Horn based loudspeakers why the controversy?

It's true that they have higher distortion when they are run at anywhere near the rated power but they also have vanishing low distortion if they are run at about 10% of full power. So when you hear them coupled with  horns usually you're not hearing the amps distort.   Solid-state is the opposite at about 10% of its full power it will have quite a bit higher distortion  then the SET amp at 10%.

+1  I think most people don't understand this simple fact about SETs and thus don't get to hear what they really do!

Try Everest DD66000, K2 S7500, S3100, K2 S9900, M2.. etc.

I have a customer with K2s- powered by our largest amp, the MA-3. They are amazing and does not hurt to have that kind of power behind them (our amps haver very low distortion at low power levels unlike most push-pull amps; I think that is why he gets away with this).

I am enjoying a pair of Klipsch Lascala speakers, which are my 3rd pair. These have the " AL " crossovers, which I understand, were not designed by PWK, but by another engineer at Klipsch, designed to be a more " audiophile " crossover. I have dampened the horns, the drivers, the cabinets, and have dampened and isolated the crossovers. I have owned so much gear in my 50 years of this ( including many speaker types, and brands ), and, all I can say, I am extremely happy.  I do use subs for the lowest octave, and run the LS's full range. Thank you, MrD

Got to hear Klipsch  Heresy and Forte 3s today for first time.    Local dealer just started carrying these.   I was very pleasantly surprised by the Heresy 3.   I could live with those. 

Does the hearing ability of the individual make any difference in the opinion of horns?  It seems like they provide more directional energy  thus providing a better experience for those who have lost a little top end or detail in their hearing.  I have never owned horns, but the giant horns at audio shows always intrigue me and I would really like to hear them.