the big one: how do you choose speakers? By what features, data?

I’ve heard horn systems work well in small rooms; they should not be ruled out for any situation.  Also many horn systems are really at their best playing softly—they deliver a lively sound at lower volume than other types of speakers.

Don’t forget about customer service and the availability of parts if needed. 

@larryi Wrote:

I’ve heard horn systems work well in small rooms; they should not be ruled out for any situation. Also many horn systems are really at their best playing softly—they deliver a lively sound at lower volume than other types of speakers.

I agree! 😎

Mike

Join a few. SF is by far the best.

I’m not an ”expert”, but I can share my speaker shopping experience.

I’m semi retired so started in-depth researching audio components about 7yrs ago.  I read all the current audio reviews including TAS and Stereophile.  I started demoing the best speakers I can find, then try to duplicate the sound the best I can within my limited budget.  I consistently favored Magico or YG, but my budget limited me to the Nagico A5 or a used S5mk2.  I dream of the M3 maybe someday.

Since this was my first audio chain, I wanted end to end neutrality so I can easily evaluate component upgrades.  So the speaker I was targeting was neutral, linear, but not clinical.  I’m interested In crystalline highs and well defined bass.  At last year’s AXPONA, I demoed with the intent to choose a speaker to purchase.  It came down to the Magico A5 which had better treble clarity, vs Rockport Atrua sounded better balanced but somewhat muffled - show conditions often have poor sonics.  During the show I heard the very highly regarded Vimberg Mino D but when I discovered it had the D “diamond tweeter”, which is a +$10k option, it was priced above my budget.  After AXPONA, I discussed my findings with my dealer who offered to be the intermediary to help me to get the Vimberg speakers.  So after they lowered the price and I raised my budget, I purchased the demo speakers- likely the same green ones advertised in Stereophile/TAS magazines.

My other system is to explore tube midrange magic, so using a flea watt 300b amp to drive my 100db Volti Rival speakers.  I also wanted a neutral, linear speaker but very high sensitivity to run a 4-8 watt amp - choices are slim.

Other speakers that are more musical than neutral/linear are the DeVore Orangutan 0/96 and the Fleetwood Sound DeVille speakers.  Maybe someday.