2-way acoustics in a car
The acoustic two-way system has long been very popular with motorists who appreciate good sound. Today clear competitor this acoustics is three-way, but the supporters of the old system still respect it and are not going to change it for anything.
In what way a two-way speaker system is better and why it is so loved, we will learn from this article, where, in addition, instructions will be given for quickly installing it in a car.
Advantages of two-way acoustics
As you know, all types of strip acoustics are divided into special classes. IN this case we are talking about the component and .
coaxial acoustics
- It implies the presence of two heads installed in the speaker housing. Advantages - low cost and ease of installation.
Component acoustics
- Two speakers are combined into one complete system that reproduces low and high frequencies. The cost of such a system is much higher, which is understandable.
Front and rear speakers
In a car, as you know, it is still customary to install speakers depending on the direction of the sound.
- is, in principle, a setting in regular places speakers, that is, in the front doors. Everything would be fine and there would be no problems if the regular places were made in accordance with high-quality speakers.
But the fact is that on almost any car, these very places intended by the manufacturer for installing speakers are very small and designed for small speakers. - Front speakers take over essential function– Creation of the correct sound stage in the car. At the same time, its installation involves the use of special door linings, followed by a strong fastening of the speakers.
- Front acoustics usually involves installing speakers in the upper parts of the front doors.
- To achieve the best sound effect, 2-way acoustics should be mounted so that its elements are as close to each other as possible. It implies the installation of a woofer in the door, and a tweeter on the rack or dashboard of the car.
Advantages of front acoustics:
- Installation will be quick and easy.
- In the case of a 2-way system, there will be practically no difficulties during installation.
- On the other hand, installation in a door means that the speaker does not have a housing, which can negatively affect the sound quality. In this regard, craftsmen come up with various and original ones that enhance the sound effect from the speakers.
As mentioned above, the main thing in a car is rear acoustics. As for this system, it will serve as an additional sound effect.
So:
- The use of rear acoustics is justified, because the speakers in this case improve the overall background sound, making the sound picture much deeper.
- 2-way acoustics sound better, of course, in the front, but in the back in the trunk or on the speaker shelf, its mids will sound good.
- Installing the rear speakers also involves making a special acoustic shelf which makes the speakers sound better.
Installation of 2-way acoustics
So, as it became clear, a complete installation of 2-way acoustics in a car involves using it both in front and behind.
Front doors:
Note. For installation in the front doors, it is desirable to use 16 cm speakers.
- We purchase or make our own podiums for speakers.
Note. It is worth noting that the podiums themselves are unlikely to provide the speakers with strength. Therefore, a board is made separately for the podiums or special linings made of chipboard or plywood are placed under them.
- We are finalizing the doors, increasing the dimensions for installing 16 cm speakers. Also at this stage, a strong support is placed, which must be firmly screwed to the metal part of the door.
- We create an acoustic volume by sealing the door openings with masking tape. We paste over the adhesive tape with fiberglass cloth, which, in turn, is impregnated with epoxy glue.
- If the podiums are made independently, then you will first need to cut out rings with 4 ears from plywood. These same ears will be needed to mount the podium on the door.
Then we make 2 intermediate rings for each podium and assemble everything together, using spacers as well. - We fasten the podiums firmly to the door.
- We glue the door with vibroplast.
Note. The crossover can be installed next to door handle, because in this place he will be quite free to be (depending on the model of the car).
The instructions above will help you not to make mistakes when choosing and installing this speaker system with your own hands. During the installation process, it is recommended to study the photo and video materials.
As you know, the price of installing audio systems in a car is always high for professionals, so there is a reason to learn how to do everything yourself.
The PreSonus AIR series of loudspeakers opens up new possibilities for musical events. The perfect combination sound quality, easy set up and portability makes the PreSonus AIR a truly affordable and versatile solution.
The AIR series consists of three satellite models with 10", 12" and 15" woofers and two direct-radiating subwoofers with 15" and 18" drivers. Acoustic systems are equipped with modern processors of sound processing with the output of settings on the LCD-display. While many manufacturers have completely switched to D-class switching amplifiers, PreSonus believes that their quality is not enough to transmit the HF audio spectrum and classic class A / B amplifiers can be successfully used to amplify low power as few as hundreds of watts, ideally transmitting high-frequency components of music. As a result, AIR uses a hybrid solution: a D-class amplifier works only with a woofer, and an A / B-class amplification is used with a tweeter. This improves the system's impulse response in the high-frequency region, simplifies system setup, and ultimately delivers clear and detailed sound.
In addition, PreSonus carefully thought out the appearance of the speakers. These are compact and lightweight cases in a universal satellite-monitor design with integrated carrying handles and hanging points. The satellites are equipped with two-position cups for installation on an acoustic stand or subwoofer-satellite boom. A glass with two positions allows you to install speakers with the direction of the sound field parallel to the floor or with an inclination of 7.5 ° to the bottom, into the hall, if they are installed on the stage. Subwoofers of the AIR series are immediately equipped with wheels that can be installed in case of frequent outdoor events.
