2-way vs. 3-way

2 way has only one crossover. Many people believe crossovers cause phase and other anamolies and without a doubt they eat up power. OTOH, 3 ways have each driver covering a smaller frequency range which often can lead to lower distortion. As is usually the case, there are tradeoffs a designer makes and implementation is often more important than the specific design type.

As is usually the case, there are tradeoffs a designer makes and implementation is often more important than the specific design type.

Well said!

I'll just add that the fact that the low frequency driver in the 2-way speaker has to handle frequencies relatively high up in the mid-range likely means that it will not be able to produce bass as deep as in a 3-way of comparable quality.

Regards,
-- Al

Two way is good for nearfield (3 to 6 feet). Generally three way is needed for far field (8 feet +). A two way just cannot do it all (cover the enormous bandwidth with two drivers and do this with low distortion and even dispersion at the higher SPL levels necessary to sit far back).

Agree with the 2-way statements,but using multiple midwoofers can produce good bass extension and still handle the dutires in the mids/lo-treble.Simpler is usually better.