Horns: Why don't they image well?

I wasn't familiar with the music I was hearing so I can't really speak to colorations of dynamics. I'll request some Hooker with a Penis next time. As it was, nothing particularly offended my ear, but I could imagine how it would be possible. 

I'm not keen on believing speakers will do things that a dealer can't demonstrate. That's a BIG reason I own Focal. Every time I heard their speakers they were honest and imaged with startling depth, width, and dynamics. 

@georgehifi I asked have you heard m2/4367. Not all horns are created equal. The JBL patented waveguide used in the M2 and the 4367 is a different sort of beast from the other horns you've heard. Correct me if I'm wrong, but yeah it seems like youre saying you have not heard the m2/4367 and are lumping those horns with Klipsh.

That’s a BIG reason I own Focal. Every time I heard their speakers they were honest and imaged with startling depth, width, and dynamics.

A friend who owns a hifi shop, Len Wallis Audio had the Grand Utopia’s setup driven by Krells in the main room, I listened to them many times and yes, there is no way any horns or JBL’s (my friend had a pair of 4350’s and the very ugly Synthesis 1400), I’ve heard have come close to doing visual image placement in-between and outside the speakers and depth perception like these Focals could, or many ESL’s can either.

Cheers George

Never heard the 4367’s so I can’t comment on them. But looking at that 3" Mid/Highs driver with massive horn crossing over to a 15" at 700hz makes me curious.

Cheers George

Remember, George is just a man, with just an opinion. I respect his judgement, as I respect his knowledge. We all hear differently, and, at least us old timers, want certain attributes and specifics in our systems. I was attracted to horns, not because of imaging or sound staging, but because of their ease, their effortless, dynamic quality that allows music to flow, like live unamplified music. I certainly hear an image created, a stage being presented, music being created, without boundaries, extending beyond every and all of the walls of my speakers. However, I feel this is not the essence of music. What is the essence, is the musicianship. Take a recording like " A Tribute To Jack Johnson ", by Miles Davis ( the original release ), possibly my favorite of his vast library. Two studio sessions, one recorded on 4 / 7, the other recorded 11 / 11 of 1970, brought forth the amazing arrangements of M.D., along with five other fabulous musicians. Want to hear synchronicity at its finest, play it through a great set of horns. Either your system will, or will not, keep up. Enjoy ! MrD.