Why not horns?


I've owned a lot of speakers over the years but I have never experienced anything like the midrange reproduction from my horns. With a frequency response of 300 Hz. up to 14 Khz. from a single distortionless driver, it seems like a no-brainer that everyone would want this performance. Why don't you use horns?
macrojack
Prdprez - I started this thread with the hope that I might engender a useful and enlightening discussion about horn loudspeakers. I know from first hand experience that there are horns that do not pollute the air with what generally is called horn sound. Mine are as crystal clear and utterly precise as anything you have ever heard and in all likelihood significantly more so. It can be done and Bill Woods has done it. I gambled when I bought my horns and it paid off handsomely. Not all of my gambles have been so rewarding.

My reason for asking everyone to read Bill's article on horn geometry is an attempt to get all of us on the same page. It is a thoughtful piece around which we could center a debate. It could serve to take us beyond isolated anecdotal testimony and baseless claims.

Everyone:
Duke and Johnk are professional speaker builders who have found out first hand what they are trying to share with you. A bit of gratitude would be nice and a show of respect would not be entirely out of line. Ralph owns Atma-Spere, one of the most highly respected lines of tube amplification made in the U.S. For some years now he has worked closely with John Wolfe of Classic Audio Reproductions, a very highly reviewed line of horn hybrid loudspeakers. These guys know more than you do. Be grateful that they are sharing their views and experiences and stop trying to show off. Ralph, in particular, has attended every major U.S. show for more than 20 years and knows most products pretty well. Unlike me, he has a broad knowledge of how one product compares to another and in this area his knowledge likely surpasses any of us. Please be grateful. What these guys bring to the table goes beyond just theory - it is the voice of experience.
Mapman, it took me a few years to minimize the box resonance from the boxes. Simply, I used test tones with a microphone/spl meter, my feel of the box and my ears, as well as a wide range of music to come up with my mods. I originally started with a brace at the front corners of the bass horns. I than used some resonant free aluminum bars(found at a surplus parts place in town),applying them one pair at a time. Until they passed my criteria. The wife is ok with them, because of the paint and vinyl tile I have used to make them room friendly. Some of these bars face horizontal,some vertical. I had done another pair prior, but overdamped the boxes. Not much more to say. MrD
Mapman, to answer the last part of your question. The resultant sound is to my ears musically perfect. The Lascala was designed to to be listened to from very very far away. I listen about 14 feet away, which at the volume levels I like to listen, I was hearing the boxes, which now I do not. Very clean and quick throughout the spectrum. MrD
Prez, I got your email. Funny you should call me a complete and utter fool when I clearly demonstrated your idea about power doubling when an amp is paralleled is wrong. The link to BAT said nothing about the difference in the amps except one has more power. Distortions do not average.

This is going nowhere because you can't admit these basic ideas are true.

Please quit bothering me.

.
"Mine are as crystal clear and utterly precise as anything you have ever heard and in all likelihood significantly more so." - Macrojack

I can appreciate your enthusiasm for horns. I really can.
But this statement can not be supported in any manner since you do not have first hand experience with what I have heard.
Nor do I have the benefit of hearing your system.
So, on this we are at an impasse.
Fortunately this is fine. I'll continue to keep an open mind, try to learn whatever I can from you and your fellow enthusiast, and wait for the day that I hear a horn I can truly appreciate.
Cheers!!