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
Erik, my previous speakers were 2.5 ways (Paradigm Studio 60/2).   In reality it is two way design with extra speaker for the low frequencies.  My new 3 way speakers have much better bass - not by extension, but rather by very natural attack and decay of the bass notes.  Disadvantage of any 2 or 2.5 way design is "bending" at the higher midrange. 
@astewart8944 - Then I'd suggest keeping what you have. 

Dialing in a new pair of speakers like that will get complicated. 

@kijanki - Could you explain what you mean about bending at the upper midrange? 

Best,

E
@astewart8944  - The one thing, I would encourage you to play with room acoustics. Throw some blankets between and behind the speakers on the floor. See if you find something there you like. Of course, this is temporary!!! 

Best,

E
Erik,  Two sides of midrange driver membrane produce the same sound only when you face it straight.  At the angle there will be reduction because of the phase shift (longer distance).  At certain frequency and the angle it will  cancel the sound completely. 
I have the Spendor A5r 2.5 speaker. If it has 2 crossovers, 900 HZ and 3.2 HZ. I still don’t understand why this is not called a 3 way speaker? BTW, the bass is outstanding on the s 5 inch woofers!