2-way speaker with best bass

If you want to get bass below 60Hz from a two-way, you can get it. You have to choose your speaker carefully -- the Merlin VSM mentioned above and the orphaned Meadowlark Shearwater are examples -- then place it well. Realistic, tuneful, articulate bass, yes sir, and low enough that the wavelength is too long for the room and them low lows wind up in the kitchen. Punch you in the spleen and flutter your shoelaces, no.

Not forgetting to give your speaker good electronics, a good source, good cables... all things that affect bass from any speaker, just like placement. I would mention room treatment but a poor room also will keep a more-than-2-way from giving decent low end output. But the OP knows about all these, and the crossover tradeoff factor, and bla bla bla.

So to answer his question : Merlin VSM and Meadowlark Shearwater Hot Rod IMO, and I'm sure there are others.

Another approach would be speakers with self-powered LF drivers that can be tuned to optimize bass according to placement such as the Zu Definition 2s or the Rhethm Saadhana. Not sure if these would qualify as 2-way, but they are crossoverless.

Another two way that is impressing many on the Klipsch forum is the Jubilee. 2 12" drivers mated to a huge horn. 105dB. My 2 way Epic CF3's drop down into the 20's. If you don't mind a 2 way that weighs over a 100 pounds, that is.

Tobias,

Agreed. Firstly let me say this is an awesome speaker. You are talking prodigious bass in a two way. Extremely impressive. However, do you not notice the "hole" in the midrange - especially around 1 to 3 Khz? For sure this kicks butt in the bass but I am sure you'll agree there has been a trade off to achieve this (mostly unavoidable due to physics).

Shadorne, I take it you are talking about the Meadowlarks.