YACT: 2-way speakers vs. 3-way speakers

[Liviathan]

So this week I am replacing the sound system in my car. I have 2004 Mini. Going to an Alpine HU(CDA-9853) also got the KCA-420i to hook my ipod.

I want to replace the speakers. Been looking into some alpines that they have at the shop by my house. Today I was roaming through best buy, looking for some unrelated stuff and they had some 3-way Pioneer speakers on sale. Now my car has 2 speakers in front, 2 in back and 2 tweeters in the door.

Can someone explain me the difference and advantages. I think 3 way has hi/lo/bass built in, then what about 2-ways?

 

[ToeStub]

Forget the speakers and buy an eightball of crank for you and your buddies. After a few lines you won't notice how crappy your speakers are.

 

[b0mbrman]

3-way is midbass, midrange, and tweeter...2-way is midbass and tweeter

Advantages are that three differently-sized speakers can better cover the audible frequency spectrum than two. Disadvantages are that it's more expensive...

Also, buying online will save you a lot more money. If you're not installing an amp, a speaker install is very easy.

 

[Nebor]

Also look into component speakers, with crossovers for each speaker.

 

[radioouman]

How big are the speakers in your Mini? I'm just curious.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Nebor
Also look into component speakers, with crossovers for each speaker.

Not if he's running off the deck...coax speakers are ok because they're more efficient

 

[Liviathan]

Not getting the amp right now. I just want to see how things sound first. I am not a loud sound guy. Like my sound crisp and clear. I'm a rock, pop type music guy, not bass heavy stuff.

I believe they are 4x6's and 5x7s.

If anyone has any recommendations for speakers please let me know.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Liviathan
Not getting the amp right now. I just want to see how things sound first. I am not a loud sound guy. Like my sound crisp and clear. I'm a rock, pop type music guy, not bass heavy stuff.

I believe they are 4x6's and 5x7s.

If anyone has any recommendations for speakers please let me know.

An amp will help with crisp and clear also

But yes, no one needs an amp...esp. if you stick to coax's

 

[Nebor]

I'm about to get a Nakamichi 6 disc in dash, with a 4 channel Nakamichi amp, and a single Nakamichi D class. 4x 6.5" Alpine components and 2x 8" free air subs... Just don't know what kinda subs to get.

 

[Liviathan]

That sounds pretty heavy duty.

Originally posted by: Nebor
I'm about to get a Nakamichi 6 disc in dash, with a 4 channel Nakamichi amp, and a single Nakamichi D class. 4x 6.5" Alpine components and 2x 8" free air subs... Just don't know what kinda subs to get.

 

[mrchan]

You need a component set for the front, that being a speaker for the door, a tweeter and a crossover to split signals up between the two. As for the back, this is where most of your bass will come from, since these speakers are bigger. Just go with 2-ways in the back, the 3 ways probably add a tiny 1" speaker to it, which limits movement of the biggest speaker, limiting your bass.

are you sure the fronts are 4x6?

 

[Liviathan]

Did some checking. 6.5 in front 6x9 in back.

Originally posted by: mrchan
You need a component set for the front, that being a speaker for the door, a tweeter and a crossover to split signals up between the two. As for the back, this is where most of your bass will come from, since these speakers are bigger. Just go with 2-ways in the back, the 3 ways probably add a tiny 1" speaker to it, which limits movement of the biggest speaker, limiting your bass.

are you sure the fronts are 4x6?

 

[ThisIsMatt]

The "tweeter" up front probably just has a bipolar capacitor inline to cancel out the bass frequencies (poor man's crossover) and should probably just be disconnected if you change the speakers. 2way vs 3way is practically just a gimmic, since they're never properly crossed over anyways. Get whatever suits your budget and it's always nice to listen to them before buying if you can. I'd look at infinity, pioneer, and alpine for cheap ones.