Years ago I owned a 2 and 1/2 way Spendor and it was outstanding. Here is how that design works
A 2 and 1/2 way design refers to two (or more) drivers covering the same region with each driver having a different cutoff frequency. This is most often done in the lower frequencies. If the cabinet contains two 8" low frequency drivers both will operate from the low frequency limit and upward. One of the two 8" drivers will roll off at 250Hz or so, therefore it is supplementing only the lowest few octaves. Both drivers handle the same extreme low frequencies but both do not handle all the same upper frequencies.