Calling all Horn lovers

My own fondness for waveguide-style constant-directivity horns is largely because of the radiation pattern control that format offers. I believe that the reverberant field plays a much larger role in perception than it is normally given credit for, and a good constant-directivity horn-based system offers an imo elegant way to do a good job with the reverberant field.

The dynamic contrast and liveliness, particularly at low levels, are icing on the cake to me... the radiation pattern control is the cake, because the reverberant field has a strong influence on the tonal balance of the system, and imo a good tonal balance is among the most fundamental requirements of a high-end loudspeaker. Unfortunately it is poor tonal balance (honk or harshness) that has prejudiced many people against horns, based on a listen to an inadequately-engineered system. I've been fortunate enough to win over a few avowed horn-haters, who apparently hadn't heard what the format has to offer when done with care.

Another major advantage of a good horn system is its compatibility with specialty tube amps (OTL, SET). These are the best-sounding amplifiers made, assuming a compatible loudspeaker system, and a good horn system will offer the efficiency and tube-friendly impedance curve that such amplifiers are looking for.

All horns are not created equal of course, and regardless of the type of horn used, a premium is placed on doing a good job with the crossover... as a bad horn system can be really, really bad. I utterly failed at my first attempts to design a crossover for a horn system, and had to learn from a couple of masters in the field (Wayne Parham and Earl Geddes) before I could even begin to do an acceptable job.

Duke
dealer/manufacturer

IME one of the most important set up requirements for horns is the distance between the horns and the listener. Much more critical, to my ears, than with any other speaker types. I am not saying this is not critical with all other types of speakers, as it is, along with all other set up requirements. To these ears, anyway. MrD.

Mr. Decibel, after they listen from 12 feet away from my horns I have visitors listen from 4 feet away. They marvel at the pinpoint imaging at 4 feet, the immediacy of the sound, the coherence, and the lack of harshness, brightness, or any of the things most folks would expect to hear.

I know studio guys who have done this with Tannoys for years.

So, for really well done horns, I disagree with your statement. Some of my horn speakers are better at listening position flexibility, especially going very close (ridiculously close relative to the size of the speakers) than any of my dynamic (cone) speakers.

dc10audio only makes horn loudspeakers none of which are compression drivers.

Disclaimer: I work with dc10audio

www.dc10audio.com

OH OH.