Let me just say this. In my world ( as I assume others as well ), the goal of an audio system, is to, as faithfully as possible, recreate the live musical event. Virtues I listen for are ( not necessarily in specific order, but important ) : Top to bottom, octave to octave balance. Dynamic range. Sound staging. PRAT. Black, noiseless background. Finally, the sense of involvement. I am simplifying here, but there it is. I understand, I am listening to recordings ( live, or studio ), and some recordings are better than others, with some being exceptional, some ok, some mediocre, and some are poor. If I can get my toes tapping ( or not, depending on what I am listening to, just involved ), I have fulfilled my expectations.
Horn based loudspeakers why the controversy?
As just another way to build a loudspeaker system why such disputes in forums when horns are mentioned? They can solve many issues that plague standard designs but with all things have there own. So why such hate? As a loudspeaker designer I work with and can appreciate all transducer and loudspeaker types and I understand that we all have different needs budgets experiences tastes biases. But if you dare suggest horns so many have a problem with that suggestion..why?
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@mrdecibel They didn't use the installed PA rig for the small events they did. They used EV's on stands. I've heard the main rig plenty because I've operated cameras at their big events. It's not bad. I can't say I've ever heard an ideally set up horn rig in a residential setting. I'm not even aware of a shop that sells good horns within 100 miles of me. The lower end horns are only memorable for how annoying they were and I usually find them with big orange cones or stuffed in a theater somewhere. Honestly, I wouldn't waste anybody's time showing me K-horns because I'd absolutely never buy them at any price. Their size and placement demands make them impossible options. Like I said, if somebody has a great pair of horns for me to hear, let me know. I'll listen. I like a tight, physical kind of sound. That's why I like my Focals. It's what I've liked about horns. I don't like that in-your-face way so many project sound. I've never heard a horn not sound like that to some degree. Either that's just what horns sound like, or they're exceptionally difficult to design correctly. I'm leaning towards the latter. I don't blame people if they like that kind of sound. Some people value tone beyond imaging or any other consideration. We all have our quirks. I value exceptional imaging, smooth response, and decent but not ear-popping dynamics. Horns aren't for me. |
Horns can image as good as any other design its not a limitation of horns. But some are designed for even coverage off axis this may yield a slight reduction in image if used in a home set up but have a more even off axis response than audiophile systems tend to. In other words if your not a seated centered listener these type of horns will sound better and more real than audiophile loudspeakers. Horns can also be optimized for seated center listening even in near-field I have all 3 types in my systems at home. My near field system is a pair of community leviathans I sit about 7 feet from them in my office system. They could produce concert level SPL with ease but I love how great they sound at low levels in near field. And yes they are big but when put in corner near wall they take up same amount of usable SQFT as my fostex towers did since they required the usual audiophile placements. Also the horn just sound so much better http://usr.audioasylum.com/images/y2015/06/134978/027.jpg |
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