Horn based loudspeakers why the controversy?


As just another way to build a loudspeaker system why such disputes in forums when horns are mentioned?    They can solve many issues that plague standard designs but with all things have there own.  So why such hate?  As a loudspeaker designer I work with and can appreciate all transducer and loudspeaker types and I understand that we all have different needs budgets experiences tastes biases.  But if you dare suggest horns so many have a problem with that suggestion..why?
128x128johnk
Just an FYI. Peter Noerback, of PBN Audio, introduced recently, a " horn " hybrid loudspeaker, using JBL pro drivers. He has used all of his listening and engineering prowess, to build a cabinet and crossover, to accommodate these drivers, resulting in, what he says, is the " best " he has ever designed. I think this says a lot about horn designs. Reminds me of the Epic CF4s I was owned ( although a D' Appolito design ) as, they have been mentioned in this post by another, claiming of all the speakers that have come and gone, these has stayed the longest, and he gets the most satisfaction out of them. No one here is claiming that horns are perfect ( I sure am not ), but I still say, with all else being excellent ( room, equipment, tweaks and such, horns do more good, than bad, in recreating a live musical event, if this is the sound you want, and this, is what you feel it should sound like ( of course, still personal ). Still, not for everybody. I value listeners, of all backgrounds and experiences, to select what they like. Again, this is what our hobby is all about. Sorry for my posts today, I suppose, I am in a passionate mood ( unfortunately ), I do not have a woman with me at the moment. MrD
I did something quite unexpected.....   I auditioned a pair of Klipsch Heresy lll.....   and I ended up taking them home.   With a good sub they sound fantastic and are the closest thing to live music I've ever had in this room...
As noted many of the main stream mags stay away from horns here’s a tid bit from Art Dudley for Stereophile on Charney Audio at CAF last month...

“After the Capital Audio fest vintage seminar and my visit to Vinyl Revivers, I looked at my phone and saw that time was running out: I had just over three hours left to cover seven or eight more rooms. Time to get cracking!
I remembered Charney Audio from a previous show: based in Somerset, New Jersey and run by designer Brian Charney, they specialize in horn-loaded, full-range speakers and low-power amplifiers—and the last time I heard their products, I thought the company had considerable promise. Based on what I heard at CAF 2017, Charney has upped his game even further: the sound from the company's Companion Mk.II loudspeaker ($12,000/pair as shown, with optional Voxativ AF 2.6 drivers and maple veneer and hardwood accents; other versions start at $5850/pair), driven by a pre-production Charney amp and fed by a Japanese Sparkler Audio 503 CD player ($1500), with cabling by Jena Labs, sounded clear, detailed, and very tactile and present—but without the shout that plagues other Lowther-like designs.

The system had a somewhat light balance, but was richer than the last Charney system I heard—and actually did a creditable job on a recording of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in d. Worth checking out.”

Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/art-wraps-it-caf2017#c3RxZYCjpA4YObBG.99