Hornsolutions Horn Loudspeakers

[Hear Here]

I, personally, I have never heard a horn loudspeaker on which I preferred a solid-state amplifier over a tube amplifier.

I switched very satisfactorily from tube amps to solid state for my own horns. I auditioned at home (for at least a week and up to many months) a dozen ss amps of Class A, AB and D. I am very happy with my end choice and won't be returning to tubes despite their seductive points.

I don't have any background noise, nor do I have to replace or re-bias the tubes, my electricity bill is significantly reduced and I don't need to run AC to counter the heat generated by those lovely-looking glowing lamps. Daft really in the 21st century to be using these quaint amps when there's as good or better sound available from well-chosen solid state.

 

[Hear Here]

It has one channel of amplification for each horn and is 3 Watts per channel, pure class A, single ended (one output transistor), with no negative feedback

I should correct you here. According to Avantgarde, their horn amps within iTron are 100 watts per driver, not 3 watts.

Also, and I'm sure you accept this, demonstrating horn speakers at shows is an almost impossible job. In the home, they will be set up for ultimate sound quality and second-to-none imaging for the listener at a single listening position.

If this setup is mimicked at an audio show, only one listener would appreciate the potential of these speakers. For a bigger audience, the speakers need to be set up as a compromise, whereby everyone hears "good" sound, but no one hears the "great" sound they would if the speakers were in their own listening room.

 

[Synaxis]

With respect you are taking rubbish.

If you were to buy Dutch & Dutch, or a KEF active of a Kii one, your statement would be true - but not with Avantagrde.

As explained in simple terms to you at least twice, the AG buyer can go for the passive version and use whatever amp he thinks will sound great - valve or solid state. If the buyer wants the active iTron version, he has no need to purchase separate amplifiers and the XO is done actively within the iTron.

I don't know who you get contrary information from, but the few reviews of the G3 series that I've read (I don't pander to Youtube or other tittle-tattle) have been very positive of the iTron versions.

I should however correct the previous contributor, the iTron amps deliver up to 100 watts to each of the horn drivers in the G3 series

I hope you can now accept the facts about this new AG series.

Ah yes - you've read "reviews" that support your beliefs and your purchasing decisions. Wow - it must be true then! LOL How DARE someone not like what you own - especially your Class D NAD amps that you continually state are the best you've ever heard (that says a lot).

I get my information from several international distributors and dealers. Some current dealers, and some of the largest AG dealers there ever were.

I accept the fact that I am at a point in my life where there is nothing I care LESS ABOUT than what you think, where you get your "info", or what you think is fact.

I do appreciate your entertainment value though. You are free to believe what you want. It's all in your own head anyway.

 

[Hear Here]

Ah yes - you've read "reviews" that support your beliefs and your purchasing decisions. Wow - it must be true then! LOL How DARE someone not like what you own - especially your Class D NAD amps that you continually state are the best you've ever heard (that says a lot).

I get my information from several international distributors and dealers. Some current dealers, and some of the largest AG dealers there ever were.

I accept the fact that I am at a point in my life where there is nothing I care LESS ABOUT than what you think, where you get your "info", or what you think is fact.

I do appreciate your entertainment value though. You are free to believe what you want. It's all in your own head anyway.

Thanks you for your condescending opinion, but you should really apologies to sbnx as he correctly stated that the G3 Series can be used with whatever amp you wish - even a NAD if that floats your boat - and you are NOT restricted to the amplification included in the iTron version.

Your apology will, I'm sure be gracefully accepted.

 

[Synaxis]

but you should really apologies to sbnx as he correctly stated that the G3 Series can be used with whatever amp you wish

I never said otherwise. You just ASSumed that is what I said.

I said it before and I'll say it again - to spend that kind of money on horns and to be forced into using their amplification - WHICH IS WHAT THEY WERE DISPLAYING at the show and is WHAT YOU GET when you get the active version (and it sounded thin and sterile), makes no sense to me.

At no point did I say they did not make a passive version. This is not complicated to understand for most people.

If that statement triggers people, that is on them.

Here is my apology: I'm sorry that in true typical forum-mentality you've decided to make a fake issue because you need some excitement in your life.

 

[sbnx]

Hello everyone,

Can we please move on from this discussion. It has nothing to do with the OP's product. If anyone wants to discuss something to do with iTron or the use of tube amps with Avantgarde we can open a new thread.

 

[Synaxis]

Hello everyone,

Can we please move on from this discussion. It has nothing to do with the OP's product. If anyone wants to discuss something to do with iTron or the use of tube amps with Avantgarde we can open a new thread.

