capn_krotch

What is the difference between 2-way, 3-way, and 4-way speakers?

Also, i want to replace the speakers all around. can i buy a set of 6.5 components and a set of 5x7/6x8s and just swap the woofers? ikesound.com has a set of pioneer 6.5 components and 5x7 2 ways. would ordering both sets and swapping the woofers work?

thanks..
-alex

hihoslva

2-ways: also called coaxial - has a woofer and tweeter in one unit.

3-ways (yeah baby ) - has woofer, tweeter, and usually a "big tweeter" to act as a midrange.

4-ways (really kinky now ) - adds a fourth size of speaker to the unit - but usually just a double of the midrange like in the 3-ways.

As far a "swapping woofers" - I'm not so sure what you mean, or what your intention is.

Component sets come with a separate woofer and tweeter, and a crossver unit to send the proper frequencies to each driver. Swapping a coaxial speaker into the mix really won't gain anything.

If your intention is to find (or make?) a component set that fits the stock location as a drop-in, there are a few out there. I know Infinity just came out with a 5x7 component set, and I think a few others are made also.

~HH

capn_krotch

sorry i wasn't clear, i'm probably using the wrong terminology.

when i say "swap the woofers" i mean the speakers - not the tweeter. this way, i could put the 6.5 speakers that came with the component set in the rear doors and the 5x7 stand alone speakers in the front doors to work with the tweeters and crossovers that came with the set of 6.5 components. does this make sense? could it be done?

thanks for clearing up the whole 2,3,4 way thing. so essentially the more "ways" ur speaker goes the better a speaker it is?

thanks
-alex

hihoslva

The issue with swapping the woofers the way you describe is the crossovers.

The crossover unit that comes with a component set is generally designed to work with only that set. That is NOT to say that it CAN'T be used with other speakers (I've done it), but it's not really designed to be.

The other problem as I see it is that if you do this, you will have only a midrange woofer in the back doors. While this in itself is not a problem, the issue is that the crossover is designed to remove the high frequencies from that speaker and send them to the tweeter. If you just run that woofer without the crossover, you will be sending it full-range signals, and basically asking that speaker to high frequencies that it can't - and wasn't designed to - play. This will most likely reduce the sound quality and power handling from that speaker, and could even damage it over time.

Also, with a coaxial speaker up front, but using a crossover and separate tweeter also, the tweeter inside the coaxial speaker probably won't play (the crossover will send all the highs to the separate tweeter instead). Kind of a waste, IMHO. Why have the interference of the coaxial tweeter if it's not even going to be used?

My suggestion would be to install the speakers as they are designed for best performance and longevity. If you want a component set up front, put one there! Look into the 5x7 (6x8) component sets on the market, use a 6.5" or 5.25" component set with an adapter so they'll fit, or simply forget the separate tweeter and use a coaxial speaker. For the rears, I wouldn't spend too much money or energy there - a simple coaxial should do just fine.

Trying to do this the way you describe might work - but it also might not sound the way you'd like it to.

And the more "ways" does not necessarily mean "better". In fact, it's usually a bit gimmicky. I mean, a 4-way speaker that has these tiny little midranges stuck in the middle of it will generally be outperformed by a quality two-way or component set. Not always the case, but a 3- or 4-way speaker is usually kinda meaningless. The way to find out is by auditioning speakers until you find what sounds best to you - be it component, coaxials, 3-ways, etc etc. Just make sure that your audition is taking place with the speakers under similar power to what your setup will be - don't let a salesman audition a bunch of speakers for you using a separate amp (even turned way down) when you will be powering them with a CD deck. It's not the same.

~HH

capn_krotch

got it, thanks for clearing that up. thats the suspicion i had when i thought about doing this but i wanted to make sure.

the reason i wanted to do this was because i saw a better sellection of 6.5 components and 5x7 coaxials on ikesound.com.

-alex