Horn based loudspeakers why the controversy?

I'm a fan of horns, though I currently don't run a pair.

I have some close friends who REALLY dislike horns, and instead of trying to convince or talk over them, I prefer to listen and understand their complaints.  Beyond the typical complaints about shout, some centers on the integration or lack thereof of such disparate drivers.  Even as a fan, I acknowledge and understand, though I've listened to more than a few "regular" designs that do as badly or worse.

One more thing...horns come in both front-loaded and back-loaded configurations.  Almost always in these discussions, we mean the former when we use the terms generically, but some excellent back-loaded horn products have come down the pike

The day I met The Doctor aka Mechans, the intent was to go shopping for new stereo equipment to replace his so-called out of date 1980s audio system.  He ran a pair of Klipsch Heresy loudspeakers, and as I listened, asked him, "Why would you want to replace this?!?"

I also told him to run, not walk away from this money pit of a hobby.  A big reason was the sound of his system already reached a highly enjoyable place.  Obviously, he didn't listen...