The current interest on the forum has for the moment rekindled my interest in Horn Loudspeakers. I know it very easy to be oblivious to alternative options. In fact it was Achim who introduced me to horns with his AG models but somehow they were a little too sharp for my delicate ears.
Years ago I build a Fostex horn as marriage gift - the sound quality was run of the mill and lacked the definition I was used to. Sounded awful on a Krell KSA 50 but bearable on Mullard monoblocks.
Then a better option popped up - a compact single driver CUBE loudspeaker. I liked the design and I approached the local CT agent for a demo which sadly never happened. Major disappointment as the YouTube sound clips of the Cube Loudspeakers are very impressive. When I saw the pricing it was quick thank you and goodbye to Cube... An affordable alternative to the Cube is the horns that [member=19995]Hope[/member] build.
Then [member=14734]Phase[/member] and others started to rekindle my interest in horns. When Ingvar published his exciting design on the forum I thought maybe this is it? The idea of a single HE driver with a minimal crossover is very appealing.
Saturday I had the impromptu opportunity to visit a high end dealer in Durban Road.. and low and behold, destiny had provided me with a pair of Klipsch La Scala loudspeakers to audition !! Needless to say the host read my mind and immediately plonked me down on the couch and said "Listen". I was awestruck by their presence and top end but at R300K I want tighter bass and a better 3D image. The lower midrange was not to my liking - it lacked slam and attack I am used to at home. Somehow I suspect this is a common denominator with all the horn loudspeakers I have heard and the reason why the imaging was nearly non existent? Needless to say, the Klipsch speakers killed my horn affliction on the spot. Sorry Ingvar and others!
Next to the La Scala's were Wharfedale Linton's at R23K. What a pleasant surprise!! Solid bass, a midrange to die for and a realization that in the past I have spends thousands for the same performance level which is now available for peanuts !
Conclusion: I would love to build horn loudspeakers but up to now, none of the horn loudspeakers I have heard, have really moved me.
Hopefully more adventurous DIY builders will prove me wrong !
Years ago I build a Fostex horn as marriage gift - the sound quality was run of the mill and lacked the definition I was used to. Sounded awful on a Krell KSA 50 but bearable on Mullard monoblocks.
Then a better option popped up - a compact single driver CUBE loudspeaker. I liked the design and I approached the local CT agent for a demo which sadly never happened. Major disappointment as the YouTube sound clips of the Cube Loudspeakers are very impressive. When I saw the pricing it was quick thank you and goodbye to Cube... An affordable alternative to the Cube is the horns that [member=19995]Hope[/member] build.
Then [member=14734]Phase[/member] and others started to rekindle my interest in horns. When Ingvar published his exciting design on the forum I thought maybe this is it? The idea of a single HE driver with a minimal crossover is very appealing.
Saturday I had the impromptu opportunity to visit a high end dealer in Durban Road.. and low and behold, destiny had provided me with a pair of Klipsch La Scala loudspeakers to audition !! Needless to say the host read my mind and immediately plonked me down on the couch and said "Listen". I was awestruck by their presence and top end but at R300K I want tighter bass and a better 3D image. The lower midrange was not to my liking - it lacked slam and attack I am used to at home. Somehow I suspect this is a common denominator with all the horn loudspeakers I have heard and the reason why the imaging was nearly non existent? Needless to say, the Klipsch speakers killed my horn affliction on the spot. Sorry Ingvar and others!
Next to the La Scala's were Wharfedale Linton's at R23K. What a pleasant surprise!! Solid bass, a midrange to die for and a realization that in the past I have spends thousands for the same performance level which is now available for peanuts !
Conclusion: I would love to build horn loudspeakers but up to now, none of the horn loudspeakers I have heard, have really moved me.
Hopefully more adventurous DIY builders will prove me wrong !
