A single, dynamic "full-range" driver per channel is a single point source per channel. One point source per channel is a major draw, as is the avoidance of a passive cross-over, but for a single driver to approximate anything close to full-range let alone maintain its virtues over a wider band is hardly realistic, but I may sit corrected with the representation out there and the gains of the development over the years. Pearl Acoustic speakers, among other brands, have interesting (small) single-driver-sans-XO options for the smaller listening areas and with SPL-limitations. Charney Audio, Omega speakers and Voxativ are very highly praised, and may offer a more all-out assault compared to multi-way speakers with pros and cons on both sides. A coaxial driver also acts as a single point source, though it needs a cross-over (but not necessarily as passive one) and comes with caveats in the throat area of the HF-unit here and the LF-cone to act more or less as a horn. Some coaxial drivers do come equipped with a separate horn/waveguide to load the compression driver inside. The 10" coaxial driver-equipped WLM Diva speakers sound great, I find, and mate well with lower powered tube amps. There’s also the interesting, active Geithain RL 901K speakers that fairly closely emulates a point source. And then there’s Danley Sound Labs Synergy horns that act as a true point source per channel/speaker, by summing the sound of several drivers via a shared horn. They’re high efficiency speakers intended for the pro arena, but that’s not to say the can’t sound excellent in a domestic environment. Different options here, but the SH50’s are popular among the (open-minded) audiophiles that appreciate live-like dynamics and live-like tonality and overall presentation. Mated with a pair of, say, Danley Sound Labs TH50 tapped horn subs it’s a dynamite combo that can challenge most any "high-end" speakers out there, at a much cheaper price and close to unlimited dynamic envelope to boot.
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- 140 posts total
- 140 posts total