Audiophiles can never be pleased with the basic audio quality; they always seek more and better. Choosing the best speakers is a tough decision if you are not aware of their specs and machinery. That said, here comes the age-old question, which is better: 2 way or 3 way speakers? This question has been asked by way too many people, way too many times.
2-Way and 3-Way speakers are the most popular systems in the AV landscape and are differentiated based on the type of drivers they offer.
Needless to say, 2-way speakers have two drivers while 3-way speakers have three drivers. Each type offers different sound waves and different degrees of sound experience. And both speakers offer unique features. So, let us put them up against each other, 2 way vs 3-way speakers.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2 WAY AND 3 WAY SPEAKERS?
2 way speaker
A 2-way loudspeaker has a set of 2 speakers in it. Both speakers offer separate frequency selections. Generally speaking, one speaker focuses on the Highs while the other on the Lows.
It has 2 kinds of drivers. One is called a Tweeter and the other driver is called the Woofer. A woofer is a type of speaker that handles only low-frequency sounds that usually fall under 3 -120 Hertz.
So what is a tweeter? Well, the tweeter exclusively handles high-frequency sounds, which cover the frequency range from 500 to 2000 Hertz.
3 WAY SPEAKER
A 3-way speaker contains, you guessed it, 3 speakers. Each speaker here boasts a separate frequency range. Since we have three speakers, one focuses on the Highs, one of the lows, and there is one that caters to the mid-range.
The 3-way speaker has not only the Woofer and Tweeter drivers but also the mid-range. That is the main and most obvious difference between the two.
The frequency range woofer covers are between 20 to 2000 Hertz; mid-range covers between 500 to 4000 Hertz and tweeter covers between 2000 to 20k Hertz.
With these huge figures of the frequency range, you can predict how loud and effective a 3-way speaker could get.
2 way vs 3 way speakers - Which is better?
The human mindset is very legitimate to predict that a 3-way speaker is much better than a 2-way speaker because it has an extra driver that makes it all worth it.
Well, it makes sense that three speakers instead of two would provide higher performance and fuller audio quality but this is not always true. The sound performance depends on other reasons as well, some of which is listed below;
Things you need to consider
So what's better 2 way or 3 way speakers? Some 2-way speaker systems on the market have entirely outperformed some of the mediocre 3-way speaker systems. Hence, you cannot misjudge the capacity of either a 2-way or 3-way speaker system. Knowing the application or use of the speaker is vital here to avoid confusion between choosing them.
Major Differences Between 2-way and 3-way speakers
Well, the answer is, again, it depends. However, since that is an absolutely annoying answer, I will try to be more direct. I would say you need to consider the kind of music you listen to. Both speakers are well suited for talk shows and podcasts, and audiobooks. So, no competition there. Where you feel the difference is during the music.
The 2-way speaker is capable of producing very clear audio. The sound feels very natural and lively. It is made of soothing music. Music that does not rely on bass all that much. Also, with one tweeter and one woofer, you get a balanced yet effective audio quality that you intended to have for everyday listening. Besides, the installation of a 2-way speaker is easier as you get fewer cables to manage and zero trouble.
If you are a bass head like myself that listens to everything from Blues to EDM to Progressive Metal, I suggest going for the 3-way speaker. A 3-way speaker aims to go as low as possible to get you the right bass quality in every beat of the song. An added benefit of buying a 3-way speaker is you can customize it as you wish. There will be a little trouble with the cable management here.
In very simple terms: If the bass is a priority, go with the 3-way. If not, 2-way will serve you just fine.
CONCLUSION
Before you read this 2-way vs 3-way speakers post, you weren’t even aware of what a 2-way or a 3-way speaker is. Now that you know, you will understand that choosing between either of these speakers is a matter of personal preference or budget.
If a tight budget is a constraint for you, then you can always go for 2-way speakers. This does not mean you will get cheaper quality or poor sound production. If you are fond of soothing music with less bass in that scenario, a 2-way speaker system is also a great choice. If the high price is not a concern for you, then a 3-way speaker is the best way out.
Although, if you are a fan of high bass, a 3-way speaker helps. Lastly, I would expect you to consider all the aspects or specifications of the speaker and only then choose.
Hope this 2 Way vs 3 Way Speakers was insightful. Cheers!
Gibson is a blogger and reviewer, whose passion is helping people with all the aspects of music through the blog he provides. Also, he is an artist and loves to create his own tunes by purchasing good quality musical tools. With his own experience, he has provided a great list of tools for you in this blog. Seeking the best quality musical tools? Read this blog and end your music thirst!