Full-Range Speakers vs Mid-Range Speakers

[Danny Lim]

Is it true that Component Speakers aka Mid-Range Speakers sound clearer and better than Full-Range Speakers (or Coaxial Speakers)?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Speakers don't sound better because some marketing dude decided to throw a label at em.

In order to accurately put out low frequency sound w/ long wavelengths, you will generally want a large and relatively massive speaker. In order to produce the high range you want something small in mass.

Most hi end speakers of conventional design utilize at least three types of speakers:

tweeter - highs
mid range - self explanatory
woofer - lows

Each is pretty darn good at making the sounds in the targeted range and pretty poor making sounds in the others. If you have ever pulled up to a car with several amplifiers and the bass cranked up all the way, you have heard what happens when one tries to make loud low frequency sounds, you have heard a speaker trying it hit frequency ranges for which it is clearly not suited.

Most of the sound you will hear from a speaker is in the mid range so, yes they get fuddled a bit when trying to hit highs and lows. A mid range speaker that attempts to hit produce full range of sound will get fuddled because it's trying to make sounds beyond it's capabilities.

Usually a mid range speaker will be set up to ignore the extreme lows and highs to avoid such conditions.

woofers on left (conventional)
mid-range bottom 2/3 on right (non-conventional)
tweeters top on right (non-conventional)

 

[kanewolf]

Is it true that Component Speakers aka Mid-Range Speakers sound clearer and better than Full-Range Speakers (or Coaxial Speakers)?

Only YOUR ears can determine which set of speakers sound best to you. Some people like Klipch horns. Some like Martin Logan electrostatics. I like Paradigms. I have had both full range Paradigm and Mid-Range. I thought the were both excellent.

 

[ssddx]

it should be noted the ops other thread is about pc speakers...

I noticed that Z533's satellite has 80db in 2.5" Full Range Drive whereas Z333's satellite has 85db in 3" Convex Dome Driver. Is higher SnR better?

http://www.logitech.com/en-ca/product/multimedia-speakers-z533?crid=47
http://www.logitech.com/en-ca/product/multimedia-speakers-z333?crid=47

 

[boju]

Speakers with a set of different range drivers will have filter capacitors inside to filter signals for each drive. If speakers didn't have filters you would have low frequencies crossover to high range drivers such as tweeters and blow it to scheissens.

For good sound, your main speakers/fronts should be fullrange set - to play everything besides <20Hz frequencies meant for the Sub - but do find speakers with such low range drivers though but not as common now since most AVRs these-days have dedicated low frequencies LFE for movies/music and will depend on the AVR too if i can pass on low frequencies. Most AVRs with LFE's stop crossover frequencies at 40Hz, so having a 20Hz woofer in mains speaker in this case will be useless.

Surround rears can be your bookshelf mid speakers (for bullet dings and whips) and side pairs/rear backs can be fullrange (For rumbles and plane flybys)and center being mid/high (tweeter) for speech and higher frequencies.

Depending on your setup/surround setup, having tweeters in all speakers is a good idea, will complete the sound all round and wont feel theres missing frequencies when playing music. Most speakers are 3 way anyway, low/mid/high. Can't really go wrong.

Component speakers is just that, speakers bought separately and not included in a hifi package.

 

[boju]

it should be noted the ops other thread is about pc speakers...

I noticed that Z533's satellite has 80db in 2.5" Full Range Drive whereas Z333's satellite has 85db in 3" Convex Dome Driver. Is higher SnR better?

http://www.logitech.com/en-ca/product/multimedia-speakers-z533?crid=47
http://www.logitech.com/en-ca/product/multimedia-speakers-z333?crid=47

<edited> Lol