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RE: How to get the midrange right ?

Posted by Brian Levy (A) on March 27, 2015 at 06:21:39

In Reply to: How to get the midrange right ? posted by beppe61 on March 27, 2015 at 02:29:23:

I agree midrange is the key with crossover close behind. I have found I prefer a decent single driver full range speaker even though it lacks the deeper bass and high end to many multidriver systems where the crossover is anywhere in the midrange. While there are some, it seems few designers can or bother to really get it right. I grew up with a set of speakers that used natural rolloff rather than a crossover, something that can be designed but in this day and age is all but impossible. Hence, I am sensitive to any issues involving the crossover or the transition between drivers. It for me is the cause for fatigue and I find it in some very expensive and loved speakers.

I have a couple of pairs of Fostex full range drivers in boxes, nothing special and I prefer them for listening to many of the high priced speakers I have tried and owned. Some companies are better at it than others. Bozak spent a lot of time getting his right and did a very good job. Still some noticeable issues but minimal. Biggs with his Wharfedales likewise spent time and lots of energy on crossovers and like Rudy they built their own drivers so, could control the entire process of development. I recently got a pair of W70s up and running and after the caps settled one of the first things I noticed was Biggs got the crossover and transition as close to perfect as any speaker I have heard. As close to seamless as I think can be done. It should not have surprised me as he developed a crossover that sold separately back then that was considered the standard and even today is highly sought after by builders unlike even Rudy's excellent design that has been surpassed.

I have a set of KLH Fives, a well liked 3-way with little wrong when rebuilt right. My set has been done and I loved them except for the somewhat forward midrange, something I could live with. That was until I switched in the W70s. Oh, the Fives, just dived. Do not keep this Wharfedale series in your home unless you do not want to like your other speakers in this regard.

As for what is the midrange response. I am not sure but would suggest the range encompassed by acoustic instrument fundementals plus and minus many the rest harmonics. Just a WAG with no special reason other than it is the range a number of single drive full range drivers cover except for the bottom end of a piece organ.

It would seem the fewer drivers and crossover points there is, the better and in theory this is true but again in reality it does not generally work out. Even Kloss who had a life long goal to achieve this failed but, came close. The mink monitors we call speskers today do not really found as they designers have done nothing more than marry a midrange driver to a tweeter, requiring a woofer, oh sorry subwoofer to actually make what is a speaker.

Sorry for string ot and the rant but speakers and their development is a soft spot for me. While so even think what we have is better today as a result of technology I feel we may have the potential, it is only realized at prices points the average person will send today where in the '60 and '70s most would and could afford and justify.


Don Brian Levy, J.D.
Toronto ON Canada

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