Single driver speakers without the pitfalls?

One of teh reasons I like the OHM Walsh CLS speakers so much is that the driver is above the cabinet firing vertically for the low end and wave bending to emit sound horizontally at the higher frequencies. The Walsh operating principle seem to distribute the work along the cone better. I have never heard any OHM CLS driver speaker exhibit any signs of stress or breakup EVER, even operating at high volume outdoors (off a suitable amp). And the sound is always most coherent, as advertised.

Cabinets only come in to play to provide volume needed for bass response and can be easily refurbed and refitted as needed to avoid expensive new cabinets unless desired.

Its a fantastic design with minimal tradeoffs. It does take some getting used to though, more like listening to live music than speakers.

Audience makes a range of single driver based loudspeakers that solve most of the problems mentioned in this thread. Their downsize is that they are not high sensitivity.

I apologize for coming into this discussion late. IMO there are a very few good single-driver speakers on the market, although not many that are well known. Limitations? Yes, but different and no more than with most "conventional" speaker designs.

One speaker manufacturer that offers an interesting product is EARO, made in Sweden. These are single driver ACTIVE speakers featuring a rear-loaded horn. There are two models, one with an 8" driver and the other using a 5" driver. Frankly, I think that these are among the finest sounding speakers I have ever heard.

*Disclaimer* I am the U.S. dealer for the EARO speaker line. I actually purchased a pair for myself before I decided to sell the line.

Rebbi,

Having owned the Tekton Pendragons, and auditioning the Zu Soul Supreme, I am more than happy to retain my Grand Veenas. That said, I would take the Pendragon over the Zu any day.

Shakey

Been reading this thread with much interest as I've always wanted to see what the so called "magic" of a well executed single driver setup was all about. The closest I've come is my current setup of Ohm Walsh 3's which run a semi full range driver crossed over very high (I believe above 8 or 9K), these speakers do a lot well for me and leave little to complain about.

What's striking to me about this thread is that most people who have converted to single driver systems say it's the "distortion" of multiple drivers and crossovers etc... that they are free from that provide them a clarity and magic that multiple drivers can't match. However,the pro-multi driver guys say that the "distortions" of a single driver trying to produce ALL frequencies is like nails on a chalkboard to them. OK, so where does the truth lay? I suppose somewhere in between? Or is it that peoples hearing is so different from person to person and that what one likes another finds unpleasant? I suppose like most things in this hobby there will never really be a consensus but I find it interesting that the term "distortion" is what most people describe as their reasoning...