Why not horns?

Hi Macrojack - many of us cannot afford the current horn designs, even if they are "only" $5000. I think I paid about that for my entire modest system. No, it probably isn't the very best out there, and yes, I do wish I could hear some of these newer designs. However, no one anywhere near me carries them, so I don't really know when I am going to be able to hear them. As for Altec and Klipsch, their older designs still beat anything else I have ever heard in any store or home I have ever been in. That's not to say I am closed to another possibility at all, I am merely stating the fact. I have read quite a bit about these newer designs, here and on other forums, but I can only speak to what I have actually heard. I, for one, thank you for starting this thread and for trying to help spread the word about horn designs, which have really gotten a bad rap very unjustifiably.

Learsfool - You are certainly welcome. I had high hopes that horn lovers would come out of the woodwork and learn about each other and share their info about who is making and offering horn products and about shortcuts, bargains or mods that might further the appreciation of what horns can do. We got some info about Klipsch mods and some comments from horn designers and some people like Herman who really is adventurous and innovative. But mostly we went round and round defending our interest against an unnecessary and unwelcome onslaught of naysayers who justified their intrusion by pointing out repeatedly the title of the thread. All in all - not very successful.

As for the $5000, I threw that figure out there as a contrast to the $60,000 you often see for quality horn systems. There isn't much finished product for sale under $10,000, even used. Unless you purchase vintage items like Altec, Klipsch and JBL. I used an old pair of JBL L-200s as bass modules, bypassing the crossovers and horns inside them and hard-wiring the woofers to a power amp. I used the preamp I already had and bought a DBX Drive Rack PA for about $400. Then I used an amp I already had to drive my horns. So my rig didn't cost me very much. The horns and compression drivers were about $3500 at the time including shipping from Canada.

If you get the urge at some point, you might find that you can add a better horn to your Cornwalls. Or you might have very good results for a lot less money by investigating some of the aftermarket upgrade options available for Klipsch. I have no experience with them but the reports seem sober and realistic and numerous. Or you could just decide that you are happy and keep on keeping on.

If you are in western Colorado sometime, you are welcome to hear my horns.

"There isn't much finished product for sale under $10,000, even used. "

That likely helps account for limited interest.

Why talk about the benefits of something that few can afford to do well?

I see Oris150 horns with bass cab sets on Audiogon every now and then for $3-4k. I expect those could hang pretty well with the best as long as the drivers are good ones, and the crossover point is done well.

Mapman - Part of my intent here is to elicit testimony from people like myself who found an affordable way to put together a good horn system.

T-bone - I suspect you are right. I know a couple of guys in other parts of the country who have Oris and swear by them. Both are seasoned audiophiles and highly credible.