Horns for SET: Low budget solutions

Abdou, all of the above recommendations are good ones. One thing you really will have to consider is room size:

1) Large horn speakers with multiple drivers (Altecs, Cornwalls) certainly need space. Not just because of bass, but you have to be able to sit 8-14ft away for the drivers to integrate properly. In a huge room this would be my favorite option.

2) In a very small room, Fostex based speakers are much easier. Without sitting far away you will be able to get fairly good imaging. Good examples are the Hornshoppe Horns and Cain Abbys. Both have enough bottom-end extension to get away without a subwoofer in a small room. Also you can always add a subwoofer later. In my small room the Abbys work like a charm.

Much of the above will come down to a matter of taste as well. You should try to find audiophiles in your area that might let you listen to their system - always a good idea to make friends ;)

Excellent post from Rchau. I suggest you read his post again.

Don't overlook the Zu's. I have Klipsch CW's and Zu Druids. Different, but I love both.

http://www.kcsloudspeakers.com/

Thanks for your thoughtful post Rchau. To clarify my motives, long ago I heard a pair of horn loaded speakers from a maker called S.A.P. (Strumenti Acusti Pricizione) or something like that. They had the uncanny ability to throw a soundstage out into the room that I've never heard before. Most dynamic drivers project sound behind the plane of the speakers...some well to the side of the speakers and of varying degrees of depth. I've been told that horn loaded speakers combined with a SET is the only way to produce a 3 dimensional soundstage that projects out into the room (in front of the speakers as well as behind). I've never been able to forget (or afford) the SAPs...they cost about 20 grand. But I'm looking to recreate that feeling of incredible 3D presence while not also sacrificing tone. I won't part with my old system which hinges on Sequerra monitors and a Mac 225 tube amp. I have heard horn designs that I didn't care for...so I'm loath to invest huge sums of money (even if I had it!). So in order of importance for me its: tone and imaging first, then dynamics, then in last place, bass. I own an ACI subwoofer which is very quick (compares to the REL) and which can mate with horns I'm told. I listen primarily to jazz, folk, acoustic world music, a little electronic music, some classical but rarely to hard rock.