Horns for SET: Low budget solutions


I've been an audiophile for quite some time and am about to take the plunge into the SET/Horns combination. I am a PHD student so that means that I have a very limited budget to work with. I am building a pair of Welborne DRD 300Bs which provide about 7 watts.

I'm now looking at how to best match these with horns. My goal is to get the most holographic image possible while avoiding the "shout" that horns are infamous for. I'm not too concerned about bass limitations as I have a subwoofer to help out there. Also, space is somewhat limited so I can't go with a huge speaker like the La Scala or VOTT.

I'm looking at Lowther and Fostex designs. Cains also seem to be a favorite. Can potentially build my own if necessary, but if they are less expensive I also don't mind just buying them outright. Any ideas would be appreciated.
abdou

Showing 2 responses by abdou

Thanks for your thoughtful post Rchau. To clarify my motives, long ago I heard a pair of horn loaded speakers from a maker called S.A.P. (Strumenti Acusti Pricizione) or something like that. They had the uncanny ability to throw a soundstage out into the room that I've never heard before. Most dynamic drivers project sound behind the plane of the speakers...some well to the side of the speakers and of varying degrees of depth. I've been told that horn loaded speakers combined with a SET is the only way to produce a 3 dimensional soundstage that projects out into the room (in front of the speakers as well as behind). I've never been able to forget (or afford) the SAPs...they cost about 20 grand. But I'm looking to recreate that feeling of incredible 3D presence while not also sacrificing tone. I won't part with my old system which hinges on Sequerra monitors and a Mac 225 tube amp. I have heard horn designs that I didn't care for...so I'm loath to invest huge sums of money (even if I had it!). So in order of importance for me its: tone and imaging first, then dynamics, then in last place, bass. I own an ACI subwoofer which is very quick (compares to the REL) and which can mate with horns I'm told. I listen primarily to jazz, folk, acoustic world music, a little electronic music, some classical but rarely to hard rock.
Rchau,

Interesting that you mention the Onken, since the same guy who had the S.A.P. eventually moved to an Onken based set-up. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to hear that that system.

I like the Onken idea, though Onken tend to present the same space limitations as the La Scalas...namely they are huge. I'm in a tiny apt. in Chicago and they'd take up about half of my living room. Or am I wrong?