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single versus multiple driver?

I have for years been thinking over the idea of a single driver easy load speaker with low powered set amps. I would love to take the plunge but am a little weary about the performance and risk. I listen to mostly classical,opera,jazz,older pop recordings and the like. I am presently using a pair of sounddynamics three way 300ti speaker and driving them B&K M200 amps. also bass is supported with the use of a Rel StrataIII sub. I am asking the question have any gone to single and been very disapointed and gone back to multiple drivers? I mean it really seems like a no brainer single speaker with no crossover should account to better sound? Thank you all and happy holiday.
schipo
larryi
3,969 posts
 
Hi Gmood1,

I am curious, what driver do you use and what kind of enclosure is it in? I am amazed at the variety of successful ways single drivers are used -- bass reflex, front-loaded horn, back-loaded horn, transmission line, etc.
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
My speaker uses a Fostex F200a driver in a mass loaded transmission line.
prfont
89 posts
 
Musicfile,

I started with Omega's super 3xrs which is a small floorstander. I was a little dissapointed in the overall balance, which certainlty could be how they are placed in my room(close to front wall). They were surprisingly, a little too warm and rich for my tastes.

I did a little research, noticed some speakers that I admired with ribbon tweeters, and ordered a pair of fountek neo2.0s from madisound. From there is was a mater of experimenting with the proper cap value(.47uf for me) to achieve the right balance. This took about a month of experimentation. The fountek added that wonderful air and extension that balanced the xrs's slighty rich sound. It sits on top of the speaker and is not attached other than to be shimmed slighty to get the right level.

As stated above by others, a 4.5 incher is ideally suited to smaller rooms and lower volumes . This happen to be my priorities/situation fortunately and this combo is a superb low volume solution. I listen to a wide range of music from classical, jazz, world and alternative.
sirspeedy
738 posts
 
I don't know what number of drivers is best,but I can say that I had made it my business to hear the HUGE multi driver BIG Nola Exotica Grand system,driven by the ASR Emitter amps,not too long ago.In a dedicated,and very well set up room.SOTA room acoustucs,and equipment....Yet....in all honesty I had a headache after about thirty minutes.Yes,they were dynamic,and had all of the "audio" traits,but there was just something annoting about the sonic presentation.Just my opinion
Shortly before "that" listen I had heard the diminutive two way Kharma 3.2's driven by the FABULOUS Lamm 2.1 amps.I brought a bunch of my reference Lp's and CD's with me."The flutter of Angel wings"!!That is how it seemed to me,as the sound,though on a much smaller scale,just floated around me.I LOVED IT!!!
Best.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
single or multi driver cone designs have colorations. everytime i hear a cone design, i hear the cabinet and the drivers. i guess one man's trash is another man's treasure.
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