The Truth About Full-Range Speakers (And Why They’re Not Enough)
Share
Intro
Full-range speakers are often praised for their simplicity: one driver, no crossover, and a direct connection between amp and sound. It’s a romantic idea, especially for purists. But in practice, the limitations are real—and they’re easy to hear once you step outside certain genres.
The Strength of Full-Range
Yes, full-range drivers can sound beautiful. With no crossover to interfere, you get excellent phase alignment and coherent imaging. For certain types of music—acoustic guitar, solo vocals, or minimalist recordings—they can deliver a raw and immediate sound.
We’ve built and tested many ourselves. We understand the appeal.
The Limitations
The problem lies in physics. A single cone simply can’t reproduce the full 20Hz–20kHz spectrum accurately. High frequencies become directional. Bass loses body and weight. The sweet spot is narrow. At realistic listening levels, the driver's limitations become apparent—tonal balance shifts, bass loses definition, and treble can become fatiguing.
At a recent show, we heard a full-range system sound genuinely beautiful on acoustic blues and solo vocal recordings. When someone requested jazz, the exhibitor admitted he hadn't listened to jazz 'in a decade'—a telling sign. Great speakers shouldn't limit your music taste.
Our View
We believe that music systems should serve the listener, not the other way around. That’s why we focus on multi-way speakers. With carefully matched drivers and properly designed crossovers—sometimes even first-order series designs—we retain the coherence of a full-range setup while overcoming its limitations.
You can enjoy full-spectrum sound, deep bass, and airy highs, without giving up natural imaging or tonal balance. That’s what we aim for in every speaker we build.
Conclusion
Full-range drivers have their place, but they’re not a one-size-fits-all solution. Music is diverse, dynamic, and complex. Your speakers should be able to keep up—no matter what you throw at them.
