Horn based loudspeakers why the controversy?

The real irony to me is that the same people who vehemently argue for the dynamics of horns are the same who think vinyl is king. You don't get more dynamically compressed than vinyl.

@kosst_amojan

I really feel like I need to set the record straight here. Regarding vinyl (and I realize this is off-topic so I won't linger), I run an LP mastering operation and we do CDs too. As far as dynamic range goes, these days typically the LP is less compressed than the CD. This is because there is no expectation it will be played in a car, while there is every expectation that a CD might so they get some compression. But this simple fact is you can take any digital recording and master it to LP without any processing, so long as you don't run into an out-of-phase bass problem (which can usually be solved without processing if you spend enough engineering time with the project). Due to the generalized nature of your comment, I'm saying that its false. LP has dynamic range (ideally) that is nearly that of Redbook.

Now regarding 'dynamics of horns' there is an entirely different issue at play. First, much of the 'dynamics' that audiophile discuss is really distortion due to higher ordered harmonics; I find that usually you can substitute the word 'distortion' for 'dynamics' without changing the meaning of the conversation.

But distortion usually relates to amps, and many horn lovers use SETs, which make quite a lot of distortion. They have good 'dynamics' even when not used on horns :)

As far as the horns go, the distortion they make is related to the diaphragm and the curve of the horn itself. Modern materials are available to prevent the diaphragm from having any breakups in the audio passband; these materials were not available until the early 2000s. So if your impression of horn dates to prior that time, it may simply be out of date. The curve of the horn can be optimized by the use of CAD; again if you were listening to older designs you may not realize the progress that's been made!

Horns are still important because tubes are still very much around decades on after being declared obsolete. You really don't have to know anything technical about their benefits; understanding the economics is enough- tubes do something people like. But the thing is, tube power is expensive and so horns can be quite practical and as fast and transparent as the best ESLs if field coil powered. 

 Yes many of the horns are not damped well enough including a lot of the vintage stuff. The pair of vitavox that I keep going on about were mounted in a wooden box with Sand poured around them. He said that made a big difference and took away some of the edge. I noticed  that as well with the pair of the voice of the theatres that I had. I poured lead shot over top of the horns and damped the bottom with a sticky butimen pad. Big difference!  Another point to consider is that with a pair of Vitavox or klipschhorns they need to be pushed right back in the corner of the room. So they actually end up being less obtrusive then your run-of-the-mill Monkey coffin that needs to be pulled out 5 feet from each wall. 

atmasphere

I run an LP mastering operation and we do CDs too. As far as dynamic range goes, these days typically the LP is less compressed than the CD. This is because there is no expectation it will be played in a car ...  this simple fact is you can take any digital recording and master it to LP without any processing, so long as you don't run into an out-of-phase bass problem (which can usually be solved without processing if you spend enough engineering time with the project). Due to the generalized nature of your comment, I'm saying that its false. LP has dynamic range (ideally) that is nearly that of Redbook.

I agree ... mostly. CD does have a better potential dynamic range but with actual music, it's very rarely utilized. And the way recordings are mastered, a modern LP almost always beats the comparable CD - because of how the two are mastered. It's really ironic.

 Just regarding the OP's a post I think Horns are really polarizing because they are like a microscope on the entire chain that lies before them. So if there's anything bad in the chain it really really highlights it. But if everything is good and the horns are good it's really good. 

 Also just regarding atmospheres comments about SET amps and distortion. It's true that they have higher distortion when they are run at anywhere near the rated power but they also have vanishing low distortion if they are run at about 10% of full power. So when you hear them coupled with  horns usually you're not hearing the amps distort.   Solid-state is the opposite at about 10% of its full power it will have quite a bit higher distortion  then the SET amp at 10%. And many people have bass their opinion on horns from the 70s and 80s with crappy higher powered solid-state amps. I don't know why anybody would use that combo but unfortunately lots of people did.