Respectfully you derailed it when you mis-read my post claiming I said something I didn't.

 

[worldwide]

Hi Everyone,

I would like to jump in and share my opinion as the North American importer for HornSolutions. But first, I'd like to provide a bit of background so you can understand my perspective.

I started Worldwide Wholesales as an import and export audio company approximately 20 years ago. I sold off several other companies to focus fully on Worldwide Wholesales. I have always been passionate about different and rare audio equipment and have personally owned over 500 different pairs of speakers, over 100 different DACs, over 100 different preamps, over 100 different amplifiers, and also over 500 different cable models. I truly enjoy conducting direct A/B testing and hearing the end results.

I’ve had several different reference rooms, and while I don’t go overboard in building a room, my current reference listening room features five layers of drywall with acoustic glue in between each layer. I have upgraded receptacles and dedicated 20-amp lines, and of course, there is acoustic paneling in the appropriate locations.

In my opinion, we are striving to achieve as close as possible to the ambiance and sound of the original recording in the studio. I believe that when I can hear the air in the room from the original recording—depending on where it was recorded—and the little nuances, I’m reaching a truly enjoyable level of entertainment.

Returning to this discussion, I think that speaker preference is highly personal, and dismissing someone else's preference is a significant mistake. Personally, I prefer the design of a 100% real horn speaker: it’s just my preference. I thought the Masterpiece series from HornSolutions was absolute genius and incredibly dynamic when I first heard the brand. The challenge is figuring out how to fit these massive speakers into the average home without risking a divorce. After two years of discussions with Swen, HornSolutions developed the Masterpiece Mini Series. I have had the prototype in my listening room for the past five months. It’s still a large speaker, measuring 42 inches wide by 61 inches high, but I can honestly say I’ve never heard anything like it in terms of dynamics, micro-detail, imaging, and sheer musical enjoyment. I’ve tried a multitude of different amplifiers, and the results have been stunning.

Take Mary Stallings’ “Sunday Kind of Love,” for example. Approximately halfway through the song, there is a piano on the left-hand side. When you listen to that piano through the Masterpiece Mini, it sounds like it’s 6 feet wide. It doesn’t just sound like a piano; it feels as though the piano is right in your listening room, creating an expansive 6-foot-wide soundstage.

Similarly, when I listened to Dominique Fils-Aimé’s "Nameless" album, particularly the song “Birds,” there is a panning from left to right that has an incredible amount of decay that I had heard, before but not to the level that the Masterpiece Mini's can convey. I’ve heard that song many times at various shows and in my personal reference room literally over 100 times. However, I didn’t realize there was so much more to that recording until I listened to it through the Masterpiece Mini Series.

Regarding passive versus fully electronic systems, I would advise caution before making a judgment until you’ve actually sat in front of a set of speakers and listened to them both ways. I don’t believe there is a right or wrong choice. A fully electronic system allows for custom adjustments based on your room. The HornSolutions passive crossover also allows for some adjustments but not to the level of an electronic crossover.

Last thing I would like to say always remember why you first engaged in this hobby and just enjoy the music.

Cheers,
Robert Neill
President
Worldwide Wholesales
519-619-9924
www.worldwidewholesales.com
www.wellfloat-global.com
www.akikoaudio.com/en
www.hornsolutions.de
www.aries-cerat.com
www.in-akustik.de/en
www.arya-audio.com
www.pinkfaun.com
www.brodmann.at

 

[caesar]

In my PERSONAL opinion - buying a horn speaker that sensitive only to be forced into using their electronics rather than the tube magic of your choice defeats the purpose of them.

I know that is why some of the largest AG dealers dropped them along with the doubling of their prices.

I agree with you taste- wise, Avantgardes sound better to me with tubes. At last Axpona, they played their Duo Mezzo speaker with Phasemation, instead of the itron, and it was substantially better.

 

[caesar]

Hello friends, this is Swen from Hornsolutions.



As Ron already mentioned, Bob is our distributor for Hornsolutions in the USA and Canada. To ensure everything is understood correctly and moving in the right direction, I’d like to clarify a few things.



The system we’re discussing here, as well as the new Masterpiece Mini Edition—which will have its world premiere in the USA this June—is, of course, also available in a passive version. One System of the Masterpiece Series passive Version is already in California. See the picture attached.

The passive version of this horn speaker system includes a separate 3-way crossover, structured as follows.
Description of “The Network” Crossover

The Hornsolutions passive crossovers feature slopes of 12 to 24 dB per octave, ensuring optimal separation between frequency ranges. To fine-tune the sound to your preferences, you can adjust the levels of the most efficient horns—the midrange and tweeter—using the supplied resistors in precise 0.5 dB increments. Additionally, hornsolutions offers the option to integrate up to three different crossover frequencies per transition, giving you unmatched flexibility for your listening environment.

