Why not _-way active?

[ThxOne Premium Member]

It's not mystery that fully active systems usually sound better than those with passive crossovers but why 3-way? That seems to be the typical "go too" active arrangement. I was just sitting here amusing myself with thought and it came to me that you don't have to stick with a 3-way design... why not a 5-way active front stage? The more speakers the less range they have to cover, the less chance for distortion and should handle power better. Think about it... an 8" way down low, a 6.5" near the top of the door, a 4", 1.1" and 2.75" grouped closely up around eye level.

It's not like they don't make DSP's with enough outputs now as well as 8-10+ channel amplifiers. Do you think clarity would improve greatly over a typical 3-way active setup? Do you think it would suffer? Assuming you have the budget and room to do a 5-way correctly and professionally or perhaps done by and esoteric mind?

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[CarAudio.com - Hal AI Bots]

It's not mystery that fully active systems usually sound better than those with passive crossovers but why 3-way? That seems to be the typical "go too" active arrangement. I was just sitting here amusing myself with thought and it came to me that you don't have to stick with a 3-way design... why not a 5-way active front stage? The more speakers the less range they have to cover, the less chance for distortion and should handle power better. Think about it... an 8" way down low, a 6.5" near the top of the door, a 4", 1.1" and 2.75" grouped closely up around eye level.

It's not like they don't make DSP's with enough outputs now as well as 8-10+ channel amplifiers. Do you think clarity would improve greatly over a typical 3-way active setup? Do you think it would suffer? Assuming you have the budget and room to do a 5-way correctly and professionally or perhaps done by and esoteric mind?

Your idea of a 5-way active front stage is intriguing and definitely has some merit! Let's break down the considerations and potential benefits, as well as the challenges of such a system.

### Advantages of a 5-Way Active System:

1. **Reduced Range per Driver**: As you mentioned, each driver would cover a smaller frequency range, which can reduce distortion and improve clarity. Lower distortion is particularly advantageous for midrange and high-frequency drivers that are sensitive to power and signal quality.

2. **Tailored Performance**: With more drivers, each can be optimized for specific frequency ranges and performance characteristics. This allows for a more precise tuning of the sound, catering to individual preferences and acoustic characteristics of the vehicle.

3. **Increased Power Handling**: More drivers mean that the power handling can be distributed more evenly, reducing the chance of overloading any single driver. This can lead to a more robust sound, especially at higher volumes.

4. **Spatial Integration**: Placing drivers at various heights can help create a more immersive listening experience. By having drivers closer to ear level (like your 4" and 2.75" suggestions), you can improve the perception of sound staging and imaging.

### Challenges of a 5-Way Active System:

1. **Complexity in Tuning**: A 5-way system will require a lot of fine-tuning to ensure that all the drivers blend seamlessly. This can be challenging and may require advanced DSP settings and a deep understanding of acoustics.

2. **Installation Space and Cost**: Not every vehicle can accommodate multiple drivers without significant modifications. Additionally, the budget for high-quality drivers, amplifiers, and DSPs can add up quickly.

3. **Phase Issues**: The more drivers you add, the more potential there is for phase issues between them. Proper alignment and tuning will be crucial to prevent any detrimental effects on sound quality.

4. **Diminishing Returns**: While a 5-way system could theoretically provide better sound, there may be diminishing returns compared to a well-tuned 3-way system. The improvements might not be as noticeable to all listeners, especially if not executed perfectly.

### Conclusion:

In theory, a well-executed 5-way active system could outperform a typical 3-way setup, especially for those looking for the ultimate in sound quality and precision. However, the success of such a system would heavily depend on the quality of components, the skill of the installer, and the ability to fine-tune the system effectively.

If budget and space allow, and you're ready for the challenge of tuning, it could certainly be a rewarding endeavor. It would be great to hear from other members who might have experience with multi-way systems or those who might share their thoughts on the practicality and performance of a 5-way setup. Who else has insights to share?

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

So basically Hal has been implemented to say what we say in a much longer and boring way.

 

[Old_Slapper]

It's not mystery that fully active systems usually sound better than those with passive crossovers but why 3-way? That seems to be the typical "go too" active arrangement. I was just sitting here amusing myself with thought and it came to me that you don't have to stick with a 3-way design... why not a 5-way active front stage? The more speakers the less range they have to cover, the less chance for distortion and should handle power better. Think about it... an 8" way down low, a 6.5" near the top of the door, a 4", 1.1" and 2.75" grouped closely up around eye level.

It's not like they don't make DSP's with enough outputs now as well as 8-10+ channel amplifiers. Do you think clarity would improve greatly over a typical 3-way active setup? Do you think it would suffer? Assuming you have the budget and room to do a 5-way correctly and professionally or perhaps done by and esoteric mind?

This is why I think the Mustangs stock doors are the best. You already have an 8" and a 6x8 in each door. it's not that hard to have an 8"mid bass, a 5-1/4 inch midrange. a 3" midrange, and a tweeter without modifying the door panel.

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

This is why I think the Mustangs stock doors are the best. You already have an 8" and a 6x8 in each door. it's not that hard to have an 8"mid bass, a 5-1/4 inch midrange. a 3" midrange, and a tweeter without modifying the door panel.

Do they really?? An 8 AND a 6x8... those cars should have nuts midbass!

 

[supernov4]

It's a tuning nightmare tbh

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

It's a tuning nightmare tbh

That's ok. I spent WEEKS in and out of my G6 GT Coupe. I think if it is not your every day job the DSP tuning is a blast.

 

[Old_Slapper]

Do they really?? An 8 AND a 6x8... those cars should have nuts midbass!

They do. The 8" is actually the subwoofer. It has it's own enclosure. For my daughter's car, I put a 6.5" in there. Her car sound pretty good.

 

[supernov4]

That's ok. I spent WEEKS in and out of my G6 GT Coupe. I think if it is not your every day job the DSP tuning is a blast.

A lot of people do 4 way now a days with their "front sub"
Been contemplating a front sub so I can downsize my 8's in doors to a 6

 

[RobGMN Premium Member]

Comb filtering, time alignment, etc. But far less a concern in car audio.

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

I am curious how crazy people have got with their front stage in active systems.

 

[ThxOne Premium Member]

I know people do center channel but whats the point?

 

[supernov4]

I know people do center channel but whats the point?

For the person sitting in the middle..duh lol

It helps with sound stage for both seats

 

[RobGMN Premium Member]

I know people do center channel but whats the point?

Difficult to get a good phantom with the horrible placement of front speakers in so many vehicles?

"Please move your right leg; it's blocking the speaker".

 

[supernov4]

They should bring back bench seats in cars
They're like little sofas in cars
I always like them