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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
larryi
4,055 posts
 

While I appreciate the theoretical discussion, how about some perspective on the sound?  What specific systems or drivers/components have you all heard and either liked or really disliked?

I have been listening to a system with three G.I.P. field-coil drivers: 18" woofer, WE 555 clone midrange compression driver (feeding a YL horn, and a WE 597 clone tweeter.  This is among the nicer sounding horn systems I've heard.  I have heard MANY systems using YL horns and drivers, IPC compression drivers, some RCA drivers and WE drivers that I have also liked a lot.  These were all custom builds.

In my own system, I run a WE 713b compression driver and a 12025 sectoral horn, and a fostex bullet tweeter and twin 12" drivers in an Onken bass reflex cabinet.  I suppose this is a horn hybrid system, but, it is at least reasonably efficient (99 db/w) and I run it easily with a 5 watt pushpull amp.

I have heard a few commercial horn systems that sounded quite nice, such as an EdgarHorn system and Cessaro system.  I also liked, with some reservations, the Avantgarde duo and trio systems I've heard (bass was a bit uneven and not well integrated). 

johnk's avatar
johnk OP
1,975 posts
 
Would agree horns match best with horns making a hybrid system is a compromise. Full horn loaded systems are rare mostly due to size and since rare not many experience them. I have people fly in from many parts of the earth to hear mine. I have built owned so many horn systems over the years and at this time have 3 all front loaded horn systems running many are stored- one uses a 20ft long 900lb front bass horn- one just a giant RCA front horn -also using pair of RCA Shearer horns and a pair of community leviathans with 515 and TAD mid all systems use combinations of vintage and modern though I can and have run many stock to get a idea what they were originally capable of.  Since much of front horning is done by DIY types I have heard greatness but also ignorance in some set ups. But even those who bumble are learning and knowledge is well worth pursing. I do know that today hands on is kind of shunned most today just want to drop in local shop or open amazon and get instant gratification. So I never expect front horns to become popular but they sure can perform and I do think that some will always be after this performance aspect since most other designs do not equal it or do not supply it due to size and cost constants. The market demands small similar designs and that is what buyers get. The market does not demand giant horn systems but that doesn't negate what these types of design are capable of. Today if one wants better than average one must seek it out and that takes a bit of effort that today most do not care to do.
johnk's avatar
johnk OP
1,975 posts
 
phusis-{ In essence: the controversy surrounding "horns," as I see it, has more to do with misinformation, confusion of definition, convenience and habitual bias than any actual assessment of a pair of true horn speakers}  I agree -I would also add that disinformation on horns is also put out by audio dealers and manufacturers to shill products and self promote own designs. 
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,024 posts
 
I think that an all-horn system would be ideal, but as a user of a hybrid system myself, I have to say that it can do a very good job as well. Consider that with the one compression driver covering all of the treble and midrange, it already has an advantage in coherence, and the bass provided by the direct radiating drivers in my system seems to blend in very well. I think that there must be many other hybrid systems out there that do a good job as well. 
larryi
4,055 posts
 

Johnk,

You are correct that very few have heard a full horn system that include front loaded woofers.  I agree they are terrific sounding.  But, they are rare because they are impractical, not because they don't deliver the goods as far as sound is concerned.  I am looking at a hybrid system using an open baffle woofer and even that is WAY too big to be really practical.

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