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Is Speaker design evolution stagnant

Based on what I read from speaker manufacturers, many use the same drivers but apply different crossover philosophies to achieve a particular sound.

My simplistic understanding is that while limiting the range of high or low signals , the remaining signal is corrupted ( phase inversions, roll off, etc.. ).

With today’s technology, why aren’t more speaker manufacturers using active crossovers to be connected after the preamp and sending exact spectrum signals separately to be amplified to each driver.  That would Eliminate all electronics inside the speaker cabinet except the drivers. Each driver gets fed only the signal that it works best at. No out of phase, half phase, quarter phase issues, no phase angle issues. 100% of the power goes to each driver without limiters to scale it back.  I think Bryston Model T Actives is designed this way ( don’t work for them and not pushing any product). Am I looking at it too simply? Do electronic crossover play havoc on signals the way inductors and capacitors do?

Some speaker manufacturers have gone half way with built in woofer amps ( Vaughn?)

Of course you would need a 3 channel amp for each side ( based on W/M/T config) or some variable of mono amps, whatever.



jacksky
jacksky OP
102 posts
 
Given the ever dropping cost of computer technology and ever increasing processing capabilities , this is what I imagine will happen IF there is good money to be made :   a few companies will pop up to manufacture active crossovers that can be used with any speaker along with an application that can be operated from a computer ( I-pad, I-phone, laptop....) and utilize a Bluetooth microphone.  It will allow you to generate the full spectrum of sound, take readings, give you graphs and allow you to equalize your speakers on the fly. 
i know some form of this exists, but I am talking user friendly software with real time results on a graph. like my son’s simple clip on guitar tuner, 3 led lights that light up to show you whether to tighten or loosen the string to be in tune.  

As as far as the cost, I think manufacturers will jump on board if they can sell more amps...home theater setups get people to buy 5-7-9 speakers instead of 2.
that seemed to catch on.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,476 posts
 
Check out ATC. They design and build all their drivers from scratch. They design and build all of their active speaker amplifiers with discrete parts.


erik_squires
16,037 posts
 
OP:

You need to go away. Seriously. You need to go away from this forum and go build your own active speakers. :)

Join us over in DIYAudio or the Parts Express forums. You'd learn a huge amount, build just what you like for pennies on the dollar and be much better informed than you'll gain from hanging out in open forums.

Good luck,

Erik 
chayro
2,983 posts
 
Given the choice, many speaker manufacturers would probably say that a every speaker should be built with its own external crossover and dedicated amplifiers, optimized for each driver.  Every parameter would be within the designer's control.  But the audiophile marketplace just doesn't accept that whole integrated philosophy.  People want to mix and match speakers, cables, amplifiers, etc.  So speaker manufacturers build what they think people want to buy.  
darkstar
29 posts
 
I agree that active crossovers are excellent. Yes you need more amp channels. But multi-channel amps are readily available. Take Erik's advice and learn more about this. 

My suggestion is to check out Linkwitz Labs website. 

Linkwitz also eliminates the box. His speakers are stunning IMHO and you can build a pair!


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