PDA

View Full Version : Looking for Upgrade Suggestions for 2235/2445 2-way



GarMan
03-22-2005, 08:41 AM
Hello,

I'd like to get some advice from this group on an upgrade path for my system. Current system consist of:

2235H in 5ft^3 cabinet, tuned to 30Hz
2445H/2380A
Eminence 800Hz 2nd/3rd order crossover
Passive EQ in HF L-pad section
The current system sounds wonderful, but I'm always looking for improvements. I think the crossover may be the weakest point of the system in both design and parts quality. However, I've also just acquired a pair of 2118H and think it would sit beautifully between the 2235 and 2445.

My question is really the classic 2-way vs 3-way debate. Should I send my time and money designing and building a custom crossover for the 2-way with quality parts, or work towards a 3-way with the 2118?

I'm under the impression that while the 2235 can operate up to 1000Hz, a driver like the 2118 can do a much better job in the range of 200 - 2000. However, there's a lot to be said for the elegance of a simple 2-way system.

thanks,
Gar.

Alex Lancaster
03-22-2005, 09:22 AM
:) Hi: I wouldnīt go to the trouble of inserting the 2118's, I would use 170 liter boxes, tuned lower for the 2235's, and possibly xover them at 500 Hz to 2445īs, and then xover to 2405īs at 11 KHz.


What do You think of the Eminence xovers?, Iīve never used them.

Mr. Widget
03-22-2005, 12:09 PM
I agree with Alex and would add the 2405 over adding the mid bass driver, but I suppose for some the mid band punch and detail is more important than the improved high end. I've noticed that a lot of people think that you should add the supertweeter to get the highs... with enough EQ you can get the highs out of that mid driver, my feeling is that the quality of those highs is important and the jacked up response of the 2445 will not be as good as having a proper tweeter. They will measure the same, but certainly not sound the same.

If I were in your situation I'd get a pair of 2397 horns and 2405s and make some great three-ways.

Widget

Ian Mackenzie
03-22-2005, 01:35 PM
Gar,

Its swings and round abouts.

There is always a purity about a simple 2 way even with its compromises.
Changing to a 3 way, particularly adding a mid cone adds significant complexity, time and effort required for correct implemention.

I like Alex suggestion. the 2445 is a bit wasted crossing over at 800hz.

Ian

GarMan
03-23-2005, 12:42 PM
Gentlemen, thanks for your replies. Although I'd have to admit, I was surprised by the suggestions. Browsing through this forum, it seem many users here are running 3-ways, 4-ways, and even 5-way systems. I was expecting the response to be biased towards the multi-way approach. Then again, if the 2-way plus super tweeter configuration is good enough for the flagship K2's ...

In terms of crossover, I think the 3110A was designed to compensate for CD rolloff on the top end. However, dropping the 2445/2380 down to 500Hz would necessitate EQ on the low end as well. Are there any examples of how this could be done? Has anyone ever cracked open a M552 or M553 to find out how CD EQ is achieved for both the high and low end? Also, 500Hz on the 2380a is very close to the cutoff point. Is this still an okay freq for this horn. Love the suggestion for the 2397, but they command a premium, so they'll have to wait.

Alex, to answer your question on the Eminence crossovers, I've never compared them with anything else, so there's not much I can say. They're relatively inexpensive, very easy to use, and have sound very good in my system. However, I don't think the standard Buttersworth values used is ideally suited to my drivers and it bugs me to know that it's built with electr. caps.

thanks,
Gar.

Robh3606
03-23-2005, 02:15 PM
Check this out

Rob:)