What's best in highly sensitive/efficient speakers.

[perart1]

Just a comment on Horning speakers. They really do need to be carefully matched to the room. Most are mismatched; usually the room is too small for the speaker and they need rear wall reinforcement below 200hz because of the isobarik configuration of the 8 drivers. Jeff Catalino does a pretty good job of getting the best out of them in the USA. They do not appear to be a 'popular' speaker, more a sleeper like the De Vore's and Zu's

 

[spiritofmusic]

As a Zu owner, yes, the term "sleeper" seems appropriate. I've spent my whole adult life avoiding the "obvious" brands, Zu fits my ethos perfectly. Magico, Wilson, AG, B&W, Kef, etc, they all have enough customers. They don't need anymore, incl me.

 

[Exlibris]

Never heard (of) this brand and model but compared to the Pnoe, the Concerto with AER3 driver almost looks more accessible at 28k compared to the 85k (?) for the Pnoe

That's exactly what I was thinking.

 

[KeithR]

As a Zu owner, yes, the term "sleeper" seems appropriate. I've spent my whole adult life avoiding the "obvious" brands, Zu fits my ethos perfectly. Magico, Wilson, AG, B&W, Kef, etc, they all have enough customers. They don't need anymore, incl me.

I think Zu is much better value than Horning in the states for a FRD w/ bass array type speaker. Particularly resale as well.

 

[Blue58]

Anyone familiar with the Charney Concerto speakers?

I think they could be licensed from Jim Carfrae who built the Carfrae Big Horn speaker quite a few years back originally with Lowther DX3.
http://www.audioevidence.com/carfrae_all.html

 

[christoph]

I think they could be licensed from Jim Carfrae who built the Carfrae Big Horn speaker quite a few years back originally with Lowther DX3.
http://www.audioevidence.com/carfrae_all.html

and another 10k less

 

[morricab]

I think Zu is much better value than Horning in the states for a FRD w/ bass array type speaker. Particularly resale as well.

While that may be true from a resale value, the Hornings I have heard sounded overall much better than the Zus I have heard...

 

[morricab]

I think they could be licensed from Jim Carfrae who built the Carfrae Big Horn speaker quite a few years back originally with Lowther DX3.
http://www.audioevidence.com/carfrae_all.html

Would be interesting to compare the Carfrae Big Horn to the Pnoe...with the same driver of course...

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Would be interesting to compare the Carfrae Big Horn to the Pnoe...with the same driver of course...

The General has heard the Cafrae Big Horn although it wasn’t furnished with the AER driver that the Pnoe is. I think it was decent and had a lot to offer. Maybe he will jump in with some comments.

 

[thomask]

Arion Apollo with claimed eff of 105db/W shall be seriously considered for 10W SET amp.

It could play to ear aching volume without any strain with 300B 8W Set amp.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Arion Apollo with claimed eff of 105db/W shall be seriously considered for 10W SET amp.

It could play to ear aching volume without any strain with 300B 8W Set amp.

Any images / specs?

 

[thomask]

Any images / specs?

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/what-is-your-opinion-of-line-source-speakers.27008/

http://www.arionaudio.com/products/ApplloSpeakerDataSheet.pdf

 

[KeithR]

While that may be true from a resale value, the Hornings I have heard sounded overall much better than the Zus I have heard...

iirc, you've never heard the Definition IV or the Druid V though

I did hear the Hornings several years ago and felt "meh" - but it was a show, not a home or dealer. I'm also not jazzed on mdf cabinets on a "30k" speaker

 

[perart1]

iirc, you've never heard the Definition IV or the Druid V though

I did hear the Hornings several years ago and felt "meh" - but it was a show, not a home or dealer. I'm also not jazzed on mdf cabinets on a "30k" speaker

Yes, but I have. I would take the Horning any time over the Zu's. They are too coloured for me. I am not so sure though about the De Vore 96 though

 

[morricab]

The General has heard the Cafrae Big Horn although it wasn’t furnished with the AER driver that the Pnoe is. I think it was decent and had a lot to offer. Maybe he will jump in with some comments.

Well if it’s not with the same driver then all bets are off.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Well if it’s not with the same driver then all bets are off.

Of course. But just a data point out of morbid curiosity.

 

[morricab]

iirc, you've never heard the Definition IV or the Druid V though

I did hear the Hornings several years ago and felt "meh" - but it was a show, not a home or dealer. I'm also not jazzed on mdf cabinets on a "30k" speaker

I have heard the Druid IV and another model that was one above the Druid at that time (2009) at Srajan Ebaen's home in Switzerland (he has since moved). If I had heard only this kind of high sensitivity speaker I would wonder what the fuss is all about...at least from those sessions.

 

[KeithR]

I have heard the Druid IV and another model that was one above the Druid at that time (2009) at Srajan Ebaen's home in Switzerland (he has since moved). If I had heard only this kind of high sensitivity speaker I would wonder what the fuss is all about...at least from those sessions.

the Druid IV wasn't good and quite rolled off. not at all how the newer ones sound.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Resident Zu Maven here.

Message STARTS
Ignore all Zus below Druid V and Definitions IV. Plus forget the Essence.

Zu really starts w Druid V and Definitions IV.

I mean, do the current Wilson fans rate that very first Watt/Puppy?

Message ENDS.

 

[pke10000]

I strongly recommand Devore Orangutan O/96. It is warm high-end with wide sound stage, never vintage like horns.
30w thoress amp drives it perfectly, I guess 10w would be possible.