What Horn loaded speaker/ speaker system for $10k'ish and under


I’m looking to go potentially go back to a horn loaded speaker, or hybrid budget under $15k. I’ve had LaScala’s in the resent past (prior to my current Spendor D9.2’s that are for sale now) and loved them but I feel there is better out there for similar money.

JBL horns like the 4367 or 4349, S3900, S4700? Volti? LALS? others I’ve forgotten or not known.

I’d like to have efficiency above 90db,

extension to 35hz or close to it, I could live with subs though.

I’m not apposed to used in good condition, I will not buy black speakers though.

 

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I have a pair of JBL 4349's in my main 2 channel listening system which use a 12" woofer and their relatively new waveguide design with a 1.5 inch compression driver for high frequencies.  I thoroughly enjoy these speakers and the high frequency response and tonal qualities of the waveguide are delightful.  They have no harshness and are not bright.  Smooth response, great soundstage/imaging and are very detailed cabinets.

Low & mid frequency response of the pulp 12" is also very good, though I cross over at 70 hertz to JBL subwoofers.  The few times I've used them while bypassing the subs, I've found the 4349's to have nice, detailed, firm bass response and may be more than adequate for most listeners.

I'm powering the 4349's with 300 solid state watts per cabinet which is more than enough for how I use my system.  Finishes include walnut along with the usual black.  Very heavy at around 80 pounds.  Sensitivity is 91 db and list price is a bit above $8,000 for a pair.

I feel that some of the Klipsch Heritage series cabinets have much more of a traditional horn and live sound to them vs. the JBL 4349's.  JBL did their homework on the waveguide to make it not sound like a horn though high frequencies will extend into the room with great effect.

I have a decent sized listening space and wanted a system that filled the room more than a smaller/traditional box speaker system could.  The 4349's (and associated subwoofers) really fill the room at moderate levels and should I wish to really make the amps work, the system can reach nearly crushing sound pressure levels. But they also work very well at low listening levels.  I enjoy most all genres of music and the 4349's are effective on most anything I listen to.  As you can probably tell from my rambling, I really love these cabinets.

While above your suggested price range, the aforementioned JBL M2's and 4367's are also great choices (M2 being the flagship waveguide loaded cabinet).  The 4435's are a cool old school JBL cabinet that were well regarded in their day, not just in the studio, but at home too.  The single 15" woofer 4430's could be another old school option for typically less money, though they do not have the low frequency "oomph" that the dual 15" JBL 4435 has.

Hello Sir

I personally own 26yo JBL S3100s a 2 way asymmetrical horn design with a 15 inch bass driver. They will not thunder you out the room, but give very fast bass response especially for a 15 with 94db efficiency without the horn drawbacks. The ME150HS bass driver is basically a 600 watt basket with a 2235 cone. You will not hear much talk about them as they were designed for the Asian Market even though made in America. Mine have been used with multiple amps throughout ownership, but settled on Warner Imaging ER300s a small manufacturer based in Baltimore around 2000 who knew how to build solid state with "Tube Character". If I decided to give them up I would replace with 4344Mk2

 

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649479281-jbl-s3100-minieverest-rare-in-northamerica/

https://audio-database.com/JBL/speaker/4344mkii-e.html

I have Volti New Rivals in the bubinga tree finish.  The build quality is off the charts.  Best sounding speakers I’ve ever had as well and I’ve owned at least a dozen.