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Single vs Multiple driver loudspeakers...

What are the pros and cons between Single Driver loudspeakers and multi-driver loudspeakers? The arguments with single driver loudspeakers are that their simplicity makes them easy to drive, plus the x-over-less setup improves dynamics, not to mention no phase problems. The thing I read is that no single driver can possibly produce the full range of sound, and most necessitate a subwoofer. On the other hand, multi-driver loudspeakers can offer a full range, but some say that more than one driver introduces phasing problems to some degree.

I have a multi-driver system that sounds great. How would a single driver setup improve my sound, if at all? And if single drivers are that much of an improvement, why are they harder to find(at least for me)?

I have also read that multi-driver loudspeaker more than often need to be paired with a high wattage amp because of the lower sensitivity, ranging from 89db and less, while single drivers loudspeakers are great for low powered tube amps because of their higher sensitivity.

Most of this, is what I have read, but never really heard.

Can someone educate me?
matchstikman
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
Well we have some Lowther fans here. I bought mine to just fool around with. I stuck them in an empty room, with a receiver--for breakin.Every couple of hours I'd sneak in for a listen.It wasn't long till I moved the Montanas to make room. That was the week before Thanksgiving. I haven't changed the Montanas back yet. To me the simple description would be--These speakers emit a set-sound even when driven by a ss amp.----In my case a Marantz receiver. No matter what the numbers say it's the music and does it sound good?? Way simple,huh?
sean
6,231 posts
 
Gregm: According to the chart that Nelson Pass had published in that article, the Lowther DX55 showed a gradually dropping slope below appr 700 Hz. As compared to the average output levels in the upper midrange & treble regions, output was down appr -4 dB's at 500 Hz and appr -13 db's at 200 Hz. As such, without some type of equalization circuit, the usable bandwidth of this specific driver is much narrower than what you've described.

For those of you that are "into" the full-range driver approach, AudioXpress recently had an article about modifying a small Tang Band driver. After modifications, it was FAR more linear than any Lowther i've ever seen and even had greater bass extension and linearity. The fact that it is only a 3" driver severely handicaps the ability to achieve the spl's and / or dynamics of the much larger Lowther drivers. Once again, we come back to the fact that there are trade-offs with ANY loudspeaker design and they become even more complicated as one reduces the number of drivers used.

It's too bad we can't find some way to make a plasma driver both more efficient and wider bandwidth. This would solve all of our problems. Well, that and getting rid of the excess ozone that they generate : ) Sean
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eldartford
4,262 posts
 
I just read Nelson Pass's writeup on his "Kleinhorn". Surely this was intended for the April issue of some magazine.
sean
6,231 posts
 
The article was published in the January 2005 issue of AudioXpress, complete with photos, text and test results. It is no joke as can be seen by the end result. Sean
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eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Sean...Any wife will tell you...it is a joke. As NP himself says..."I have to SMILE when I see that all this effort barely gets us below 50 Hz".

Somehow the use of a long horn to enhance LF response seems inconsistent with what the FR people cite as the main benefits of FR...no phase shift due to a crossover, and colocation of LF and HF sound generation.
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