Are horns and hi-eff designs becoming more popular

pauly,

The Cardersound dual loaded horns have caught my eye here on a'gon of late.

They appear well made and reasonably affordable and the point source design with the high/low double horn loading is a design that, having never actually heard, makes a lot of sense to me.

I'd love to hear them just for the sake of hearing them. Unfortunately, the big speaker effect discussed in this thread impacts me...there is nowhere in my home I could place them and do them justice even if I were inclined to.

Funny thing is you don't need to see them being popular, besides some bose, or jbl, polk speakers, Klipsch I am sure sells just as many pairs that would shock you in the #'s here and overseas...

Marketing is not as needed as you think.

They have always been popular, its like metallica, they sell out all their concerts but nobody that watches american idol has probably even heard of them today, or seen them so automatically its not commercial or the popular universal choice.. Our hobby is not commercial, but its way bigger than most probably think.
(Disclaimer: No I am not a big metallica fan, it was a solid example showing its bigger than you think is all, and they have quietly sold millions of albums underground and more commercially)

05-23-08: Mapman
[of Cadersounds] Unfortunately, the big speaker effect discussed in this thread impacts me...there is nowhere in my home I could place them and do them justice even if I were inclined to.

Is height a problem or footprint?

Jeff makes a Fostex 126 version which a very modestly sized footprint, albeit still at 6’ high. (I cannot think that height can be much of a problem unless you have sloping ceiling or such like) I auditioned the 126es at first and I very nearly went for them rather than the Madisons.

Alternatively, if you really do need a small speaker, JohnK makes (or used to at least) a Fostex 126E based BLH that is really tiny (2’ high) but sounds really very good given their small stature. I have a pair and I had to use stands they’re so tiny.

Note, I am not affiliated with Jeff or John in any way, but vouch for their products as a satisfied customer.

Regards
Paul

Height and WAF.

The only room I could even think about putting those in is my office (not a fully dedicated listening room) which is only 12X12 and they would stick out like a sore thumb even in there currently. I'd also probably have to consider changing my amplification.

At this point, I'm curious about horns but not likely to make a big investment in them. I may test the waters somewhat soon with a smaller pair of Klipsch reference which would give me a flavor at modest cost.

Believe me if I could, the Cardersounds would get their due share of consideration! Maybe some day when I retire or something I may have the time and inclination to re-arrange my life just for a pair of speakers. Yes, I can be that crazy when it comes to this stuff!

Mapman I see some of your other posts on Klipsh horns. I for one do not feel the other Klipsch are in the same league heritage. If you do go heritage go old. Mine are 1980 Lascala's and Grey can mids. Mine do not have the Alnico tweeter. They were being phased out by then. The cost of Alnico is $30 a pound and ceramic magnets are 50 cents to $5 per pound. So I bet you can imagine why they stopped using "the singing magnets". I never knew why Lascala's sounded better than friends with '80's and '90's horns.