To horn or not to horn

since none of the lovers over there can even hear this, lol.

Nor should they be able to hear this. I have owned 4 pairs of horns and none have exhibited this trait.

Oz

I have Heresy's and Speakerlab 7's. The H's have metal EV mid and treble horns. The 7's have plastic mid and treble horns. The H's sound colored (overly bright) in the midrange and up. Some call this "detail" - not me! The 7's sound far more natural (and listenable) in the midrange and treble! Plus with their combination of a 12" and a 10" woofer per sealed cabinet they have the full authority in the lower bass that the H's lack. No contest - the Speakerlab 7's are clearly better sounding than the vaunted Heresy's! Not as good-looking though with their flat-black white-speckled finish! 

Cupped hands effect is BS only horns I heard that sound like that are old metal victrola horns. It's just one of the many horn myths [like all horns honk] that 1950s salesmen used to talk mono horn owners into small weak stereo speakers.  But just don't mention bass distortion thermal compression and distortion at higher SPL to non-horn owners they just don't seem to hear it or do they? I hear many monitor and slim tower owners say after 30-45 mins of listening they had enough-enough thermal compression that is. 

I sold my first pair of Heresy's quickly when I had a chance to buy a pair of Altec Madrid 872's (15" bi-flex woofers). 

... don't mention bass distortion thermal compression and distortion at higher SPL to non-horn owners they just don't seem to hear it or do they?

@johnk --

It would require of them to know, and having lived with the difference. Once heard how relaxed and effortless bass reproduction can sound like, even at full click, what's not just sounds forced, malnourished and less enveloping. Although, periodically matters are sought inverted with the claim that horn dynamics are "exaggerated." I guess comfort doesn't welcome the occasional being startled..