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HELP Horns, Stats or Conventional Speakers

OK I am in the market for a new set of speakers and I have narrowed it down the these three types.
Stats, Horns. Conventional and Bose.

Music tastes are very eclectic from The Pistols to Joan Armartrading to Classical to 80s new wave stuff.
I also use my speakers for H/T but this is the least of my concerns.

So with a bank roll of about 5k (Used) do I go for stats horns (I Love the look of the Avantgarde) or Conventional speakers.

To help you make that decision for me I have the following information.
The room is a converted two car garage 17' X 13' X 9" high
I listen to digital > Denon 3910 and vinyl > Romance via a CJ PV15 and Antique Sound Labs Hurricanes Mono
blocks.

I just sold my Ref3s as I found them less than exiting.
I have listened to System Audio SA 1750s and find the small fast drivers to be a better sounding speaker (to me) than speakers with larger drivers.
I like the speed of multiple small drivers as opposed th the 10" woofers. and they are cheap (Less than 2K)

I am at a total loss as the stuff I am looking at will be bought unheard so I need your opinions to try to help me decide.

And that constructive help will be much appreciated.

Thanks
punkuk
punkuk OP
52 posts
 
But what about the H/T it has to be a consideration
bartokfan
664 posts
 
First off Bose is not a speaker. Not sure what you'd call it, I've heard some bad words not to repeat, used to describe Bose.
No stats, ribbons, horns for me. Strictly old fashion cones.
punkuk OP
52 posts
 
does anyone have any thoughts on the Piega 8s.

And the Bose thing was a joke
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I can relate to your quandry as I too have been looking for speakers. Since my price point is a bit higher, I added equalized, powered woofers (Vandy Quatro, Zu Definition), and omnis (Deuvel, MBL) to my menu. Still working it out.

In your case, the room dimensions suggest that electrostats (or other panels) and horns may work better than "straight" dynamic speakers. 'Stats and horns both limit horizontal dispersion which may make placement easier in a 13' X 17' room. Of course, very large 'stats are likely to physically overwhelm your space.

I expect, however, the 9" ceiling may prove to be your biggest issue. ;-)
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
Punkuk,

Be careful what you wish for....

Most good high-efficiency setups(re: horns) can be ruthlessly revealing of other components and poorly recorded material - as most punk & rock is/was. They can be so revealing that much material will seem almost unlistenable until you learn to fully accept bad recordings.

The move from 90db, mid-efficency/mid-wattage, 3-way system to 97dB/6 watt system has left a large swath of my punk and rock recordings unused. They just plain sound horrible - too much compression, far too tinny, poor dynamics, etc. very wart is held under a microscope. I can only think it gets worse as efficiency goes up into the 100dB range.

The jump to horns isn't as simple as simply getting the speakers. Source components, amps/preamps, will also be held to the microscope. Previously unheard hum in components and your AC line will stand out like a sore thumb. So, you might also have to get a new amp and/or preamp plus some line filtration, too.

High-eff is awesome, but it comes at a premium. Not always in cost, but in attention to minute details many times not necessary with less efficient systems. The payoff is worth it to many of us, but do not underestimate the journey.
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