2-way speaker with best bass

Another approach would be speakers with self-powered LF drivers that can be tuned to optimize bass according to placement such as the Zu Definition 2s or the Rhethm Saadhana. Not sure if these would qualify as 2-way, but they are crossoverless.

Another two way that is impressing many on the Klipsch forum is the Jubilee. 2 12" drivers mated to a huge horn. 105dB. My 2 way Epic CF3's drop down into the 20's. If you don't mind a 2 way that weighs over a 100 pounds, that is.

Tobias,

Agreed. Firstly let me say this is an awesome speaker. You are talking prodigious bass in a two way. Extremely impressive. However, do you not notice the "hole" in the midrange - especially around 1 to 3 Khz? For sure this kicks butt in the bass but I am sure you'll agree there has been a trade off to achieve this (mostly unavoidable due to physics).

Shadorne, I take it you are talking about the Meadowlarks.

It is impressive, at least to me--the Shearwater's bass, that is. For a two-way, it's exceptional. Mr. Atkinson is more rolled-off in his praise:

reasonable bass extension

--this from the link you kindly provided, Shadorne.

I can see the dishing in the upper mids from 1K to 5K in Mr. Atkinson's tweeter-axis plot, but like other points he brought up in his test series, it didn't seem to bother the reviewer (Chip Stern). I can't say it bothers me either, perhaps because my as-yet-untreated room is quite lively.

If you'd like to hear for yourself how Pat McGinty managed his tradeoff in the Shearwater design, you're welcome. Drop me a line if you come to Montreal.