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

@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.  

You’d be better off buying drivers and building your own speakers. Consider using drivers from the JBL 4367 or JBL M2 and pairing them with the JBL 2269 18-inch subwoofer and a Hypex NC2K amplifier for exceptional subwoofer.

Alternatively, the Celestion Axi2050 horn drivers are top-notch and don’t require a crossover, enhancing clarity and sound quality. Pair them with the 2216ND, and you might not even need a subwoofer. However, if you do use the Hypex amp with the sub, nothing else will compare. You can also make a sub box like the dual perlistan sub box. They say that box will enhance all subs used with either 2-15's or 2-18's in one box. this is the ultimate subwoofer. nothing is better.

If building the boxes isn’t for you, a cabinet shop can make them, helping you save around $13,000.

Call Volti, talk to them, think that is the speaker you want. They work very, very well at lower volumes. What I have found that at lower volumes, the soundstage is smaller, everything else is the same. 

Have very modded Klipsch now, listen at 50-55db's in the morning when everyone is asleep. They sound wonderful, in fact listening to them currently. Don't even use any tone or loudness controls. 

Here is my suggestion FWIW:

Go to Somerset NJ and check out Charney Audio. Top of the line Maestro or bottom Companion. Keep your SVS subs, a good match. If you like the sound, then:

Sell the Weiss. $2000 should be easy get for it. Agree, not warm at all. I owned one at one time. Purchase a APS Audio Transformers PS Audio upgraded signature series. A wonderful and warm DAC. And easily upgradeable in the future.

Sell the Bryson. Should get $4000 easy. Look at a SET amp. There are some nice Radu Tarta SET amps.  2A3, 45 type (to be transparent I am selling a Radu Tarta 45 as I upgraded to a custom reference Radu Tarta 45) both under 4000. or look for a used Atmasphere Class D. 

All in, this should put you at around 16K for the Maestro or a bit more for the Companion. 

Wonderful sounding at low levels, warm and easy to listen for hours without fatigue. I am biased as this is similar to my system. And Charney is an hour from NYC.