Horn speakers , high efficiency but not “shouty”


I am interested in a high efficiency horn with SET AMPS, in a 12 ft by 18 ft room. 9 ft ceiling .
I have narrowed my choices down to Charney audio Excalibur http://charneyaudio.com/the-companion-excalibur.html
and rethm maarga v2
https://www.google.com/amp/s/audiobacon.net/2019/04/18/rethm-maarga-v2-loudspeakers-listening-sessio...
would appreciate input from any one who has heard the above speakers or someone who has a similar system . 
listening choices are vocal music , no classical music.
Very rarely might want my system to play loud party music .(extremely rare ) does not have to play it like solid state system. Thanks in advance 


newtoncr

Showing 6 responses by alexberger

I'm have been using Altec 604e since 2005.
I used Mordaunt Short, Dynaudio and Spendor 2/3 before.  
Horn and compression drivers are much more sensitive to equipment issues.
For example, I have 300B amplifier with 6f6 driver. When I started to use it Spendor sounded smooth but Altec sounded harsh with it. The reason was cheap 6f6 tubes. When I changed them to good Mulard 6f6g all harshness is gone.
Since that time I did a lot of tweaks in my electronics. And I can tell Altecs with compression drivers horns can sound smooth and refined. The quality of vocal reproduction is better then most speakers I listened on other systems included audio show.
And in addition you get a real, uncompressed dynamics, huge soundstage, live energy, realistic bass and other unachievable by low sensitive speakers.
Here are my videos of my Altec 604E

Heifetz - Sibelius Violin Concerto
https://youtu.be/LYXm9NL_RuY

Louis Armstrong ‎– Satchmo Plays King Oliver "St. James Infirmary"
https://youtu.be/l4iTxmxvJfU

Reiner - Chicago Symphony - Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade
https://youtu.be/trdFb6zO9OA


I have the similar size room 14' x 22' x 8' my 6 watt SET drives Altec 604E easily.
I'm sure even 2a3 or 45 SET will be enough!
I think the really sensitive horn speakers don't need more power for a such size room.
Hi @johnk ,

How do you compensate a low midrange drop that is typical for all full range drivers?
Is any other solution than front horn to support these frequencies?

Regards,
Alex.