Macrojack, thank you for the introductions. Though I think these respected Audiogoner's are quite capable of introducing themselves. In fact, Atmasphere and Duke have already introduced themsleves many times over the years, JohnK hasn't been quite so upfront, but after awhile his threads do reveal his background.
As JohnK's products are custom made ones, comparing his speakers to other designs or even to other horns is like comparing apples to Pitahya/Dragons.
On this very thread Atmasphere has said that some of the worst sounding speakers he's heard were horns, and he is still dubious when confronted with new ones. While Atmasphere has always been forthright in his posts, we can't dismiss the fact that horns are particularly compatible with his products.
Duke has on this very thread posted that horns have common characteristic coloration's that some seem to be more sensitive to than others. Duke has also championed the virtues of speaker designs other than horns.
I have had many discussions over the years here with both Atmasphere and Duke, sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't, but, they are always polite and respectful. JohnK and I have had more limited discussions, but I don't believe they were ever disagreeable.
Are we to take the word of a stumbling audio schlub who declares in absolutes that he has discovered "the best midrange sound reproduction currently available" from horns without any hint of balanced reporting on a thread that begins with; "Why not horns?". This a public forum and those that disagree with your slanted opinion aren't on our way out. Those that appreciate the true concept of a forum, needn't thank us for staying in.
Another member (Mapman) cross referenced another thread that seemed relevant to this one. When I went to that thread I posted something with the caveat that I was "just kidding". Perhaps I wasn't clear enough in regard to the reference. Mrdecibel assumed it was aimed at him, and he cross referenced his objection here. I offered apologies if I unintentional offended him on both threads, and by e-mail. Mrdecibel accepted and appreciated my offering of an apology, and replied that he was still leaving this thread because he wasn't enjoying it. Now if you had actually read the follow ups, you would have known what ever slights that were felt were unintended and apologies were offered. The word that seemed to cause such hurt is apparently not in everyone's vocabulary, so I'll offer a definition here:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oxymoron
You can now understand now harm was intended. In that you have made many absolute claims with little to support them, one can only ask who is being pompous? If you were aware of the out lined previous chronology of events and the meaning of the words used, one can only ask who indeed is aiming for good will and forward progress?
Perhaps we should really get back to: "Why not horns?". If you just want to have a circle jerk with some other horn enthusiasts, you should use a different thread, and please title it in such a manner to give warning to the rest of use who don't care to participate.
If you don't want to hear from those who don't care for horns, you shouldn't title your thread; "Why not horns?" Of course if you really wanted to consider "costs and other objections" you would welcome the objections.
I really don't appreciate you inviting people to e-mail me.
Grandstanding? You started this. Once again, you seem to have forgotten Newton's third law.
Moderator of this thread? Pompous, grandstanding? Ha!
Being just another audio schlub is good enough credentials for you, but you require something more commercial for everyone else? I'm confident that those contributors whose credentials you've espoused would have the diplomacy to not to criticize manufacturers of alternate designs, and by the same token I would expect those manufactures of alternate designs to exercise the same professional courtesy. While professionals that identify themsleves as such, are very much welcome here, this forum is by and large made up of consumers and hobbyists, and in the end that's probably for the best. If you truly want to illumination, you wouldn't promulgate such a slanted perspective, which only casts a shadow on alternate points of view.
The tone of this thread could improve dramatically if you could keep on topic and not make such judgemental personal attacks.
