Horn based loudspeakers why the controversy?

With all loudspeaker designs you compromise. Perfection does not exist in anything so since nothings perfect,designers take these imperfect parts and make a imperfect loudspeaker. We set it up in a imperfect room play imperfect music from a imperfect source and we use our imperfect mind and ears to sort it all out. I do think people assume perfection is possible and are in a bit of denial about how crude it all really is. I find imperfection to be comforting since it allows choice learning and variation. So embrace the imperfections in your system work to get synergy make compromises that work best for you. If horns are not your thing good that hopefully means you found your thing if still searching consider giving horns a try set up  a system with craigslist cast off if you hear + maybe pursue if not you can sell and get cash back plus you learned something and that cant be bad right?

“Efficiency just isn't as important as it used to be.”

This is not my entire argument about efficiency, but as someone who is insulating his 2200 sq ft home to the point that you can heat it with a hair drier, efficiency definitely matters for reasons other than audio, such as carbon footprints. 

Do you have any idea how unhealthy insulating a space like that is? 

Energy efficiency isn't just that last consideration of mine when it comes to audio. It's not even on my map. My class A amp is the only thing I ever shut off and I let it warm for 2 hours before listening to it. 

johnk

I had my heart broken by quite a few horn loud speakers. The promise of heaven. Some of them really come out and grab you, then you are left alone with that hollow feeling wondering what the h$%^ you were thinking. Oh well

soundsrealaudio

that goes to say with NUMEROUS speaker designs and audio related gear in general.

Speakers alone are very personal and subjective, once you find one promising you then need to match with associated gear including cables, not just anything!  - lets not forget your room which is also very important along with power source - so many factors come into play. Put a nice speaker and associated gear into a crappy room, it will sound crappy for example.

I have experienced over the years listening to allot of owners systems that personal flavor has allot of similarities to comparing too food taste - some like it boring - mild - hot and suicide hot!  I respect all and can except and appreciate and why it's so personal. 

I don't understand nonsense posts which comes across as only trolling as you have done in several postings, you being in the business you should have knowledge and be experienced enough to know such, to me only demonstrates your lack of credibility. Also it' absolutely laughable when I read individuals making up their mind, relying on such or trying to influence others upon listening at shows and saying it's this or that like you did with your ridiculous posting that you deleted - come on give me a break, so full of bs!

You have to live with what ever it is - speakers being the worse due to break-in time. Drivers not properly integrating for example - I can go on 
  
I recently got rid of a pair of expensive Wilson Benesch speakers (G E O M E T R Y   S E R I E S), without mentioning the actual model. I found I initially liked this and that (others came over to listen but only once they had allot of hours on them and I did not hear sonic changes) because the sound was new to me but I also found areas that I did not enjoy to the point of not listening as much as I would normally. You won't read anywhere me bashing them because I know it's subjective and personal. Put back in a pair Avantgarde XD series horn speakers not mentioning model but recall saying to myself yes this is what it's prefer, others whom had already heard also confirmed the horns were their preference too and they do not personally own this type of design.  So who is right or wrong? No one, pick your poison and build around them.  

Audio in general can be a never ending journey chasing your tail sorta speaking but as long as you are listening to music in the end that's what it's all about.
So enjoy!