Each crossover is meticulously hand-wired, embodying the highest level of craftsmanship. With a resistance of less than 0.1 ohms, our crossovers ensure near-lossless signal transmission, delivering a sonic experience that’s second to none.

Hornsolutions use only the finest components:

• Handmade Air coils with 3 square millimeters

• Hand-selected resistors

• Mundorf and Clarity gold oil capacitors



All of these components are carefully chosen for their superior audio fidelity.

Premium Materials & Design

The crossover enclosures are available in elegant aluminum or wood finishes with a glass top, all handcrafted in Germany. Each unit blends precision engineering with aesthetic appeal, making it not just a technical marvel but also a visual statement. Additionally, each of these crossovers comes with an extremely sophisticated and integrated grounding function that can be switched on and off.

Specifications – “The Network”

• Double mono design for maximum channel separation and an incredibly immersive sound experience

• Standard crossover frequencies:130 Hz, 1400 Hz


- Dimensions:

- Width: 22.84 inches

- Depth: 46.46 inches

- Height: 10.24 inches

- Weight: 260.14 pounds


Thanks to its uncompromising design, the loss factor is below 0.1 ohms.

Attached are some images of the crossover.


As a result, every user can drive these speakers with their own amplifiers. 0.3 watts of output power is more than sufficient in this setup.

Best Regards Swen

Dear Sir,
thank you for this. For those of us not technically inclined, how is your speaker different than other top horns in the world, such as Cessaro and Avantgarde?

As a consumer, I am really confused by the different modules and slopes you bring up.... Who will be integrating the different modules? I am sure the serious horn guys understand what you are talking about, but I would bet 90 percent of the people have no idea what you are talkking about. Are your prospects that target market?

And who will be doing the adjusting and installing, as all of this sounds very complex and not consumer friendly?

So, in essence, what are the consumer benefits of the design, per my bolded font above?

Thank you

 

[Argonaut]

The challenge is figuring out how to fit these massive speakers into the average home without risking a divorce. After two years of discussions with Swen, HornSolutions developed the Masterpiece Mini Series. I have had the prototype in my listening room for the past five months. It’s still a large speaker, measuring 42 inches wide by 61 inches high, but I can honestly say I’ve never heard anything like it in terms of dynamics, micro-detail, imaging, and sheer musical enjoyment. I’ve tried a multitude of different amplifiers, and the results have been stunning.

Most interesting , designers of fully horn loaded transducer systems being hostage to the physics where horn construction is concerned … might you be allowed to post any images of the mini’s ? particularly illustrating how their proportions work within a room , altho I fully expect that you are under an OPOD NDA from HornSolutions

 

[Hornsolutions Swen]

Dear Sir,
thank you for this. For those of us not technically inclined, how is your speaker different than other top horns in the world, such as Cessaro and Avantgarde?

As a consumer, I am really confused by the different modules and slopes you bring up.... Who will be integrating the different modules? I am sure the serious horn guys understand what you are talking about, but I would bet 90 percent of the people have no idea what you are talkking about. Are your prospects that target market?

And who will be doing the adjusting and installing, as all of this sounds very complex and not consumer friendly?

So, in essence, what are the consumer benefits of the design, per my bolded font above?

Thank you

Hello Caesar.
First of all, thank you for your interest. Before I answer your question, I have a question of my own to clarify. What do you mean by "modules"? Unfortunately, I don't understand that term.

Are you referring to our website, where we mention that HornSolutions offers modular systems?

Best regards,
Swen

 

[Hornsolutions Swen]

Most interesting , designers of fully horn loaded transducer systems being hostage to the physics where horn construction is concerned … might you be allowed to post any images of the mini’s ? particularly illustrating how their proportions work within a room , altho I fully expect that you are under an OPOD NDA from HornSolutions

Hello Argonaut,

You're absolutely right! Manufacturers of horn loudspeakers must always bow to the laws of physics. For instance, a bass horn designed as an exponential horn would require an exit area of approximately 98x98 inches to reach 20Hz with a 15" bass driver, and it would be around 314 inches long! So, the design of the Octahorn is already a compromise. Nevertheless, it boasts an impressive 118 inches length, making it the longest commercially produced bass horn in the world.
The Masterpiece Series is thus virtually free of compromises. And if the customer doesn't want to make any compromises at all and the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) is not an issue, then the Masterpiece Series is also available with a double Octahorn. Here are the specifications:

