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single versus multiple driver?

I have for years been thinking over the idea of a single driver easy load speaker with low powered set amps. I would love to take the plunge but am a little weary about the performance and risk. I listen to mostly classical,opera,jazz,older pop recordings and the like. I am presently using a pair of sounddynamics three way 300ti speaker and driving them B&K M200 amps. also bass is supported with the use of a Rel StrataIII sub. I am asking the question have any gone to single and been very disapointed and gone back to multiple drivers? I mean it really seems like a no brainer single speaker with no crossover should account to better sound? Thank you all and happy holiday.
schipo
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
given your musical preferences, you may be disappointed.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,467 posts
 
Consider active speakers. There is no crossover and less IMD from the complex interaction of multiple drivers all connected to one amp. Tannoys have active dual concentric speakers if you are concerned about point source.
johnk's avatar
johnk
1,973 posts
 
Larger fullranges can produce deep bass. So many only have experance with very small drivers that could never aproach fullrange but folks still call them such. Face it 4 1/2in driver can not be fullrange;) That being said a good fullrange loudspeaker in proper cabinet design can produce very deep detailed bass and quality trebile but it will not be cheap. Many manufacters offer the small comprimised so called fullranges in wee AS boxes.Sure they can sound fine in small room or nearfield but they dont show what a true fullrange realy can do. That being said I perfer compresion drivers in multiway systems very costly to do right. Dont over look fullranges with super tweeters or bass drivers or other loudspeaker designs you can have it all if loudspeakers designed right but most are major comprimises designed for profits, WAF,trends or shipping costs as much as performance.
cycloneharry
11 posts
 
Check out this link of a review of Ed Schillings Horns "http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/hornshoppe2/thehorn.html". I listen to a wide variety of music from Patricia Barber to the Might Metallica and the Horns sound exceptional with both types of music. Got Metallica up to 105db with only 8 watts of power from my Jolida 300b. They are an exceptional value.
reubent
6,935 posts
 
I agree with Jaybo and Johnk. I currently use single driver speakers, have owned several others and heard many. Unless you are going to spend big money on a well designed and built example, you may be disappointed for your preference of music (classica/opera). Yes, an inexpensive SD speaker can play loud (Cycloneharry) or play well in a small room or near-field (Johnk), but it takes a seriously designed/built Single-Driver speaker to pull off Orchestral or Opera at concert volumes. All of the moderately prices SD speakers I've heard fail miserably at large scale classical music.

That said, for my music preference of small group jazz, folk rock, chamber music or even well recorded rock music, a simple AS single driver speaker can be a revelation in a smallish room and especially in the near-field.

Enjoy,

TIC
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