I need advice on Lowthers

The only horns I have ever heard were Klipsch. The conditions were not very good and I did not like what I heard. They sounded like....well, horns, loud horns.

But I find Hedlund Horns to be one of the most attractive speakers I have ever seen. I have always thought about trying horns done right.

But my big question! Can they produce good imaging. Imaging is essential to me and the Klipsch were totally directional. No imaging at all, everything came right out of these two big HORNS.

I like the idea of a single driver without crossover components. Bass is nice, but not as important as detail and a glorious midrange....along with imaging! I want my speakers to disappear and produce a realistic soundstage.

Could some of you guys address these issues.

Doc: If you plan on hanging onto the 3A's and budget is a consideration the Voight Pipes (as TWL mentions) might be a fun project (we discussed these off forum). I will probably use Fostex speakers due to budget. I realize that they (the pipes) are not the best, but they are very attractive/unusual and good results are being had by those who like to experiment a bit with the original design. I had first thought of using a single (flat board) baffle with a Lowther "type" speaker but upon looking @ this design figure that they are easy enough to build, if I have the lumber yard make the cuts for me. Here is a website that will give you some insight into this design (it is also the Single Driver Website, or one of them anyway). My main speakers are a pair of Reynaud Twins (which I will be keeping) and these will just be for a different sound.

http://melhuish.org/audio/diy12.htm

I have yet to hear the "modern" Lowthers, just the vintage ones which were too bright for me. The new models look to be very interesting and have addressed this problem per the ad copy.

Fiddler, the imaging of the horn loaded speakers is really related to the frequencies that the horn is presenting. In the Lowther type back loaded horns, the driver is handling the mids and highs, with the horn working primarily to handle the lower mids and bass. As such, the critical midrange area is providing a point source which is excellent for imaging. The imaging problems of horns generally occur with front loaded horn designs, although I have heard of some which seem to image well. The Voight Pipes mentioned above are a very good imaging design with the point source, direct radiator design augmented in the bass with a combined back horn/transmission line in the shape of a tall wedge. This is a very easy/cheap way to get into single drivers that is very rewarding in sound quality. Also, the bass is better than you might imagine. Some Voight Pipes can get down to 40Hz with the right drivers and line length.

Dekay,

Thanks for the link. I just printed off the Voight Pipes design. Looks like a pretty straight forward weekend project.

You are welcome Doc (and thanks to TWL as well). Please give an update if you try them. I purchased my wife a car today (one that we have been searching years for) and have also been off work for two years, so it looks like I will be putting this project off for awhile. The car is a 72 Citroen ID (@ an unheard of price for the condition). I have no regrets (and hey it even has a stereo:-).