- Low cut-off frequency: 23 Hz (-3 dB at 20 Hz)
- Dimensions: Height 79 inches, Width 63 inches, Depth 59 inches
- Horn length: 118 inches
- Directivity: approximately 38%
- Usable low-frequency limit: 23 Hz
- Recommended crossover frequency: 250 Hz
- Weight: 1,496 pounds per unit
Now, regarding your question about the Masterpiece mini Edition, here are the dimensions:

- The top section, housing the mid-bass horn, measures 41.7 inches in width.
- The bass section below is adapted to the spiral shape of the mid-bass horn, with a width of 41.7 inches at the top and 27.9 inches at the bottom.
- The entire structure tapers towards the back, resulting in a width of approximately 23.6 inches at the rear.
- The depth measures 43.3 inches at the top and 32.7 inches at the bottom.

Please bear with me, as the dimensions can be a bit tricky to explain due to the smooth, curved design. Despite its compact size, the bass enclosure still boasts an impressive 480-liter volume. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to share pictures just yet due to legal reasons. The efficiency is expected to be around 107-108 dB, and each speaker will weigh approximately 440 pounds. Thank you for your interest, and I hope this information helps!

 

[Synaxis]

Hello Argonaut,

You're absolutely right! Manufacturers of horn loudspeakers must always bow to the laws of physics. For instance, a bass horn designed as an exponential horn would require an exit area of approximately 98x98 inches to reach 20Hz with a 15" bass driver, and it would be around 314 inches long! So, the design of the Octahorn is already a compromise. Nevertheless, it boasts an impressive 118 inches length, making it the longest commercially produced bass horn in the world.
The Masterpiece Series is thus virtually free of compromises. And if the customer doesn't want to make any compromises at all and the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor) is not an issue, then the Masterpiece Series is also available with a double Octahorn. Here are the specifications:

- Low cut-off frequency: 23 Hz (-3 dB at 20 Hz)
- Dimensions: Height 79 inches, Width 63 inches, Depth 59 inches
- Horn length: 118 inches
- Directivity: approximately 38%
- Usable low-frequency limit: 23 Hz
- Recommended crossover frequency: 250 Hz
- Weight: 1,496 pounds per unit
Now, regarding your question about the Masterpiece mini Edition, here are the dimensions:

- The top section, housing the mid-bass horn, measures 41.7 inches in width.
- The bass section below is adapted to the spiral shape of the mid-bass horn, with a width of 41.7 inches at the top and 27.9 inches at the bottom.
- The entire structure tapers towards the back, resulting in a width of approximately 23.6 inches at the rear.
- The depth measures 43.3 inches at the top and 32.7 inches at the bottom.

Please bear with me, as the dimensions can be a bit tricky to explain due to the smooth, curved design. Despite its compact size, the bass enclosure still boasts an impressive 480-liter volume. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to share pictures just yet due to legal reasons. The efficiency is expected to be around 107-108 dB, and each speaker will weigh approximately 440 pounds. Thank you for your interest, and I hope this information helps!

I'm really excited - as a low powered tube amp lover - that there are more horn speakers entering the market!

 

[caesar]

Hello Caesar.
First of all, thank you for your interest. Before I answer your question, I have a question of my own to clarify. What do you mean by "modules"? Unfortunately, I don't understand that term.

Are you referring to our website, where we mention that HornSolutions offers modular systems?

Best regards,
Swen

Hello Swen,

Yes, I believe the website mentions a modular design, and I cannot correlate your post to what is on the website. There is also a mention somewhere of different horns that need to be integrated - Western Electric and Elysia's. In all, it's very confusing.

Take Avantgarde as an example, which has just two decision points for the consumer: First, one just has to determine if they want to get their solid state amp or use their favorite amp. Second, they need to determine how many bass horns to purchase. Much simpler!

With your product, one gets lost very quickly. So I was hoping to get some clarity, as when I see big horns, I get excited.

Regardless, wishing you the best of luck.

P.S. I hope you can demo these at Axpona

 

[Hornsolutions Swen]

Hello Swen,

Yes, I believe the website mentions a modular design, and I cannot correlate your post to what is on the website. There is also a mention somewhere of different horns that need to be integrated - Western Electric and Elysia's. In all, it's very confusing.

Take Avantgarde as an example, which has just two decision points for the consumer: First, one just has to determine if they want to get their solid state amp or use their favorite amp. Second, they need to determine how many bass horns to purchase. Much simpler!

With your product, one gets lost very quickly. So I was hoping to get some clarity, as when I see big horns, I get excited.

Regardless, wishing you the best of luck.

