Graham, have you got a good experience of listening to a wide variety of horns? I ask because my ongoing experience w Barry's Duos is fascinating, but due to limited chances to hear many other horns, I might struggle to have a reference point when listening to something like these PAP Horns 1.
My experience of horns... hmmmm, it started for me at 8 when I would visit my uncle when he played in a jazz big band. The extraordinary blaaaart of a full brass section of horns is burnt forever in to my memory and informs my appreciation of horn speakers. Frightening exciting limitless dynamics and apparent speed and that tone!
My experience of domestic horn speakers came as one of my more recent addictions... crack/horns/coffee, so many choices so little time lol.
My experience of Avantgarde is unfortunately limited to show exposure. Plus some odd assorted diy horns over the years.
I am zero experienced (but still strangely part addicted) to the idea of the lovely Silvercores that Ked reported on just because of the sexiness of those seductive and curvaceous Auotech Iwatas alone (the lingering part of me as a 60’s modernist) and as Austin Powers would likely say while stroking those white fibreglass beauteous horns... they aaaare groovy baby, (ohhhh behaaaave Austin)!!!
So my greatest experience of horns is with the Tune Animas having had them on loan at home for a few months and also then having listened to them regularly for a year or two over many many many hours (both sober and intoxicated) at a close mate’s place.
I also lived with the Tune Primes for several months as well in a time when I also had on loan DeVore 0/96s Harbeth 40.2, Slh5+, 30.1, as well as my resident and ever faithful Maggies 20.7s to compare.
More recently also the Oswald Mill OMA minis have been a very regular gig for my listening pleasure... good mate has completely awesome taste in speakers and makes the best coffee in town!!!
But as Ked so very rightly pointed out horns are amongst the most personal and individual beasties so how much reference I will be able to supply might be of limited help Marc. But when I’ve got my head around these speakers I’ll have a go. My references will be my 40.2s and my 20.7s. Will be interesting as these Pap horns are arresting! and they are already showing hints they can also do what both the Animas and the OMAs do so extraordinarily well... just make me stop thinking about the sound.