2-way soundsystem?
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URL: https://forum.speakerplans.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=109324
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 7:52am
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Topic: 2-way soundsystem?
Posted By: Dead_quiet
Subject: 2-way soundsystem?
Date Posted: 13 November 2025 at 8:27pm
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Hello everyone, I'm here to present my project and try to get some answers. I've built four 15" subwoofers (SATH 115 - 99dB 1W 1M, 1000W AES, 41 to 110hz). Originally I was thinking of making a 3-way system, but now I want to imagine a 2-way system. The project is to have a sound system that allows us to play a fairly wide range of styles (electro, dubstep, house, techno, disco, funk and more), primarily for DJ sets. The goal is to achieve a beautiful, natural, detailed, clear, rich, and full sound with good bass extension and a bit of impact. We're not looking to provide sound for huge spaces or large venues, so the trade-off will likely be the output. With versatility in mind and to simplify setup, we are considering a 2-way system. The advantage of our 15" subs is that they perform very well up to 110 Hz. The idea goes somewhat against the grain of traditional sound systems that are stacked in 3, 4, or 5-way configurations. The idea is to use stacks of 3 subs with one tops per stack. The goal is to be able to deploy them depending on the size of the event, with one, two, or 3 stacks. For these 3 subs, I plan to use a high-performance 3-way. The absence of a kick bin would deprive me of a powerful impact, but instead I am ready to prioritize a balanced but fairly nervous sound in these frequencies. What do you think of my reasoning? Do you believe a minimum of 3-way is necessary, or is 2-way a viable option based on my project? thank you |
Replies:
Posted By: Meat Substitute
Date Posted: 13 November 2025 at 8:54pm
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The rig I had out last weekend was 18-15-2 and had nothing but compliments. The cabs are all reflex. The tops can play down to 45Hz and the subs up to 300Hz if I need to. I've had just the 15+2 tops out before on their own and they were good for family parties and PA type work but for DJ stuff having the subs too is miles better. I used to have kicks and a more complicated rig but the simple setup now sounds better and is less of a pain in the ass. I'd like to see a 2 way rig using an 18+2 with some of the crazy new drivers out there though...
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Posted By: Conanski
Date Posted: 14 November 2025 at 1:18am
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Your complete system is going to be 3-way.. subs, mids, highs, there is no way to build a PA system with fewer than 3 bands and achieve true fullrange sound. That means 2-way tops which could include a passive crossover but it will perform better when all active. "The advantage of our 15" subs is that they perform very well up to 110 Hz. " OK but that still isn't high enough to meet even a large 2" exit compression driver which will have poor response above 8-10khz. There are now coaxial compression drivers like the B&C dcx464 that might be usable from 500hz up(its rated for 300hz but IDK what that sounds like), but that still leaves a sizeable low-mid gap.
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Posted By: Conanski
Date Posted: 14 November 2025 at 1:43am
No. I grew up hearing rigs that consisted of things like a 15" scoop with a big horn on top, it got loud but it was all mids with no lows or highs... not good. I know DSP processing would vastly improve that now but it's still not possible to get deep powerful lows and clear mids from the same driver.. it's a physics problem, an 18 would make the problem worse.
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Meat Substitute wrote:Posted By: Dead_quiet
Date Posted: 14 November 2025 at 9:25am
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thanks When i speak about 2-way, i mean 2 cabinets, subs + large band speaker like most of traditional PA systems. If i go up to 110hz with my subs, you don't think that a 3way speaker with dual 12" or 15"+8"+ compression on top of that couldn't manage to produce clear and balanced sound?
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Posted By: Meat Substitute
Date Posted: 14 November 2025 at 9:37am
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I think what you're suggesting is totally fine. 2 way bass is normally not needed for most things. We have another system that goes straight from 18" to 2x8"+1" and that sounds fantastic. Crossed over at 180Hz. Obviously this will depend on the exact details of your cabs but crossing at 110Hz should be totally ok. Just get everything aligned properly and you're away.
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Posted By: Dead_quiet
Date Posted: 14 November 2025 at 10:29am
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thank you, IMO it should be working. Knowing that I'm a beginner in this field and don't have much experience, I get the impression that the kick is becoming a kind of standard in DIY PA and that it's not necessarily essential. Tell me if I'm wrong, but if you want to play dub or techno, then this element seems indispensable; moreover, the audience is looking for that feel. On the other hand, if you don't use a kick , is it possible to imagine a rich and energetic reproduction in the 100-200Hz range? The impact in the chest might not always be the most pleasant thing after all? perhaps just a nice feeling about this range could let more space to the whole sound? I'm trying to look at things differently. |
Posted By: Conanski
Date Posted: 15 November 2025 at 1:09am
Oh it most certainly would you just have to realize that what you suggest is a 3 or 4 way system... it doesn't matter if the drivers are all in one cabinet or in separate boxes.
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Posted By: madboffin
Date Posted: 15 November 2025 at 4:09pm
| Just to add to what others have said, what you're building would normally be described as a "two-box" system. |
Posted By: Dead_quiet
Date Posted: 17 November 2025 at 8:05pm
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Hello, yes, I was referring to a "two-box" system. After thinking about it, it seems complicated to design this kind of system without using very large tops. My subs are compact, so it seems logical to do the same for the rest of the system. A 12" kick reinforcement with two 8" or 10" tops seems like a better option. Smaller boxes would be easier to store and move (I live in the city and don't have extensive logistical resources...). |
Posted By: Conanski
Date Posted: 17 November 2025 at 8:55pm
| Single 12" 2-way boxes will still be smaller and easier to move than 15" subs, there is something to be said for system simplicity too... less external wiring. There are 2 ways to build a box like this depending on what you want from it, use a 1" exit CD with a 2khz internal crossover and a mid-bass 12, or use a 1.4" CD to crossover to a more bass oriented 12 at around 1.2khz. The first option gets a bit louder and has good topend extension but may be a little light in the kick region, the second option produces stronger kick and mids(vocal range) but needs some EQ help on the very topend. |
Posted By: Steve20131
Date Posted: 17 November 2025 at 10:29pm
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Yes you are right, if handleability and space are a problem, 8" tops would be better. B&C and LaVoce make affordable 8" that will port easily down to the frequencies you specify and punch well into the 120's. Thats just two, if your 15's are super duper you will need 4. Wiring for 16ohm will still give you enough spl but your amplifier will run cooler, TID will reduce and slew rate improve. Again if sound quality is important using 20 10w 2" dome tweeters will make crossing over easier really flexible, remove standing waves and the squashing noise cd's make. Comb filter will only be a problem within 5 feet which proximity your ears will be more deformed than the sound hold on......say this https://www.bluearan.co.uk/index.php?id=LAVMAF08200AF" rel="nofollow - Lavoce | Lavoce MAF082.00 | Lavoce MAF082.00 - 8" 200W 8 Ohm Loudspeaker £58.00 These are so dirt cheap!!!!!
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Posted By: Steve20131
Date Posted: 18 November 2025 at 4:32pm
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https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126962287204" rel="nofollow - Small Speakers 5.6cm dia (6cm Sq) 8 Ohm 2 W MINT Condition Used Tested Set of 6 | eBay UK
24 for £56 So £232 for 4 8"s £290 for one hell of a bang and you can cross between 1800 and 3.5k, they would probably beam too much after. The tweters, plenty enough to stagger for 80° Well one option.. |
Posted By: Xoc1
Date Posted: 19 November 2025 at 1:10pm
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Yamaha DXR12 Active speakers have a 100 & 120 Hz crossover setting. You would need to be quite skilled to build anything better than a pair of those!
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