Seeking a new loudspeaker, horn, single driver, concentric or open baffle

@erik_squires 

You know, you are sounding experimental and creative right now.   What about a DIY build in any of those categories?  Check out Madisound, Meniscus and Parts Express for ideas. 

You can build 3 different types of speakers for the budget you have, and in many cases buy cabinets or have them made for you. 

As a long time DIY'r, I couldn't agree more. DIY is a great way to end up with speakers that will sound as good as commercially available speakers at at least 5 times the money spent.

My current, and maybe my last pair of speakers, are the "Bordeaux" designed by Curt Campbell and Jim Holtz. 

They use an Aurum Cantus Aero Stricture tweeter (similar to an AMT), and a Accuton ceramic mid in a semi open baffle array. And 2  8" Dayton woofers per speaker in a standard ported enclosure. 

I have a total of about $3000.00 in them, which includes flat packs for the enclosures. And the end resulting sound quality  is easily comparable to commercially available speakers at around $15K. 

The Parts Express forums are a good place for technical help, but tend not to get very high end. 

And unfortunately, Meniscus Audio went out of business over a year ago. It is too bad, since they had some quite high end kits by most of the well respected designers.

Another great source, is Troels Graveson from Denmark. All his designs are pretty high end, but I don't believe he has any designs that will fit the OP's requirements. 

And lastly, a guy who has a pretty controversial reputation here, Danny Ritchie. I helped a friend build a pair of GR Research, NX-Otica, their 2nd to top, open baffle speaker kit. 

And anyone who says Danny is a charlatan, I doubt have ever actually heard one of his speakers. Because these kits are under $4000 including flat packs, and they sound substantially better than anything close to their price.

Sort of similar to your post about 1 month ago and I assume you are still seeking a speaker you find musical.  The speaker driver technology does not determine whether a speaker needs to be played loud to achieve musicality, or is able to be musical at lower volume levels.  Rather, it is the execution of the driver technology in the overall design intent. In addition, your system setup, room acoustics, and your own hearing factor into a speaker sounding “full and rich” at lower volume levels.  Driver sensitivity combined with adequate amplification power is one factor  that needs to be matched.  If there is inadequate power, this may cause a lack of musicality at lower volume levels, regardless of driver technology.  Attention to room acoustics can help balance frequency response at low listening levels.  You have already stated you are sensitive to the Fletcher-Munson curve.  This sensitivity to the curve is probably best alleviated by equalization, and you are considering that path.   I do not prefer equalization because to my ears, it affects clarity.   However, you should choose based on your goals and perception os SQ.  To generalize, high sensitivity speakers with a design intent for warm bass is the direction you should go with equalization.  You have listed a number of good speakers with that design intent.  I would add Harbeth and horn loaded Klipsch to your list.  I will not make a recommendation because the goal is what sounds compelling musical to you.  

Hi kjl1065,

First my opinion is your source and electronics are certainly up to the task. That opinion rests on two biases. First over years and several mixes of brands the configuration of a tube preamp driving solid state power amp is in my experience one of the rare hybrids where one gets the best of the two technologies. Second everytime I encounter Bryston power amps the transparency and effortlessness they exhibit impresses.

Now I will humbly invite you to consider my PureArtFi LS-6 as your next speaker. Matt over at Everyday Audiophile does an excellent job relating what the LS-6 is all about in his YouTube review:

PureArtFi LS-6 | Easily one of the best (I've heard)

And more info in this follow-up and our web site:

PureArtFi LS-6 | Follow-up discussion

PureArtFi LS-6

The reason I believe the LS-6 addresses your desire for "a loudspeaker that sounds rich, full bodied and alive at 50-55 decibel levels." is two fold. First the advances brought by Purifi Audio's USHINDI - Ultra Low Distortion Transducer Technology (USHINDI) set a new state-of-the-art in clarity at all levels including low SPLs thanks to both the lowering of HD & IMD distortions and very advanced magnetic system in drivers' motors. Second the extreme measures we take at PureArtFi in the enclosure design and build quiets the noise most speakers' boxes add to our music. 

Feel free to reach out using AudiogoN messaging or pureartfi.com's contact form to discuss this further.

@simonmoon

And unfortunately, Meniscus Audio went out of business over a year ago. It is too bad, since they had some quite high end kits by most of the well respected designers.

Noooooooo!!! AFAIK they were the only source of Jeff Bagby's really well regarded kits.  Not that i ever built one but so many DIYers did. 

Fletcher Munson Curve:

• At low volumes, mid-range frequencies are more prominent while lows and highs seem to fade into the background.
• At high volumes, the lows and highs become more prominent, while the mid-range becomes softer.

Schitt Loki Max equalizer to counteract the Fletcher Munson curve…

@kjl1065 - so I’m guessing that you’re boosting both bass and treble at low volume levels?

…. want to hear first, before buying

@kjl1065 -  Ideally, it’s best to try a component in one’s own audio chain but is often not feasible. The next best is to demo elsewhere, but keep in mind that they are using different audio components than yours and that often at audio shows Sonics suffer from poor room integration.

Google “high end audio stores” to find local options to demo

Also, attend the T.H.E. New York International Audio Show: This show is a reimagining of the original New York Audio Show, acquired by T.H.E. Enterprises. The first edition under this new ownership will be held in October 24-26, 2025.  
I attended T.H.E. Show 2023 in LA and they did a great job, heard 2024 was even better.  

Suggest bringing your own music to demo to test acoustic instruments (piano, violins…), voices, frequency extensions, etc.  Maybe include high-quality recordings and recordings you are familiar with including those that resonate with you.

Also, if possible demo at your desired lower volume to test frequencies extreme - then try to compare (from memory) to your current unequalized to get an idea of how much eq you’ll need for your tastes.  

Volti Razz,  Lucera,  JBL 4349, JBL 4367, Devore 0/96,  and Zu Audio

These are very efficient speakers, so not sure how your high powered amp would match.  I’ll comment based on my demos at numerous high end audio shows like AXPONA and audio stores, but it’s only your subjective preference that really matters.

Volti horn speakers are quick, effortless, and relatively linear/neutral for a horned speaker.  It will be very transparent of your chains electronics. Very high efficiency speakers are typically mated with low watt tube amps or other low watt warm amps like First Watt.  As Volti directly competes with Klipsch Sonics the sonic performance is superior, however your subjective preference may prefer Klipsch.  I own the Volti Rival to investigate low watt tube midrange magic including flea watt SET amps.

Devore O/96 is maybe the most musical speakers I’ve demoed.  Besides my major issues with storage room and budget, maybe someday I’ll get a pair - switching tube amps between my neutral Volti and O/96 seems  dry appealing

JBL I find musical. Zu Audio seems to be love it or dislike - not many in the “it sounds good, but not in my primary choices” middle ground.

+1 PearlAcoustics - because of the great Sonics, I sat for an extended demo at AXPONA 2025.  Compared to its price, seems high value - Sonics punching above its price point.