What does one purchase after owning horns?

My experiences with 3.5s is that even at 100 db they show signs of serious compression, as well as ill defined bass and peaky treble, and this was with Krell amplification, a better match than Threshold, ime. 100 db is a volume that I do listen at, and good horns do this well. I do not believe room size matters when discussing loudness cues. At a lower listening level, dynamics are still apparent in recordings and the speaker can either deliver them or not. The bashing that the two mentioned posters speak has not bothered me in quite a while. It is actually amusing, because I do not think either of these individuals have spent much time around live, unamplified music, leaving them with a dislike of anything close. I will continue on this thread, enjoying myself, and knowing the truth. So bash all you want. Your 3.5s do not sound anything like live music, just a good hifi speaker. However, I will never bash you because this is the sound you go for. To each his own. I take that back. I am still awaiting your shipping address for the shipment of the Qtips. Enjoy !

Unsound, just for the record, I have stated many many times that I own a pair of Klipsch Lascalas, so maybe you were not paying attention.

I think Atmasphere makes an important point. For me, loudness can mean many things, not just the ability to produce sound that measures 120 dB!

From my perspective, in addition to absolute level, it includes rise time and the ability to produce a given level cleanly and without stress. I've never heard live acoustic music sound distorted or harsh. Yes it may become too loud to be comfortable but that is a function of sound pressure levels. Reproduced music on the other hand can become uncomfortable for me to listen to long before it becomes so loud I need to turn it down or leave the room.

So back to the OP question, I suppose it becomes an issue of finding speaker/amp combinations with sufficient headroom and low distortion. After that the specific choice is a matter of personal taste -- a point emphasized by many of the replies here.

Before Y'all go calling Unsound and Weseixas trolls, consider the fact that their advocacy is what keeps certain parts of this community on their respective toes. I for one value their input, even though I often disagree. If they can present an argument that has merit, I feel that it should be considered.

I used to have a very similar viewpoint about horns as Unsound as often expressed:

horns can play louder than most any other loudspeakers, but they're a one trick pony, IMHO, sounding completely obnoxious in every other regard.

Now that I no longer agree with this comment is only based on my experience have having to re-visit what horns are about. This is experiential, and we don't all have the same experience. IMO/IME, it is probably more important to sort out why that is the case- I think we can learn more if we look at it that way.

BTW- I was the one that mentioned the 120 db. If an orchestra can do it, we should be able to in the home too. That we are not there yet ( 'turn that !@#$%^ down!' ) says a lot about the weaknesses in our technology.

The OP has gotten out of horns and now the church attempts to drag him back in by flaming others.

Dan_ed, John-k, it appears the mods allow you guys to flame others without recourse. John-K why don't you try backing up your rhetoric with some real data, I mean you claim a lot, show something, instead you choose to flame others..

I'm not here promoting any topology, I have never told anyone to switch from horns, ESL, ribbons , Thiels or anything for that matter. It doesn't matter what you or the others think sound the "best", that's the choice we all have and make when we put together " our" system.

What i will not let pass is the Phoobie dust science you guys spew for reality, no! i will not allow such to go uncheck and i know enuff about horns to know they do not work for me, preferring speakers which are more time and phase coherent with low coloration...

Dig !!!