P.S. I hope you can demo these at Axpona

Hello Caesar,

I'd be happy to clarify things for you. Hornsolutions has taken a completely different approach from many other speaker manufacturers..

To implement this, we work exclusively with selected partners, importers and stores who have in-depth knowledge or are willing to learn through our collaboration.

To make things easier for our store network, we offer a personalized and direct service to any end-user of Hornsolutions. This includes consultation via email, phone, or video call. In these conversations, we don't just support our horn loudspeaker system but also convey a basic understanding of real horn speaker design, including the related physics and their impact on rooms, horn functions, horn geometry, concentric arrangements, phase correction, and more. We really want our clients to understand the full process and development of Hornsolutions.

Now, about our modular design: it's not applicable to all our products, but rather means that customers can choose, for example, to pair our WE66A midrange horn with not just one or two, but three or four different bass horns. This depends on the customer's available space and budget.

The name Hornsolutions is composed of "horn" and "solutions," and that's no coincidence. We wanted to develop a concept that would allow every customer, regardless of room size, to integrate horns into their space. Please believe me when I say that not every horn loudspeaker fits every room. That's why we have our Masterpiece Series and the new Masterpiece Mini Series (not yet on our website, as it will be introduced in about two months). These two speakers series come with only two options: either passive, with an analog crossover, or fully active with DSP or active crossover. For these two series, there is no modular design.

I hope this answer your questions has brought some clarity. Best regards, Swen

 

[matthias]

@Hornsolutions Swen
Will you be exhibitor at High End or Hifideluxe Munich in May?

 

[Hornsolutions Swen]

@Hornsolutions Swen
Will you be exhibitor at High End or Hifideluxe Munich in May?

Hello Matthias,

No, we won’t be exhibiting in Munich this time. We’ve just moved to France and have far too much on our plate right now. Hornsolutions will, of course, continue production in Germany and Austria, but even a personal move is quite stressful.

On top of that, we’re opening a second showroom here in France, which we plan to have ready by the end of the year. We’re also in the final development phase for the Mini Edition and a new version of the 666 driver with even deeper performance. That leaves no time for shows at the moment.

I expect things will be different next year, but even then, we’ll have to see if we can secure a suitable venue. As for shows in the U.S., Robert might have something to share on that later.

Best regards,
Swen

 

[caesar]

Hello Caesar,

I'd be happy to clarify things for you. Hornsolutions has taken a completely different approach from many other speaker manufacturers..

To implement this, we work exclusively with selected partners, importers and stores who have in-depth knowledge or are willing to learn through our collaboration.

To make things easier for our store network, we offer a personalized and direct service to any end-user of Hornsolutions. This includes consultation via email, phone, or video call. In these conversations, we don't just support our horn loudspeaker system but also convey a basic understanding of real horn speaker design, including the related physics and their impact on rooms, horn functions, horn geometry, concentric arrangements, phase correction, and more. We really want our clients to understand the full process and development of Hornsolutions.

Now, about our modular design: it's not applicable to all our products, but rather means that customers can choose, for example, to pair our WE66A midrange horn with not just one or two, but three or four different bass horns. This depends on the customer's available space and budget.

The name Hornsolutions is composed of "horn" and "solutions," and that's no coincidence. We wanted to develop a concept that would allow every customer, regardless of room size, to integrate horns into their space. Please believe me when I say that not every horn loudspeaker fits every room. That's why we have our Masterpiece Series and the new Masterpiece Mini Series (not yet on our website, as it will be introduced in about two months). These two speakers series come with only two options: either passive, with an analog crossover, or fully active with DSP or active crossover. For these two series, there is no modular design.

I hope this answer your questions has brought some clarity. Best regards, Swen

Thank you. Are you also able to address the bolded points in the post above?

Thanks and good luck in your venture!

 

[worldwide]

Hi Everyone,

We are definitely hoping to be showing new Masterpiece Mini Series at Axpona in 2026. The problem is that we would not want to demo the speakers in a small hotel room and it is extremely difficult to get a decent size room at Axpona. Also the walls are very thin in a hotel and the acoustics are sad to bad LOL. I always say that when you listen to a system in a hotel room, take it with a grain of salt. You're certainly not listening to that equipment or that system in its optimum situation. I have great respect for all exhibitors at audio shows. It takes a huge amount of tenacity, time and experience to set up a system that is remotely musical at any of the shows. But we will certainly give it our best effort and see if Mark Freed from Axpona can find us an appropriate size room.

Stay tuned and within the next few weeks we should have some nice pictures of the Masterpiece Mini Series.
Cheers, Robert Neill