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single driver speakers

Someone please help me out here...

I am struggling to understand how a single driver system can sound anywhere near as good as a multiple-driver system with crossovers...

I understand that crossovers and multiple drivers can have issues with interference, phase, etc - but those drawbacks would seem to be vastly outweighed by the increased frequency response and clarity within a frequency spectrum that a multi-driver system produces.

I see these

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis8ij2i-voxativ-ampeggio-due-70-off-priced-to-move-full-range

and just can not wrap my mind around how they could sound better than a multi-driver system costing 1/10 as much. (no knock intended on the seller of these speakers, I was just browsing listings and saw them so it made me wonder)

Thanks!
babyseaotter99
sunshdw's avatar
sunshdw
256 posts
 
I built my single driver system and love it!! I've had a few people come listen and they're always blown away of the sound that is coming out. If you are in the central CA area let me know and I'll demo it to you. 
larryi
4,038 posts
 
Sunshdw,

I hope you are willing to share details about your single driver system, such as the kind of driver and the type of cabinet it is in. 

I have heard systems built around a pretty wide assortment of drivers--from modest Tang Band drivers (quite good) to Feastrix field coil drivers (a friend got them at a super bargain price of $18k for a pair) to 1940-50 drivers--and they all share an immediacy and liveliness that is quite addicting.  I have also seen such drivers used in a wide array of cabinets--transmission lines, back-loaded horns, open baffle, sealed box, bass-reflex--so I am curious how you did your system.  
sunshdw's avatar
sunshdw
256 posts
 
Larryi,
Its a Audio Nirvana/ Schiit combo w/ a subwoofer xover at 45hz. The boxes are a internally braced/insulated bass reflex type with a large port opening and is made from 1" Birch. Someday I'll add to the virtual systems portion but chances are I won't due to threads like this. 
larryi
4,038 posts
 

Sunshdw,


Thanks for the information.  I looked up the Audio Nirvana drivers.  I like what I saw.  I am a fan of drivers with pleated fabric surrounds; they tend to be more lively sounding than drivers with the half-roll soft surrounds that are common these days. 

nickolaspappas
40 posts
 
You can’t understand what “coherent” means until you’ve heard a good single driver speaker. They have their weaknesses (like everything), but they have a naturalness and coherence that nothing else can compete with.
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