, on the other hand, is the actual distance an audio signal covers after the crossover network.

Full range speaker

Consequently, we would have to write '1-way speaker'. However, the term 'full range speaker' has become established. It is used to describe speaker systems which feature only one driver to reproduce the full range of frequencies. This results in potentially very affordable full range speakers. And there is another big advantage: because there is only one sound source due to the single driver, there is no signal loss due to overlapping. The full range speaker provides a well-defined radiation angle and is thus easy to align. Ceiling speakers are often full range speakers for two reasons:


Full range speaker

Consequently, we would have to write '1-way speaker'. However, the term 'full range speaker' has become established. It is used to describe speaker systems which feature only one driver to reproduce the full range of frequencies. This results in potentially very affordable full range speakers. And there is another big advantage: because there is only one sound source due to the single driver, there is no signal loss due to overlapping. The full range speaker provides a well-defined radiation angle and is thus easy to align. Ceiling speakers are often full range speakers for two reasons:

  1. The well-defined radiation pattern allows for a perfect distribution of ceiling speakers.

  2. Ceiling speakers are intended for large-scale PA applications.

Thus, there are many. Hence, they must be cost-efficient.

Full range speakers are, however, not ideal for a high-quality sound reproduction, especially if they are to reproduce more than just moderate volume levels. Nevertheless, they are a top choice for background music, in the supermarket or as part of an office sound system.

WIDE BELTS, MOST DIFFERENT TYPES

SPE-150/WS
Particularly flat broadband in-wall loudspeakers
SPX-32M
Exceptional HiFi wideband chassis
NR-10M
Flush-mount horn speaker (music horn)

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Offices
Flush-mount speakers, 250–500 m2
Bar
Flush-mount speakers and surface-mount speakers, 150–270 m2

2-way loudspeaker: Everything is easier in pairs

These PA speakers work with two paths, i.e. with two drivers specialised in certain frequency ranges. A crossover splits off the harmonics and sends them to the tweeter, the other frequencies go to a much larger bass-midrange driver ("TMT"). Pendulum or spherical speakers are also available as 2-way speakers. 2-way speakers are often a good compromise between price and performance. The construction is a bit more complex, because the crossover is a critical component. Due to its crossover function, it slightly alters the sound - with poorly made speakers, audible losses occur.


2-way loudspeaker: Everything is easier in pairs

These PA speakers work with two paths, i.e. with two drivers specialised in certain frequency ranges. A crossover splits off the harmonics and sends them to the tweeter, the other frequencies go to a much larger bass-midrange driver ("TMT"). Pendulum or spherical speakers are also available as 2-way speakers. 2-way speakers are often a good compromise between price and performance. The construction is a bit more complex, because the crossover is a critical component. Due to its crossover function, it slightly alters the sound - with poorly made speakers, audible losses occur.

2-way speakers are particularly suitable for music reproductions. Two drivers provide a clear and well-balanced sound, even though a bass-midrange speaker does not replace a subwoofer.

 

What does crossover frequency mean when referring to multi-way speakers?

The crossover frequency indicates the point at which the crossover network splits the audio signal into different paths. Thus, the value indicates the frequency limit up to which a driver can reproduce the sound. Many bass-midrange speakers reproduce everything below and up to 2,000-3,000 Hz. The tweeter then takes over all frequencies above that. A general rule:

  1. The crossover frequency should cut off the reproduction of the respective driver approximately where the driver would 'bundle', i.e. unintentionally deviate from its radiation pattern.
  2. As a result: the bigger the bass-midrange speaker, the lower the crossover frequency may be. A 9.8" bass-midrange driver already bundles at 1,000 kHz. This should be the crossover frequency.

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2.5-way speakers: What is a half-way?

A 2.5-way speaker usually features one tweeter and two identical bass-midrange speakers. The trick: one of the two bass-midrange speakers disengages above a certain frequency range. The disengaged speaker is only responsible for the lower midrange and deep bass reproduction. Thus, only half-way. Hence, there are 2.5 ways altogether:

  • Path 1: full tweeter

  • Path 2: full bass-midrange speaker

  • Path 2.5: bass-midrange speaker with a limited frequency to be reproduced which 'does not play' in the midrange.

Why add another half way instead of a whole one? The aim is to achieve a more consistent sound than with a 3-way speaker which features 3 drivers and consequently 3 sound sources. Hence, it provides a rather heterogeneous sound. Furthermore, the group delays between midrange and deep bass are to be reduced which can also be a problem with 3 paths. This could only partially be solved by using cost-intensive technology.

More paths, more quality?

Manufacturers could divide the frequency spectrum into more and more paths. There are 3-way speakers and 4-way speakers, it is however also technically possible to have more ways. Nevertheless, an exact and interference-free interaction of the individual drivers requires a great deal of technical tuning. With each new driver, we are faced with an increased difficulty to balance volume and phase. 3-way systems are technically complex, often cost-intensive and comparatively susceptible to design faults. The large crossover network with its many components is a gateway for interference.

The trick is to achieve a perfect sound for your application scenario with as few speakers as possible.

The technical disadvantages in case of more than 2 paths:

  1. the more paths and thus sound sources a speaker system features, the further the speaker moves away from the ideal point source.
  2. The crossover network, as a typical source of error and loss, is bigger and bulkier in a 3-way system than in a system with fewer paths, or it must feature a very elaborate design.
  3. Although a 2-way system can also feature intermodulation distortion and Doppler effect due to 2 drivers having to transmit a wider frequency spectrum, this effect may even be more noticeable with low-quality 3-way systems.

All in all, 2-way speakers are a good compromise between a high quality for speech and music reproductions and pragmatism.

With this background knowledge, we want to make it easier for newcomers, buyers and interested parties to understand the world of PA technology. Please continue to read in our magazine if you are planning a PA system, positioning ceiling speakers or looking for the right amplifier.

Bildquelle Headergrafik: © vulcanus – Adobe Stock

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