well thanx for all the valuable suggestion,i tried to search all the threads in the speaker section,but there was no info regarding my query,still my query is half answered.i guess there is a logic/principle behind every setup,forget bout room dimension,furniture,living room,type of music, budgetary etc.which no one explained.i wanted a simple explanation.but the esteemed members went too far.well i dont want to be spoon fed or develop six packs in a baby.still hoping to get my doubts clear.regards
I understand first you want to know a 2-way, 3-way speaker. I am no expert here but here's some explanation.
2 Way, 2.5 Way, 3 Way refers to a design of a speaker. Generally how frequencies are crossed in a speaker.
1. 2 Way speaker:
These can be BS or FS which will typically has two drivers viz. a Tweeter and a Woofer Driver. Passive crossovers in the speaker distributes the frequencies to these drivers. Typically 2.5khz and above are send to tweeters and <2.5khz to woofer. (Different manufacturer will adopt different frequencies. Some will take 2.6khz, some @ 2.4khz, etc.)
2. 2.5 Way speaker:
These are generally FS which will typically has three drivers viz. a Tweeter and 2 Woofers. Passive crossovers in the speaker distributes the frequencies to these drivers. Typically 2.5khz and above are send to tweeters, 1khz to 2.5khz to woofer and below 1khz to woofer 2. (Different manufacturer will adopt different frequencies) These are called 2.5 way since woofer 2 is not dedicated to bass frequencies which is generally < 500-600hz.
3. 3 Way speaker:
These are generally FS which will typically has three or four drivers viz. a Tweeter and a mid range and 2 Woofers. Passive crossovers in the speaker distributes the frequencies to these drivers. Typically 2.5khz and above are send to tweeters, 600 hz to 2.5khz to mid range and woofer 1 and below 600khz to woofer 2. (Different manufacturer will adopt different frequencies)
3 way gives you more dynamics in mid range and low bass reproduction as drivers are dedicated for mid and low frequencies. However, some people experience that in mid sized / small rooms, a 3 way with 4 drivers sound more boomy (Does not apply in all cases) and hence suggest a 2.5 way speaker for these areas / 2 way + a subwoofer.
Your another question is sub reqd. with 3 way towers.
My answer is no if you have a quality built speakers. I have 2.5way speakers in my 210sft living room and it outperforms my sub.
Some of the forum members suggested that you can add sub later if you feel the need. But in your case, i think you need to first decide whether you need a sub later or not.
Your requirement is purely a stereo setup. Most of the Int Amps do not have a Pre Out for Sub so adding a sub later becomes difficult. If you buy an AVR for Stereo Setup, i think you will be compromising. However, there are some Stereo Receivers available with Pre Out for Sub but haven't seen them personally in any of the AV shops (Not saying its difficult). Probably one has to buy without auditioning.