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Single vs Multiple driver loudspeakers...

What are the pros and cons between Single Driver loudspeakers and multi-driver loudspeakers? The arguments with single driver loudspeakers are that their simplicity makes them easy to drive, plus the x-over-less setup improves dynamics, not to mention no phase problems. The thing I read is that no single driver can possibly produce the full range of sound, and most necessitate a subwoofer. On the other hand, multi-driver loudspeakers can offer a full range, but some say that more than one driver introduces phasing problems to some degree.

I have a multi-driver system that sounds great. How would a single driver setup improve my sound, if at all? And if single drivers are that much of an improvement, why are they harder to find(at least for me)?

I have also read that multi-driver loudspeaker more than often need to be paired with a high wattage amp because of the lower sensitivity, ranging from 89db and less, while single drivers loudspeakers are great for low powered tube amps because of their higher sensitivity.

Most of this, is what I have read, but never really heard.

Can someone educate me?
matchstikman
aroc
760 posts
 
I always thought this poster nailed it, at least as far as SET amps (which are often paired with speakers like single driver units or speakers without crossovers). link= "Reasons why I like SET topology so much"
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
That's a very nice post you dug up Aroc! Amen Twl!
sean
6,231 posts
 
I am NO fan of "sterile" sounding audio systems, regardless of how well they measure. Music is neither sterile or boring and in order to reproduce it as it was recorded, a system needs to maintain a high level of accuracy. Combining the two aspects of reproduction ( musicality and measurable accuracy ) gives us "musical accuracy". Sean
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sean
6,231 posts
 
Twl: By the way, Nelson's comments about this being "the best sounding speaker he's ever heard" has a LOT to do with the linearity of it. After he was done combining equalization and amplifier loading characteristics, that speaker was VERY close to being "flat". While he did comment on the lack of bass, he's taking care of that in his next article. That is, he's going to bring in "El Pipe-O", which is a HUGE vertical pipe housing a sub that he built a while back. Sean
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gregm
3,405 posts
 
I readily subscribe to El's opinion,
It just isn't fair to force an excellent midrange driver to perform woofer and tweeter duty
and would add, it's not necessary, either.
The average Lowther, Supravox, Diatone, AER, etc will get you through the dangerous 150-8kHz region famously, even without a wizzer. Sensitivity is usually well over 95db and many of these drive units allow 30+W rms, offering a prodigious dynamic range, comparatively speaking.
Cut the low Xmax FR at ~150, and leave it alone n the highs. One can easily add low frequency energy to a FR using a pair of (active) subwoofs, either a W horn or open baffle.
A super tweet, while difficult to place (wave lengths at 8-12kHz are VERY small), will do the job once you calculate its position precisely (there's always some elbow grease & maths when it comes to spkrs!).

And, you're set! Lowther PM5 & EX4 (that I'm familiar with) have no trouble anymore reproducing the complexity of a full-scale orchestra -- add a chorus too, while you're at it.
The dynamics are incomparable, of course!
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