Horn Speaker Recommendations


I am looking for your feedback on what Horn speakers I should consider in the $15k-$40k price range.  Please describe the rationale for your recommendations.  
willgolf

 I found the review refreshing because over 95% of the reviews I read on equipment rarely ever cite music that I listen to. Its almost always Classical, Jazz, female vocals etc and that's not up my alley. This reviewers song selections I know quite well (other than SADE) so I can relate...finally.

I just sold some Audio Note AN-E SPX Al-Nico's this week (too polite for Rock) so will probably go bottom fishing this week and pick up a pair of Forte III's to experiment with. At 1/10th the price of the Audio Notes Im not risking much. Don't have room for the larger Klipsch Horns. Will probably pair with my low wattage amps (Audio Note Jinro/Pass XA25/Valvet E2 SE/First Watt Sit-3 Mono's).


I understand, and completely validate, how wonderful the Jubilee is. However, as I pointed out, they fall into a category of similarity to the monstrous horn speakers johnk was talking about. The projection, presentation, and pressurization ( the 3 Ps ) of these, would be too much in a typically sized room. My Lascalas, at their size and capability, can fill an auditorium. These large horns, such as the Jubillee, in a typical room, would make a piano sound larger than life, and I am not talking about dynamics here. As much as I love their sound, they would simply overwhelm the listening experience, for me, in my current room. I can easily pinpoint, currently, the musicians, on a stage, in a realistic, and proper perspective, from my listening chair. This is, of course, my opinion, given my listening for so many years. I have stated elsewhere, that imaging and sound staging, are not the top priority for me when listening to a sound system. But I do not want to listen to a 60 foot wide piano, as it is simply not realistic for me. If I had a movie theater as a listening room, that would be another matter. With all this being said, if anyone would like to give me a pair of Klipsch Jubilees, or sell me a pair very reasonably, I believe I can modify and tweak them, have fun with them, and make them work in my room, living with the musicians, as  being giants, lol. Enjoy ! MrD.
" they fall into a category of similarity to the monstrous horn speakers johnk was talking about. The projection, presentation, and pressurization ( the 3 Ps ) of these, would be too much in a typically sized room. "
  Well monstrous I guess is in the eye of the beholder and anyone can go to the Klipsch cinema site and get exact dimensions to plan by. There are more of these in houses than people might think because they do not overwhelm anything but rather bring stunning big stage realism to even moderate sized rooms. You control the volume and if you want it stupid loud you can go there. If you want striking fidelity at any level loud or quiet you can go there too only it adds presence smaller speakers and half horn and half direct radiating speakers only dream of.
  Before Paul Klipsch died these were being developed as the next stage after the KHorn. Subsequently they made it only to the Cinema line we Klipsch guys figure because they are twice the sound of KHorns and half the price. Pro speaker buyers are a lot more fussy about price combined with superior sound for that price. About that 60' piano. Sounds good but in reality if the recording has the piano centered in the room so will the Jubilees  and crap recordings might give you a 60' sound stage good ones give you a regular piano with precision.

  OP before you let people fill you full of their opinions on why things like Jubilees WONT work go to the klipsch forum and find out why they will work from people who have done what you want to do. If you are really seeking sound and not status you simply can't ignore what horns bring to the table. Projection and presentation and pressurization making these unsuitable is nonsense. Talk to those who have done it and see what they have to say. You pass the idea up of a pure horn system you will regret doing so if you ever hear anything like those Jubilees.
mahlman, I know you, from the " bay ", as I recognize those huge full range horn speakers in ur warehouse. Place them in a 15 by 20 room, a standard sized listening room for many, and yes, they would be overwhelming, both visually, and acoustically. Now, knowing who you are, I can understand your viewpoint. I still disagree, as I do feel the speakers, in relation to the room size, are quite critical, and my many years of professional system design and set up, tells me that. We are all entitled to our opinions, have different experiences, and ultimately, our goals in a system. If the room was large enough, and the listening seat were further from the horns than norm, I might see them working. Again, I am not stating they aren't amazing. I am simply saying, " I " would want a larger listening area, and a further distance between them and my listening seat. Your last paragraph makes it sound like I was trying to talk the OP out of purchasing horns, which I am not. Your aluminum tweeter housings ( as well as your wooden ones ) for the Klipsch Lascalas, are very interesting. I am wondering if Roy Delgado would feel the Jubilees would work in a 15 by 20 room. Sorry if I offended you. Enjoy ! MrD.
A lot of love for Klipsch speakers on this thread.  Hmmmm, I wonder why there are so many for sale on the US audio mart website?