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

@musicaddict  Raise that crossover frequency, if you can!! Most find the reduction in distortion of the mains totally worth it.

@erik_squires Thanks for the suggestion, especially since like most men, I have a small pile of unmatched socks that lost their mates somewhere in the laundry process and I keep thinking the other half will reappear someday. If I like the outcome, once my Carinas arrive and I play w them a bit, I'll probably try to fashion something more permanent, since I picture eventually trying to fish a balled-up sock out of the speaker guts without damaging anything -that's just how my universe works LOL. Will do some digging to see if cork or foam or what might work for a custom fit. 

I'll probably try to fashion something more permanent, since I picture eventually trying to fish a balled-up sock out of the speaker guts without damaging anything

@mmmikeymike 

Hahah, don't do that!! You don't need to shove it in far.  Shoving the sock in deeper does not help.  Just so the majority of air is prevented from moving freely from the inside to the outside, and you can easily pinch it with your fingers to pull it out.  Really really helps to be able to measure the system and adjust EQ accordingly after plugging.