What comes first: listening chair placement or speaker placement?

[PeterA]

I looked up your speaker but did not notice the technical drawing was using the wall as a cabinet enclosure.

Rex, the corner walls of the room are not used as a cabinet enclosure. They function as the extension of the folded bass horn. I suppose it’s a technical semantic question, but I don’t think of the flare of a horn as a speaker enclosure. The result is a very large folded bass horn utilizing the room boundary. This increases low frequency extension.

Experiencing the actual presentation of such speakers, I find to be much more valuable than simple descriptions. Also, actually seeing how my cabinet has an open back and the JBL has a closed back, illustrates the differences. I think there’s a photograph of my speaker from the side in the first couple pages of my thread showing clearly the open back structure.

I did see where you say you pulled them out at Daves. Just does not make sense they create a deep soundstage when in a corner. But you say they do, so I accept that.

The information has to be on the recording. For instance, on the Holst Savitri recording, death enters the stage from the back, and you can clearly hear him moving forward in the stage as he sings and comes closer. He starts out way behind the front wall in the presentation. Same with well recorded tympani in the back of the stage.

Getting out to see a well setup horn system in a non dealer location is fun. I know of 2 at the moment. I like them.both. But I also like what my system does. Since Christmas, my listening has been about 15% classical and about 2% jazz. The whole, your stereo needs to sound like live, unamplified instruments has no relevance to me. Not at the moment. But I am interested in sorting complex music where you hear all the parts and pieces. As well as good layering. Probably most important is not strident with speed and attack with balanced articulate bass.

I have always had an interest in horns. I like a lot of what I have heard. But I have yet to hear a horn that when blindfolded, you wouldn't say, thats a horn. And I have not seen an entry level priced horn that moves me at all.

I understand that. One must seek out good examples with low distortion. I heard four different designs at DDK’s. You can also get a hint by listening to tima’s videos and some of Bonzo’s. With closed eyes, I don’t hear those systems identifiable as horns per se. I just hear the music well presented through YouTube.

 

[Kingrex]

This is one I have heard and like. And I could afford. I wish I knew more on how the bass cabinet is constructed. I know where to get the multicell. The tweeter may need to be a more affordable version.

I would probably ask Ampexed on how to make the signal level crossover and triamp it.

 

[Kingrex]

This is a setup you know is a horn. But its good. Not sure every day, all day. It may be a headache of constant attempting to dial it in. The owner spent years on the crossover. Not sure if he's ultimately happy now or not. His last attempt was using about $2000 in Deulund caps.

 

[Salectric]

This is one I have heard and like. And I could afford. I wish I knew more on how the bass cabinet is constructed. I know where to get the multicell. The tweeter may need to be a more affordable version.

I would probably ask Ampexed on how to make the signal level crossover and triamp it.

The woofer cabinets appear to be an Onken Ultraflex or a variation of it, perhaps with an Altec 416. There are plans available online.

 

[Kingrex]

The DIY Audio crowd don't like the front port. Something about comb filter issues. I don't know what that is. They like the side port using the walls as boundaries. Like Peters. But those have limitations also.

With a side port, corner setup, I doubt you setting your chair first!!