TO interesting features PreSonus AIR series should include the presence of subwoofers in processors special settings for building two types of cardioid arrays: Cardioid, when two subwoofers are stacked on top of each other and one turns 180°, and Endfire, with two subwoofers placed one behind the other at a certain distance. Cardioid low-frequency arrays allow you to form a directed wave in the direction of the audience and reduce its intensity in the direction of the stage.
- Active two-way speaker system with processor and LCD display.
- Woofer - 12" (2.5" coil)
- HF tweeter - 1.35"
- Class D amplifier for LF and A/B class for HF
- Total power - 1200 W dynamic
- LF power - 500 W continuous, 900 W peak
- RF power - 300 W continuous, 150 W peak
- Frequency response -10dB level 51Hz-20kHz
- Frequency response -3dB level 48Hz-20kHz
- Maximum sound pressure 123 dB
- Two mic/line inputs Combo XLR/TRS-jack with mixer and XLR output
- Opening diagram 90˚x 60˚
- Built-in DSP with crossover, equalization and protection functions
- Metal grate 1.2 mm thick
- Carry handles: one on the top and one on the side
- Three suspension points: two on the top and one on the back
- Built-in sleeve for 35 mm pole mounting in two positions 0° and 7.5°
- Dimensions: 430 x 420 x 700 mm
- Weight: 17 kg
Presented in a fairly large assortment. This equipment differs from each other in the field of application (instrumental, concert, studio and others), according to technical specifications, body shape and many other qualities.
Most important parameter The one that needs to be considered first is the number of "lanes" in the system. According to this criterion, one-, three- and two-way acoustics are distinguished. How they differ from each other and which system is better, we will try to answer in this article.
sound frequency
Human hearing organs are capable of recognizing from 20 to 20,000 Hz.
Therefore, the quality of music directly depends on the ability of the equipment to create clear sound waves in a given range. To this end, the composition began to include speakers that reproduce extremely low (20-150 Hz), medium (100-7000 Hz) and high (5-20 thousand Hz) frequencies. As a result, there were:
- Single-way systems, where the entire frequency range is created by one speaker.
- Two-way acoustics, which has two speakers: one for playing music at medium and low frequencies, the second - only at high frequencies.
- Three-band equipment - a separate "column" is responsible for playing sounds in each range.
There is equipment with big amount bands, where each speaker reproduces sound in a certain way. The most popular are two- and three-way systems - they are the most affordable and provide at the same time excellent quality sound.
Advantages of two-way acoustics
Two-way Acustic systems are the most popular among motorists.
They provide optimum sound quality while affordable price. Due to the development of technology, two-way is being replaced by three-way equipment, but it is still common due to its advantages:
- Simple design that simplifies installation and configuration.
- A high degree of coherence between the speakers, which improves the sound quality.
- The most natural, "live" sound.
In two-way equipment, there are only two speakers - woofer and tweeter. The woofer reproduces sounds in the low and medium ranges, and the tweeter - only in the high. Due to this, simple crossover filters are necessary for the operation of the system.
Features of three-way equipment
Three-way acoustics differs from the already described system in better sound. The equipment in such systems is completed with a midrange speaker, which carries the so-called "spatial" information, creates surround sound. In addition, thanks to the separation of duties, the equipment has become more compact.
The negative quality of three-way systems is the high price. It is two to three times higher than that of two-way acoustics. Moreover, three-way acoustics involves the installation of crossovers - complex frequency filters. To set up such equipment, you must have excellent hearing, otherwise you will not be able to achieve consistency from the speakers.
Speaker Differences
Any speaker system consists of speakers (midrange, bass and treble), filtering equipment, signal amplifiers, audio cables and input terminals. Filtration devices are responsible for separating sound signal for multiple ranges. The two-way acoustics filter breaks the frequencies into two "sections" - up to 5-6 thousand Hz, and above 6 kHz. Three-way devices, as a rule, are equipped with crossovers - adjustable frequency filters that divide the sound range into three sections.
All acoustic equipment can be active or passive. In the first case, each speaker is equipped with a separate signal amplifier. This solution facilitates the matching of emitters and reduces the overall cost of the system. However, at the same time, the complexity of maintenance, installation and initial configuration increases. Separate amplifiers most often complement a set of three-way devices.
Coaxial and component speakers
How three- or two-way will sound depends largely on the type of speakers, which are coaxial and component. The first ones are a single monolithic structure, which combines emitters of high, medium and low frequencies. This solution makes the sound narrowly focused. Therefore, such devices are used as an addition and mainly in small cars.
