I have finally found a single-driver / wideband system that can do it all, with no compromises (at least from my perspective).
The build consists of Azurahorn 160 front-loaded horns, mated with used FE206E's sitting atop Klipschorn bass horn clones (Speakerlab K's). I'm using a Sur Audio active crossover at 240Hz, 12db/octave. LeCleac'h + Klipschorn = Le Kleachorn.
The sound is detailed, smooth and rich. There is no "horn coloration" when properly crossed, and they do not blare -- on the contrary, the sound just floats out of them. Yet you can hear an uncanny, almost bizarre amount of detail out of them, and they are indeed holographic and sound similar to electro-statics. They are so efficient that the power meter on my 2A3 never even registers.
The Azurahorns are also constant directivity and they really don't beam except perhaps a tad at the highest frequencies (to my ears). Off-axis is just a shade less bright and it's almost as if there's no sweet spot -- it's all sweet.
The only downside is bass: room modes are not yet treated. So I just turn the volume down a bit and they still sound fantastic. In fact they really shine at low and moderate volumes, and don't need to be cranked in order to "sing."
Many thanks to Mssr. Jmmlc in Paris, France (for the beautiful flare), Mr. Martin Seddon of Azurahorn, and of course ultimate horn fanatic and mentor, Mssr. Serenechaos. And many thanks to GM, who said years ago (mis-quoting him) that the best way to listen to single-driver is horn-loaded, supported with a woofer. How right you are, and if only I could have understood at the time
One last thought: if you are a fellow newb (who can't build a proper crossover), just bite the bullet and get an active crossover. It opens up all sorts of possibilities. Life is short, so just get going!
The build consists of Azurahorn 160 front-loaded horns, mated with used FE206E's sitting atop Klipschorn bass horn clones (Speakerlab K's). I'm using a Sur Audio active crossover at 240Hz, 12db/octave. LeCleac'h + Klipschorn = Le Kleachorn.
The sound is detailed, smooth and rich. There is no "horn coloration" when properly crossed, and they do not blare -- on the contrary, the sound just floats out of them. Yet you can hear an uncanny, almost bizarre amount of detail out of them, and they are indeed holographic and sound similar to electro-statics. They are so efficient that the power meter on my 2A3 never even registers.
The Azurahorns are also constant directivity and they really don't beam except perhaps a tad at the highest frequencies (to my ears). Off-axis is just a shade less bright and it's almost as if there's no sweet spot -- it's all sweet.
The only downside is bass: room modes are not yet treated. So I just turn the volume down a bit and they still sound fantastic. In fact they really shine at low and moderate volumes, and don't need to be cranked in order to "sing."
Many thanks to Mssr. Jmmlc in Paris, France (for the beautiful flare), Mr. Martin Seddon of Azurahorn, and of course ultimate horn fanatic and mentor, Mssr. Serenechaos. And many thanks to GM, who said years ago (mis-quoting him) that the best way to listen to single-driver is horn-loaded, supported with a woofer. How right you are, and if only I could have understood at the time
One last thought: if you are a fellow newb (who can't build a proper crossover), just bite the bullet and get an active crossover. It opens up all sorts of possibilities. Life is short, so just get going!
