Attention Horn Owners


Hey guys. I’m in the middle of making a few changes and seek your wisdom and help. Doing my research for speakers, I currently own Audio Note e/lx, and I think I might need a little more bass presence. These are wonderful, natural sounding speakers but I’m debating a change. Slightly more efficient would be nice, the AN’s are listed at 94db but some say measure closer to 92db. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 
Now for the post title. Doing my research I came across Volti. I like purchasing American made when I can, my amp and preamp are Aric Audio. I’ve never heard a horn speaker before. Reviews of some say they tend to be bright, which is a no go for my sensitive ears. Reviews did mention that Volti are not bright. So, any comments regarding ear fatigue and horn speakers or Volti speakers would be fantastic. 
‘Finally, I live on Long Island. If there is any nearby who would be kind enough to allow me to listen to a horn speaker, there’s a six pack or bottle of wine in it for you! lol. I’d love to hear a pair before I spend 1 million hours researching different ones. Thanks in advance. Earthbound

earthbound

I’m a Khorn AK7 owner. When I added a pair of subs; like wow. For years I was a single sub user. Given your equipment and comments that’s my best guess for you.

I'll add myself in here if you're making the trip out to NJ, I have a pair of Pure Audio Project Duet 15 Horns en route, but won't be here for a couple of weeks, but am located in Morristown not too far away from Somerset.  This will be my first set of high efficiency speakers and first set of horns, and I bought them sound unheard, so I've got some experimenting to do, my listening room is fairly small at 11'x15' but I do have a REL Carbon sub hooked up as well, welcome to stop by if in the area, Morris Essex line NJ transit line stop is 2 min from me.

Perhaps you can consider a speaker from Charney Audio. They have wonderful sound with a horn design. Depending on the model, you will have all the bass you need and a wonderful sound. I have the Companion with AER BD-3 drivers. Bass goes down to 32Hz. I use a pair of SVS subs all driven by an Aric Audio Motherload XL pre and Radu Tarta Custom 45 DHT and could not be happier. The Concerto goes down to 20 Hz. Sensitivity is around 106, so my 2 Watts is more than enough to make them sing. They are in Sumerset NJ, so not too far of a drive to hear them for yourself. 
Other than owning a pair, I have no affiliation with Brian Charney

Not to hijack this thread, but I am currently running a Hifi Rose RA-180 amp that is a 400 WPC GaN Fet Class D amp, which made sense with my much less efficient Gallo Reference 3.5s, but with the efficient horns I suspect I probably need to swap it out.  

I see a lot of love for Aric Audio in this thread anyone have any idea how hot the Aric Audio 2A3 runs?  I was considering this for the Duet speakers, but got turned off from tube power amps b/c the Rogue M-120 monoblocks (KT88s if I remember correctly) I had years ago got so hot in my room, my system was basically unlistenable in the summer (sounded great, the heat was just unbearable in the summer).

@sinner I don't have Aric, but do have 2A3 stereo amp from Whammerdyne (pair of 2A3's, single 6DJ8) driving my PAP Trio15 Horn1's. It gets warm and 2A3's heat up, but not like larger tube amps. Only 4.3 watts. Doubt it would cause heat in room to be uncomfortable.

@sinner My setup is all tubes. I have the Aric Audio Motherload XL and the Radu Tarta 45 SET. I live in (hot) New Orleans, and you are welcome to listen any time you are in the area, and do not notice any change in room temperature. I don't know about the 2A3, but the Radu 45 SET I was running (selling it as Radu built me a custom 2 box 45) as well as my new Radu 45 give off very little heat. Sometimes,  I don't see the glow of the tubes in the day and hold my hand above them to see if they are on. Not a great test as  I don't really feel much.  The 2A3 is twice the power of the 45, but at 3.5 watts, I dont suspect there is a whole lot more heat vs my setup

SET and horn lovers have to admit this presentation may not be for everyone. Generally speaking, this is a performers in room presentation, very immediate, up front, sort of like first few rows at concert. Some find this too up front, in your face presentation, may prefer being more distant to performers, instead of bringing performers into your room, you're taken to the recording venue. I've heard differing presentations that were quite compelling, there is no objectively superior presentation. we like what we like.