single versus multiple driver?

I listen at about 12 feet away and the size of my room is 16' x 30', not a small listening room or near field by any means. They are free standing if you put these rear loaded horns directly into corners you can increase the db they produce by 5 or 6db. Hey I also have a pair of Tyler pro dynamics PD30's and let me tell you these little horns dont miss a beat.

I've hesitated responding to this thread because I'm a "Rookie" with regard to single driver speakers, but I thought I'd add my limited experience with my Lowther Transmission Line speakers. I just finished listening to a new Dave Matthews CD "Live at Piedmont Park" and it is as dynamic a CD that I own. I'm blown away with the accuracy of the bass and the detail all the up through the symbols. I'm listening at levels just below 90dB in my living room. At volumes above this level they do get congested. Bass is measuring down to 30Hz. I'm not experienced with grand orchestral recordings, but to single out all SD speakers for chamber music would be a mistake.

I've heard a number of modern single driver speakers as well as modern designs using ancient Altec/Western Electric drivers. They make most conventional speakers sound lifeless and drab in terms of dynamics. But, the lack of bass/midbass and the midrange coloration is quite pronounced. Personally, while I might tolerate the coloration if I listened only to instrumental jazz and female vocals, I find it particularly hard to listen to such systems with orchestral classical music and opera.

Hey Mijknarf ..rookie? Any man that can build his own speakers like that..is no rookie my friend!

SDs are just like any other speaker. They all have their flaws. You just choose what you can live with.

As far as bass shy and mid bass shy goes..not all single drivers are created equal. I listened to a friend's vintage klipsch a few weeks ago. My single drivers easily dug deeper and had better highs than this multi way speaker. In fact I couldn't find anything about the klipsch that actually bettered my SDs. Even the drum attack in RR music was missing by comparison.

If it were better in some ways, I would honestly say ...just not the case with this multi way. I'm sure his klipsch play much louder..that's about it.

Hi Gmood1,

I am curious, what driver do you use and what kind of enclosure is it in? I am amazed at the variety of successful ways single drivers are used -- bass reflex, front-loaded horn, back-loaded horn, transmission line, etc.