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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
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.
kana813
956 posts
 
Has anyone tried the Manger or KM-50 mini drivers in a DIY
project?
sean
6,231 posts
 
I've never seen very much on the Manger's although the design intrigues me. John Curl has made some very positive comments about these drivers and their potential, but once again, they are limited in terms of spl and extension. The articles that i have seen have suggested using multiple Manger's to get around this problem, which somewhat defeats the purpose of using a full-range driver. That is, the point source radiation pattern is lost with more potential for phase related cancellation issues. Sean
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