I have designed large full horn systems that one could sit as close as arms reach and not have issues. For a decade I built horn bass systems for AG owners I no longer offer due to size so a few AG owners may have felt the same as you I owned Duos and I really didn't enjoy them. But I can relate horns match best with horns and hybrid systems are really not the same they miss one of the most important aspects of horn loading a horn-loaded mid-bass if horns fully horn-loaded to 75hz a conventional bass system can be used. The standard ported box under an 800hz mid is extremely suboptimal and I feel is why a good num after hearing a hybrid horn pronounce them as lacking. While I highly respect Duke I don't think the Dutch is a horn at all its a standard monitor with a slight waveguide.
Just spoke to an old client of mine..........Avantgarde owner
This gentleman is unhappy with his Avantgarde Trio XD, because his current room is smaller, and he is hearing the discontinuity, between all of the drivers, from his listening seat. I have been stating this " phenomenon ", for as long as I can remember. It is why many designs, imo, are a poor choice, for the average sized listening room. Not just this, but my ears are very critical with designs, that have a conventional woofer, along with a horn, or panel type, midrange / tweeter. These designs are known as Hybrids. I hear this discontinuity, every time. As a horn guy, as much as I can enjoy some horn hybrids ( a simple and well executed design, such as the Altec 19, and yes, I owned a few pair and made mods to several ), I find I cannot, long term, hear a convincing presentation. Bass, up to the crossover point, is so different, than the horn. This of course, is a very personal thing. I am a Klipsch guy, and love the KPT series, along with the Jubilee, but I have been involved in arguments with folks, who think I am crazy ( here, and on the Klipsch site ), about using speakers of this design, in a regular and average sized listening room, where the distance to me, is just TOO DAMN CLOSE. This Altec and the Klipsch designs I speak of, are of two different phenomenons.This is me, and I never attacked anyone who enjoys this type of set up, but I have been questioned ( even attacked ), by individuals, who seem clueless, to what my ears hear. Just wanted to put this out there, and will be presenting some discussions and experiences , I have had, and want others feedback. No right or wrong in this, as we all hear differently, want things differently, and so on, which I also stated, many times. Enjoy, be well and stay safe. Always, MrD.