Two-way speakers have two drivers that deliver high and mid-range frequencies. Three-way speakers have high, mid, and low range frequencies.
These are the two basic types of speakers that you can buy and the choice of which one is right for you depends on what you are looking to get out of your music, how much space you have, and how much money you are ready to spend.
Different Kinds of Speakers
When you think about how you listen to music, chances are that you think you are only listening through one speaker. Did you know that there are actually different types of speakers, and they all have their own advantages and disadvantages?
It is true. The human ear is actually most sensitive to mid-range frequencies. This is why a good sound system will have at least two speakers. One of these is for mid-range sounds and the other is called a “tweeter” for high frequencies.
Some sound systems actually have a third speaker called a subwoofer. Subwoofers are designed to handle low-frequency bass sounds.
Two-way speakers are generally the most popular. Unless you are a passionate audiophile, you likely will not even notice a difference between two-way and three-way speakers unless you are closely examining them side by side.
What Are Two Way Speakers?
A two-way speaker is a type of speaker that has two types of drivers, the woofer and the tweeter. The woofer covers mid-range frequencies, and the tweeter covers high frequencies.
Two-way speakers are generally more popular than three-way speakers, for a number of reasons. Some of the reasons people like them are:
- They are usually more affordable than three-way speakers
- They are physically smaller and take up less room in your home, car, or studio
- They are simple to set up
- They use less power
- They can be installed almost anywhere
There are drawbacks to two-way speakers though, especially if you are an audiophile. Some of these disadvantages include:
- Unless you connect a subwoofer, the bass frequencies are hard to hear
- There is less detail in the low and mid-range frequencies because the woofer is covering both ranges
This is why people who are looking for the absolute best quality of sound possible tend to prefer investing in three-way speakers.
What About Three-Way Speakers?
A three-way speaker is different from a two-way speaker because the third speaker is reserved for low-range frequencies. This is called a subwoofer and these speakers can deliver the best quality sound because you can adjust each individual driver to deliver the sound mix that you want. This is why three-way speakers are particularly popular among car audio enthusiasts.
These are especially popular with audiophiles and music lovers. Some of the reasons for their popularity include:
- The overall sound quality is better, and you have more options
- There is more clarity from each individual frequency
- You do not get distortion, as long as the crossover is good
- You do not need to connect extra subwoofers
Of course, there are also drawbacks to three-way speaker systems. These are:
- They are more expensive than most two-way speakers
- They are less popular, so there are fewer options
- They are bigger, bulkier, and take up more room
What Is a Crossover for a Speaker?
A speaker crossover is a type of electrical device that receives a single input signal, then splits that signal into different frequency ranges to drive multiple different speakers. It is important to have a high-quality crossover so that you can get an even signal in all of your speakers and avoid any distortion.
In fact, even though three-way speakers are normally higher quality than two-way speakers, the quality of your crossover can change that. A two-way speaker with a high-quality crossover will perform worse than a three-way speaker with a cheap crossover.
Which Kind of Speaker Is Better for My Car?
Most sound systems in cars only have two-way speakers, because this is much easier to install than a three-way speaker.
It is certainly possible to install a three-way speaker in your car, but this is relatively rare and much more expensive. These speakers require a lot more space and might get in the way of other essential components that make your vehicle run.
What Kind of Speaker is Better for a Home Theater?
Three-way speakers have a lot more bass output so they can handle a fuller sound when you are watching movies and TV shows. Some people prefer to use a two-way speaker that they then connect a bass booster, subwoofer, or an equalizer.
Of course, some people are happy to just use the basic speaker that comes built into their TV system. Some people purchase soundbars that they feel give a better sound than just the TV. However, neither of these options will deliver as full of a range of sound as a two-way or even a three-way speaker will.
What Kind of Speaker is Best for a Music Nerd?
At the end of the day, the difference between a two-way and a three-way speaker is negligible, unless you are obsessive about getting the most detail with your sound. If you are someone who is passionate about music and sound quality, there is no substitute for a good three-way speaker set.
Final Thoughts
There are two basic types of speakers. They are two-way and three-way speakers.
Three-way speakers deliver a fuller range of sound but the choice of which one is right for you depends on how invested you are in sound quality, what your budget is, how much room you have, and where you plan to put the speakers.
Three-way speakers are a lot more expensive than two-way speakers are. For the average consumer, there is no need to splurge on an expensive three-way speaker when a standard two-way speaker will serve them just fine.
