Horn based loudspeakers why the controversy?

Every speaker type, manufacturer and model has it's advantages and disadvantages, as well as it's fans and detractors.  I consider myself lucky; over the years I've been able to indulge my passion and curiosity to try all types of audio gear, including many speakers.  I like horns and I also like not-horns in the same way I like BBQ'd beef and pork.

I suspect that many audio guys are turned off by horns for one of two reasons:
1- word on the audio "street" is that horns suck, or
2- many folks are used to high power SS amplification and high SPL.  Some horns can handle and sound great with high power amps, but by nature of their design horns do not provide high SPL.  Play loud, yes.  Paint the picture of the old Maxell ad where the guy is being blown out his seat, no.  This is not a problem for me since I have never been to a concert or live music event that sounded anything like, (for example) a JBL L100.

The best horn speakers I have ever heard (owned, actually) were a pair of Earo 8 active, single point source, rear horn-loaded speakers from Sweden.  Stupidly expensive (but for the show special price) but these were the best overall speakers I have ever owned.  Not the best at everything, but the best overall.  To my ears, no other speaker has sounded as natural and organic as the Earo.

Similar, yet different is the new Rethm Bhaava speaker.  It's made in India, is of very high quality, sounds fantastic and is very affordable.  I was blown away by a recent demo.

I still own a pair of both Altec Lansing Model 14s and Bob Crites' Cornscala "D".  Both have been modded - the Altec by replacing the xover and the Cornscala by replacing the standard 15" woofer with a Faital unit and twaeking the xover.  Both speakers sound great in a small to moderate room, have wide sound dispersion, terrific imaging and no honkiness.

If you are into the classic Klipsch Heresy-type horn speaker I will advise you to look at ampsandsound.com.  Justin undersdtands horns for small rooms and makes a great speaker.  I owned a pair of custom speakers he made several years ago as prototypes.  I never should have sold them.

@johnk 
How so? The fact I've never once stumbled into a hi-fi shop selling a single horn loaded speaker after living in 4 states seems to suggest to me very few people are interested in them and they don't sell. The fact very little is written of them in forums here, elsewhere, and in the press seems to suggest not many care to read or write about them. Siegfried Linkwitz's in his talk at Burning Amp this year roundly criticized the behavior of horns, especially their dispersion failings, and eloquently explained what's not to like about them. It's not like there aren't legitimate reasons to dislike horns. It's not like there aren't highly regarded and successful engineers who dislike them. 

Kosst{ Since the horn market is a distinct minority in the larger hi-fi market} Already proved this wrong JBL klipsch are still market leaders in sales.    {I'm clearly not the only one who doesn't like them} that would be true- but this statement { MOST people don't like them} A logic error how do you know this to be true? Just because you dont like something doesn't mean most do not this may be why you get grief in forums maybe consider logic in next argument and not personal feeling biases or absolutes. Also you seem to favor focal products but do know focal claims horn loading of tweeters back-waves.  

Are you trying to tell me the hideous, honky, plastic horns JBL and Klipsch sell at Best Buy are great examples of horns and proof that horns are widely desired? Those hunks of crap crammed into Best Buy shelves in an aisle? That’s what you’re going to hang the popularity hat on??? Those things are exactly why I hate horns. The one guy I know with JBL speakers would burn them tonight for a chance to own my Focals. I love to bring over people who own that Best Buy JBL and Klipsch crap and park them in front of my 936’s. It always leaves them lusting.
Indeed I am a fan of Focal. If I didn’t think they sound excellent I wouldn’t own them. I’m familiar with the infinite horn loading technique Focal uses. It isn’t designed to focus or amplify the back wave. It’s designed to nullify it.
You seem to be under the impression that the general public is well aware of $10,000 speakers and is discriminating in their tastes. They are not. They buy sound bars for their TVs. They buy Bluetooth speakers for their bedrooms. They buy their home theater sound systems in a single box one man can lift. The vast majority of people wouldn’t spend what I’ve spent on my speakers alone for their entire entertainment system. Most people don’t know what real hi-fi actually sounds like. I’m sorry, but people scooping JBL, Pioneer, Bose, and Klipsch off the shelves of Best Buy isn’t going to inform me as to what people buying hi-fi like.