What Horn loaded speaker/ speaker system for $10k'ish and under


I’m looking to go potentially go back to a horn loaded speaker, or hybrid budget under $15k. I’ve had LaScala’s in the resent past (prior to my current Spendor D9.2’s that are for sale now) and loved them but I feel there is better out there for similar money.

JBL horns like the 4367 or 4349, S3900, S4700? Volti? LALS? others I’ve forgotten or not known.

I’d like to have efficiency above 90db,

extension to 35hz or close to it, I could live with subs though.

I’m not apposed to used in good condition, I will not buy black speakers though.

 

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Check out the Pure Audio Project models with the horn. I've got the Trio15 Horn1 and they are superb! Highly sensitive and easy to drive (I drive mine with a 4.3-watt 2A3 tube stereo amp, Whammaerdyne). Glorious music makers.

JBL's seem to be well liked here. i'll have to go for a listen.

Pure Audio project have been on my radar for a while now but i don't believe i have the space for them. 

I've also looked at Rethm but i don't feel they are what i'm looking for obviously not horn loaded but i do like a single driver full ranger in some smaller applications.

PBN looks interesting.  

The term “horn” has several meanings, so it is a bit tricky determining what is a horn system.  Some drivers may have a wave guide in front of the driver cone or dome and that may qualify as a “horn” to some people but not to others.  I tend to think that a horn system as having compression drivers plus a long throat and a waveguide.  Others will look at the cabinet the speaker is in, and if it has a long folded channel for the backwave that increases in cross section to a large opening, that makes the driver a back-loaded horn.  Rethm speakers, like Charney speakers are back-loaded horns.  The large, single full or wide range drivers, like those in the Rethm and Charney and Cube Audio speakers, have wave guides coming off the center part of the drivers which, depending on one’s definition, can also be considered “horns” (those smaller cones are also intended to vibrate so they do much mor than act as wave guides).

JBL Hartsfield. JBL's answer to the K Horn.

Available as a replica or you can build your own from plans online.