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Is the 2.5 way speaker the ideal home speaker?

Time for what I hope is another fun thread. 

One type of speaker which is actually pretty common but which gets little press / attention here on audiogon is the 2.5 way. 

A 2.5 way speaker is almost a 3-way, but it isn't. It is a speaker with 3 drivers, but instead of a tweeter, midrange and woofer (TMW) it lacks a true midrange. The "midrange" is really a mid-woofer, that shares bass duties with the woofer. Often these two drivers are identical, though in the Focal Profile 918 the midwoofer and woofer were actually different drivers with the same nominal diameter (6"). 

The Monitor Audio 200 is a current example of the concept, but I am sure there are many others. It's also quite popular in kit form. One of the most high-end kits I know of is the Ophelia based on a ScanSpeak Be tweeter and 6" Revelator mid-woofers. I haven't heard them, but I am in eternal love with those mid-woofers. I believe the original plans come from the German speaker building magazine Klan Ton. 

However many other kits are also available

But regardless of kit, or store purchased, are you a 2.5 way fan? Why or why not? 

Best,


Erik 
erik_squires
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,805 posts
 
I would have to say that the 2.5 way speaker is the least common of speakers. I have owned a 2.5 way Spendor and it was real nice. There is only one 2.5 way Spendor that is still in their line.
http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/94325/Spendor-Spendor_D7_Stereo_Speakers-Speakers
tutetibiimperes
202 posts
 
What advantage would a 2.5 way have over a true 3-way?  I'd think a real dedicated midrange driver would be better than a midwoofer that also has to handle bass frequencies.  I suppose you could have a more simple crossover with a 2.5 way, but plenty of 3-way speakers have well designed crossovers.  

KEF uses 2.5 ways in some of their Q and R series lines, and the Paradigm Prestige series is 2.5 way.  I haven't heard the KEFs, but the Paradigm Prestige is a very nice sounding speaker.  
chrisr's avatar
chrisr
543 posts
 
Possibly,, as long as the bass driver is in its own enclosure?
rlb61
792 posts
 
I think a 2.5 way is an interesting concept. I prefer a 2 way with a subwoofer, which provides options in tailoring the lower frequencies. 
amg56's avatar
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amg56
887 posts
 
The only example I have seen had a level bypass circuit at so one did the mid to high and the other the mid to low. From memory the enclosures were fairly complex with each mid/bass driver ported differently. The brain has had too many dinner wines to remember their brand.
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