What are the Top Horn Speakers in the World Today? Vox Olympian vs Avantgarde Trio vs ???

[abeidrov]

Just to clarify, these are videos the billionaire I mentioned with AER and Maxxonic, not Murat. This guy’s videos were clean sounding but I think he is using DRC based on video. I preferred Murat’s more. This is based on videos only no further insight.

Do you mean that the person who recorded the video used some sort of digital correction?

 

[bonzo75]

Do you mean that the person who recorded the video used some sort of digital correction?

no the owner. Can’t be sure. Maybe for the time delay to the woofers. His sound is very clean, but not emotional, in the videos, which I find with DRC, so just a guess

 

[PeterA]

Just to clarify, these are videos the billionaire I mentioned with AER and Maxxonic, not Murat. This guy’s videos were clean sounding but I think he is using DRC based on video. I preferred Murat’s more. This is based on videos only no further insight.

Thank you Bonzo. I enjoyed this video and skipped along to the music. Some observations:

1. At 9:00, St James Infirmary, lots of information and very clean but I find it a bit dry sounding. Highs are pretty prominent, but sounds good and not the recording I am used to, so fascinating version.

2. At 28:00, guitar, "Tin Pan Alley?" Don't know this recording but again very clean but dry.

3. At 37:00 and then another at 39:00, Switch to vinyl on Kuzma. I think this sounds really good. Less dry and sterile sounding, perhaps less clean? but so what, this sounds more like music to me with atmosphere and soul, more of a whole sound of band with sounds interacting/overlapping in a space. "Georgia on my Mind", really nice sounding.

I appreciate hearing tape versus vinyl on one person's system video. This is rare and the differences, to me at least, are pretty easy to hear. I liked both, but in this case, the vinyl sounded a bit more right.

 

[abeidrov]

Another video of the system recorded in 2018, with Maxxonic woofers. Probably less dry sounding.

.
Definitely less dry, I much prefer this video to the previous one. But still sounding very clean.

 

[Bjorn]

Perhaps the title of the thread should be: “what are the top horn speakers made today and how do they compare to the top horn speakers made in the past?”

Generally I believe one can say that while modern simulation software, today's knowledge and driver quality have improved, size matters greatly when it comes to horn speakers. And many of the old horns have the advantage for increased size. The very best is achieved when both are combined.

 

[bonzo75]

Generally I believe one can say that while modern simulation software, today's knowledge and driver quality have improved, size matters greatly when it comes to horn speakers. And many of the old horns have the advantage for increased size. The very best is achieved when both are combined.

i assume you are using Radian with the Be diaphragm

 

[Bjorn]

i assume you are using Radian with the Be diaphragm

That is correct. Radian 951BePB.

 

[morricab]

That is correct. Radian 951BePB.

Just for curiosity, what other drivers did you try out in this design before showing with the Radian?

 

[Bjorn]

Just for curiosity, what other drivers did you try out in this design before showing with the Radian?

Various JBL drivers with different diaphragms and tested a horn with 2" exit with the Celestion Axi2050.

 

[morricab]

Various JBL drivers with different diaphragms and tested a horn with 2" exit with the Celestion Axi2050.

You are crossing at 500Hz?

 

[Bjorn]

You are crossing at 500Hz?

At 600 Hz at the moment, but final adjustments aren't complete. A steeper crossover could perhaps lower it some.

 

[Phantom-Audio]

In my present experience, the best horn that I have had the opportunity to hear is the Aries Cerat Contendo 2. Its immense bass horn is expertly integrated with the large mid-range bass and mid-range horn, resulting in a seamless and commanding performance of great refinement and power. It is truly a wizard in its ability to perform magical acts before your very eyes. If it were within my means, I would acquire it immediately.

However, due to its size and cost, it remains out of my reach for the time being, or perhaps indefinitely. Other horns that I have also enjoyed include various Western Electric, Altecs, and Classic Audio Field Coils.

 

[G T Audio]

If we are talking about full range horns, then any "Top Horn Speaker" made today would have to have a bass horn to handle the bass below 100Hz, preferably a forward firing one, and one that goes down to at least 30Hz @ -3dB, or 20Hz @ -3dB would be even better. One would have to consider a Cessaro horn as they will custom make you a horn system including a bass horn to fit in and match your room, plus they use the very best drivers, parts and materials.

Having said the above, a really clever design would be a Horn speaker that gives 80% to 90% of the top models but at a really affordable price. For that I would give the prize to the Klipsch Cornwall IV, but in the context of this thread the Cornwall IV can be ruled out...

 

[Argonaut]

Keeping strictly Klipsch it would be :

Klipsch LA SCALA LA5 Heritage over the Cornwall​

 

[Al M.]

Keeping strictly Klipsch it would be :

Klipsch LA SCALA LA5 Heritage​

Why do I often hear videos on WBF with a bleached out midrange and a tilt towards upper mids/treble? Sure, the room may not be optimal either, but c'mon.

Here's the original for comparison:

I really don't see how the above video makes a case for the Klipsch speaker.

 

[Argonaut]

Why do I often hear videos on WBF with a bleached out midrange and a tilt towards upper mids/treble? Sure, the room may not be optimal either, but c'mon.

Here's the original for comparison:

I really don't see how the above video makes a case for the Klipsch speaker.

Merely an iphone recording over an mp3 format illustration rather than a tour de force rendition No ?

 

[Willgolf]

In my present experience, the best horn that I have had the opportunity to hear is the Aries Cerat Contendo 2. Its immense bass horn is expertly integrated with the large mid-range bass and mid-range horn, resulting in a seamless and commanding performance of great refinement and power. It is truly a wizard in its ability to perform magical acts before your very eyes. If it were within my means, I would acquire it immediately.

However, due to its size and cost, it remains out of my reach for the time being, or perhaps indefinitely. Other horns that I have also enjoyed include various Western Electric, Altecs, and Classic Audio Field Coils.

The Contendo's were just slightly out of my price range...LOL. But I did just order the Aries Cerat Aurora Horns Speakers.

 

[morricab]

The Contendo's were just slightly out of my price range...LOL. But I did just order the Aries Cerat Aurora Horns Speakers.

Wow congrats!! Amazing speakers

 

[Skanda]

It took me a while to get all the cables etc, but just yesterday I set up Diesis Roma SE in my new space with 2x Perlisten D212s subs - quite happy with this combo. I will need time to get everything dialed in but so far the Diesis are bringing the horn magic I heard at Rhapsody in Fort Greene

 

[gleeds]

For my money, the Destination Audio Vistas in either standard trim or the field coil option, are well priced and simply unbeatable. I have heard the standard version powered by their GM70 integrated and it was all there! I imagine the Vista's with the field coil option and powered by Destination or Thomas Mayer 45 amplifiers are outer-worldly.

Willgolf, I have not experienced the Aries Cerat horns but hope to in May at the Munich show. Congratulations on your new speakers - enjoy them in good health.