Component speakers are speakers that can be placed in different places. This allows you to achieve surround sound, but the process of installing equipment becomes more complicated. In addition, at incorrect installation the soundstage will be very heterogeneous. installed in cars with a spacious interior.
A question of price
As noted earlier, two-way acoustics will cost much less than installing three-way equipment. This is due to two reasons:
- less equipment - only two speakers, a maximum of two amplifiers and one filter are required;
- simple installation - you can assemble such a system yourself, having elementary knowledge in the field of electricity.
Three-way systems include more sophisticated equipment, the cost of which is much higher than the price of conventional devices. In addition, if you decide to install such acoustics, you will have to seek the help of professionals - without special measuring devices and subtle hearing, the mounted system will sound the same as two-way acoustics. This is the main answer to the question of how two-way acoustics differ from three-way.
CHARACTERISTICS PRESONUS ULT12
Peculiarities
- Professional active two-way speaker system for permanent and temporary installations
- Bi-amp circuit, class D amplifiers
- 12" ferrite woofer, 1.75" tweeter with compression driver
- Dispersion - 110x50 degrees, rotary horn
- Built-in mixer
- XMAX mic preamps
- Power - 1300 (1000+300) W peak, 650 (500+150) W continuous
- Maximum sound pressure - 135 dB
- Built-in DSP 24bit/96kHz, presets
- Filter high frequencies 100 Hz with 4th order Linkwitz-Riley filters
- 2 XLR/TRS combo inputs + 2 XLR outputs including loop through
- Can be used as a stage monitor
- Hanging points M10
- Built-in standard 35 mm mounting sleeve
- 15mm birch plywood cabinet, steel grating
| Type | two-way concert speaker |
| Category | active |
| Power | 1300 (1000+300) W peak, 650 (500+150) W continuous |
| Amplifiers | class D |
| frequency range | 50Hz-20kHz (-10dB), 55Hz-18kHz (-3dB) |
| Crossover frequency | 1.6 kHz |
| woofer | 12” (voice coil 2.5”) |
| tweeter | 1.75", compression driver |
| Max level sound pressure | 135 dB |
| Dispersion | 110x50 degrees |
| DSP | 24bit/96kHz presets |
| RF filter | 100 Hz, with 4th order Linkwitz-Riley filters |
| Connectors | 2 x combo XLR/TRS 1/4" Jack input, 1 x XLR-M mix out, 1 x XLR-M direct out |
| cabinet material | birch plywood, 15 mm |
| Lattice | steel, 1.2 mm |
| Installation | glass 35 mm, 12 points М10 |
| Dimensions | 641 x 356 x 353 mm |
| Weight | 23.6 kg |
| Color | black |
The PreSonus ULT12 is a compact and lightweight ULT series active two-way loudspeaker designed for permanent and mobile installations. The speakers in this series provide excellent speech transmission and natural music reproduction. They are also characterized by a bi-amp circuit, in which signals are separately amplified for the lower and all other frequency ranges, and high level sound pressure even in younger models. Class D amplifiers deliver up to 650W RMS dynamic power and 1300W peak power. The maximum sound pressure is 135 dB over a frequency range of 50 Hz to 20 kHz, and many nuances can be heard, especially when a subwoofer is added to the system.
One of the main features of the PreSonus ULT12 is the proprietary Pivot X110 rotary waveguide. It combines an ultra-wide 110 degree horizontal coverage with a focused 50 degree vertical dispersion, and the horn can be rotated to fit in a horizontal configuration. The result is a loudspeaker that can fill a room with superior sound without early reflections, with a dispersion of 110 x 50 degrees. Besides, big size horn allows him to control a larger dispersion pattern in the lower frequency range than in conventional small horns. The swivel waveguide can also help correct audio problems in high and narrow spaces: it is therefore equally well suited for general use and as a monitor. The sound is more expansive and this ensures that listeners on the sides have the same listening experience as in front. The result is a room-filling picture of sound reproduction, providing an even, optimal sound level.
The PreSonus ULT12 cabinet houses a Class D controlled 12" bass driver with 500W RMS continuous power and a 1" HF driver with 150W RMS. The control panel offers two XLR/TRS combo inputs, thanks to which you can use the loudspeaker with different sources. Each input has an XMAX mic preamp and independent controls. These signals can be combined via the speaker's internal mixer, and a second balanced XLR Mix Out allows the signals to be routed to other ULT series speakers.
The PreSonus ULT12 cabinet features a durable Chemline polyurethane finish, ergonomic carrying handles and 12 M10 suspension points. It can be installed in several ways, giving great flexibility in placement: you can, for example, mount the loudspeaker on a tripod or on a pole above the subwoofer, and thanks to the handles on the side, it is easy to transport. Therefore, the ULT12 is an excellent solution for both permanent and temporary installations.
