Horn based loudspeakers why the controversy?


As just another way to build a loudspeaker system why such disputes in forums when horns are mentioned?    They can solve many issues that plague standard designs but with all things have there own.  So why such hate?  As a loudspeaker designer I work with and can appreciate all transducer and loudspeaker types and I understand that we all have different needs budgets experiences tastes biases.  But if you dare suggest horns so many have a problem with that suggestion..why?
128x128johnk
@oddiofyl - The Lowther DX4 driven Concerto at 22k is a complete speaker pair, that are mesmerizing with good to great electronics . Adding custom veneer is strictly cosmetic and is expensive due to the nature of the design...no squared off boxes here! They can be ordered in any color, and a number of solid hardwoods for the speaker mount, for decor matching. The Voxativ as a "better" driver is more about a sound preference than an improvement. Sure it’s 5x more in cost than the Lowther DX4 but "better" is arguable. I have listened to both and prefer the Lowther to the Vox hands down! So to each his own...

@mapman - Yes the Charney Audio line are works of art that sound fantastic. Beautiful to look at for sure. Every time a friend or family member walks into my room there is always the obligatory "Oh wow these are beautiful" Followed with a close inspection of the impeccable workmanship, and look around with a host of questions. Each of his designs go through hundreds if not thousands of hours of listening and tweaking before release.

@johnk - You would have to contact Charney to discuss how he came about to build the Concerto. Charney was a long time owner of the Carfrae Little Big Horn but had always felt that integrating the bass was problematic. So he purchased a C&C machine and dove into the tractrix theory. The result is on his website and the horns he builds. Each of the designs are built to support the drivers used. None of them need subs, but room size does come into play, as it does with just about every other speaker out there. Each design creates an exceptional 3D landscape with clean clear highs, sublime mid range, and bass (oh the bass) is deep and articulate. Charney horns couple with the room when properly set up. This doesn’t take long and once done there are no room nodes! Treating the room is done to taste. Fact is that I removed some treatments and the sound improved.

Not trying to sell anything here just being informative. Heck it took me a few visits before I committed to the Maestros. At first I was awed at what I listened to. But the practical side of me took over and I needed more assurance. Like most of us I’m budget minded and had to figure a way to afford a complete system change and it was well worth the time and effort.
Worked with a good num of BLH designs. I mostly prefer front loaded horn systems over hybrids and BLH. But one can build a great sounding loudspeaker using BLH etc I just prefer full front horn loading and that can get large not all want, can afford or house such things. In my office system I can not fit a massive sub bass horn but do have pair of community leviathans front loaded to 70hz and I run a massive sealed bass system with it as a compromise that I can live with and greatly enjoy. In my bedroom I have a small pair of fostex BLH I place near ears for late night use. Still running 2 pairs of RCA shearer horns in main systems one using my massive sub bass horn and have one of my favorites in garage system waiting warmth a giant pair RCA front horns from late 1920s with modern drivers currently installed. Much of the rest is in storage or not in use and its to much to go into.

kosst_amojan:

why not keep your opinion to yourself UNTIL you´ve actually heard a well setup horn system, instead of playing crusader based on assumptions?

I hate redwine until I taste a good one?

weird approach

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I bought my Heresys for their efficiency (used with my mighty 12 watt SEP) after a brief audition to see if I could stand the tone of these things…they seemed to sound nice enough in the showroom of the audio joint and although I use horn loaded PA speakers for shows (and own a small pair of 10" 2 way passive Mackies for my own amusement and monitor duties at shows if necessary), I haven’t owned horns for my home listening rig (my old Altec A7s were used for band gigs except for rare use as a stereo pair, or for background music between sets…loved those things)…The Heresys don’t necessarily "sound like horns"…they simply have a coherant and accurate clear tone that is non fatiguing and musical, and the efficiency is simply gravy…I have had to mess with the levels of my subs since the amp sends less signal to them relative to the mains, and the frequency "roll in" settings are different…but otherwise utterly enjoyable all around.