2-way vs. 3-way speakers - Audio Question

[Dirtyfootcamper]

I'm looking to install a couple of speakers into my teardrop for a small sound system. I'm not looking to impress everyone in the campgrounds but would like a nice clear sound so that I can hook up the portable DVD player or my iPod and not miss anything. My question is what should I go with, 2-way or 3-way speakers? I'm guessing a 3-way would be best but I figured I would throw the question out anyways.

[RandyG]

3-ways are nothing special, it is just one more speaker and the audio signal is split one more time. 2-ways can cover everything a same size 3-way will and sometimes better. For me, I'm going with full range speakers, just my preference. I may even add a small sub in the cabin later. But I'm a audio nut.
What size and what type of speakers were you thinking? Also what type of amp?

[Shadow Catcher]

It is a small area!
Ours has a two way, and most of the time it is fed by an XM Sirius receiver into a Sony car stereo.

[MtnDon]

When you get to my age with my ears that I abused when younger, you can do with one way speakers.

[Dirtyfootcamper]

3-ways are nothing special, it is just one more speaker and the audio signal is split one more time. 2-ways can cover everything a same size 3-way will and sometimes better. For me, I'm going with full range speakers, just my preference. I may even add a small sub in the cabin later. But I'm a audio nut.
What size and what type of speakers were you thinking? Also what type of amp?

Randy,

I was thinking small 4-5 inch speakers. I haven't decided what brand to go with yet. Any preferences?

Also I was given the idea to use this small amp from a fellow Teardropper on this forum:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TU ... uctDetails

Like I said I'm not looking for exquisite sound but would like to be able to hear most, if not all, of the audio on any given track.

Looking forward to hear your input.

Thanks,
Bryce

[bdosborn]

Get thee to an auto stereo store and start listening. Everybody is different and what I like may not sound very good to you.

Bruce

[RandyG]

I bought one of those amps on ebay 2 years ago, it came dead on arrival but the seller gave me my money back and said throwit away. Made me think it was a common issue.
There lots of cheap options on partsexpress .com for speakers and amps with great customer service. 4-5" full range is what I was looking for, the high end wont be too harsh in the small space.

[atahoekid]

I guess I differ with Randy G's post that says 3 ways are no better than 2 ways. I typically find 2 ways don't cover the entire spectrum of sound well enough. I went with two 6 x 9 3 ways in my Road Foamie. Like you I didn't want to entertain the campground, just want to enjoy good music in my own privacy. Big doesn't always mean loud. To my ears, a bigger speaker doesn't distort as much, they can deliver a cleaner sound. Just my opinion. But I really agree with bdosborne, let your ears make the decision. If you still wish to shop around on the internet, at least you'll know what you like and don't like

[eamarquardt]

When you get to my age with my ears that I abused when younger, you can do with one way speakers.

Courtesy of a brain surgeon I need only monophonic (one speaker) sound now. My good ear is, though, in good shape. If the phone rings and isn't where I can see it easily, I have a heck of a time finding it with only one ear. Drives me crazy(ier).

Enjoy your sounds while you can still hear them.

Cheers,

Gus

[RandyG]

I guess I differ with Randy G's post that says 3 ways are no better than 2 ways. I typically find 2 ways don't cover the entire spectrum of sound well enough. I went with two 6 x 9 3 ways in my Road Foamie. Like you I didn't want to entertain the campground, just want to enjoy good music in my own privacy. Big doesn't always mean loud. To my ears, a bigger speaker doesn't distort as much, they can deliver a cleaner sound. Just my opinion. But I really agree with bdosborne, let your ears make the decision. If you still wish to shop around on the internet, at least you'll know what you like and don't like

6x9's get those lows because they are bigger. Auto speakers usually have harsher highs because few of them are installed in direct line of the listener, meaning its not shooting straight to your ears. A full range just sounds a bit smoother to me, maybe its just me. So like said, you are the one listening to them, find some that please your ears.

[KCStudly]

Aiming the "front" speakers at the listeners is important. Also, they need to be in sealed boxes for the best "tight" sound; ideally, the box internal volume (space) should be sized to the speaker makers specification; adding dense foam and polyester fill will dampen the box for an even "tighter" sound ("tight" = crisp and clear throughout the range, not mushy or muted. Mounting them in a free board (no back, or in an open cabinet) is like a broom in a bucket; just swishes the sound around. Any air leaks can hurt, so caulk the inside of the enclosures (better yet, use Bondo). Speaker cabinets are the one place where particle board wins over plywood; it is denser/deader; cover with veneer, laminate, vinyl or cloth. Ported cabinets can make a smaller speaker sound larger, but unless they are well engineered high end cabinets, this is usually a trick that costs in sound quality, at least to my ear.

Oval or oblong speakers don't reproduce sound as accurately as round; they are popular because they can fit in skinny places that larger round speakers can't. A compromise.

Don't bother with a cheap amp, or, for that matter, cheap tiny signal and speaker wires. For the size of a TD a good quality head unit should have plenty of power for a set of fronts. If you want to run a small bass speaker and have plenty of juice to spare, then maybe a small bridged 4 ch. amp running in 3 ch mode would be nice (you could go crazy with 7 ch. surround sound, but these are small campers and this is camping, not a stereophile competition).

I prefer a slightly larger mid range (6 inch) with separate tweets, that way you can aim the tweeters more optimally and the larger mid range fills the gap from no (or a smaller) bass speaker. "Cross the beams", aim the left tweeter at the right hand listener and the right tweeter at the left hand listener. This helps center the directionality of the stereo sound (i.e. presents a more centered sound stage). Look at the size of the speaker coils, the materials used to make the cone and suspension to get an idea of quality.

Use good stranded cooper speaker wire and try to make the leads similar in length. Keep speaker and signal wire separate from power cables; if they must cross, cross them at 90 deg angle.

[Corwin C]

Everybody's likes are different. If you can, listen to the speakers in person (ideally in the trailer) before buying. Find a music/sound track that has a mixture of highs and lows, individually and together. Play with the equalizer and the volume, some speakers shine at settings and volume levels that others don't. In a teardrop, loud is often overwhelming ... can you hear every detail when the volume is low? The dealer (semi-local custom car audio installer) that I buy from will set them in the space and let me hear them ... I've been pleased with everything that I've bought from them and it's worth that extra few dollars. BTW - I actually prefer mid-quality 2 way 6x9's over most higher quality speakers. My ear generally can't hear much difference between 2 way and 3 way.

[TPMcGinty]

Does anyone have any experience with these speakers?

http://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-daex25-sound-exciter-pair--300-375

They turn any flat surface into a speaker. Might be interesting to try for only $17.

[KCStudly]

PT Barnum quote comes to mind. Seems more like an effects device to me, rather than audio equipment.

[TPMcGinty]

:roll: PT Barnum quote comes to mind. Seems more like an effects device to me, rather than audio equipment.

They are probably not high quality but they have some decent reviews. Here are the same type of speaker for $3.50.

http://www.parts-express.com/hiwave-25mm-soundpax-exciter-turns-virtually-anything-into-a-speaker--309-149

I might have to try them for that cheap. If they don't work then I'm not out much.