Cogent horns

I'm under the impression that compression drivers (field coil or otherwise) vary less from best to worst than horns do.
According to Bill Woods and a few other sources I have encountered through reading, only a conical horn can deliver the original sound waves intact. Tractrix and elliptical designs cause cancellation within their bell which results in a distorted delivery. When you talk to Steve Schell, ask him about that.
After researching the various opinions I've heard, I'm pretty confident that Bill knows what he's talking about. Field coils likely will further sharpen what is already a phenomenally clear picture.

These horns may not be for everyone as they present a very focused and utterly unadulterated voice. I'm talking espresso black, straight whiskey, rifle barrel delivery. By comparison your cone drivers give you beer with milk in it.
Its weaker and murkier. I know you don't think so now and I imagine you will need a while to get used to good horns, but if you do, there will be no going back to the tame, diluted sound of big brand everyday, ho-hum, reviewer darlings.
I wish I could afford Bill's bass horns. Donations are welcome.

Thanks for this great discussion! I don't often find much of any interest to me in this forum, but now we're talking HORNS!

I apologize if I pull this discussion in a bit of a different direction from FC. I would like to hear more about the difference in sound from a conical vs. tratrix horn. It is difficult enough to audition most cone and dome speakers, but horns?!? We're talking damn near impossible.

Is there really that much difference in the distortions that lead to the "horn" sound between these two approaches? Also, I have heard that this can be corrected to some extent with a tweak to the crossover, like raising the pole. How much can be corrected in this fashion?

Hi Dan - Have you seen this?

http://www.lenardaudio.com/education/07_horns_2.html

Also the horn page:

http://www.lenardaudio.com/education/07_horns.html

After you've read this, call Bill Woods and ask your questions.

He's located up your way, incidentally. Hastings, Ontario.
Maybe you can go see him.

Thanks for the links, Macrojack. There is good information on horns. However, I still don't see anything that discusses the cone vs. tractrix sound. I'll do some googling.

Perhaps the answers I'm looking for will only come with hearing the difference between my current tractrix horns and some conical horns. The ante to play at that table is a bit stiff. :-)

Dan - Bill can answer your questions. 1-705-696-2092

I hunted around for info for some time before I found him and he answered my questions without a sales pitch and without dissing anyone else. He will tell you about shortcomings and compromises in all designs including his own. You'll enjoy the experience.