How come Horn + woofer designs are not more popular?


A couple guys on my audio discord really love the JBL synthesis 4367 and feel that all traditional 3 way tower speakers suck because they have poor bass response and are generally shy sounding. What I wonder is how come the majority of speaker makes do floor standers that are 3 way as oppose to the Horn +woofer design of JBL?

Is there any downsides to the horn + woofer design? Can a horn convey microdetail as well as a Be tweeter like say from magic A or S line? They claim 3 way floor standers are just trendy. But is there anything more to it then that?
smodtactical

Showing 1 response by alexberger

I think JBL M2 have too low sensitivity 92dB  for horn + 15" woofer speakers.
This fact kills they advantages over box speakers.
Yes, they should have better high and low frequencies extension compared to typical horn speakers, 
BUT
They will never sound as dynamic and alive as 97-100dB horn speakers and you can't use them with SET amplifiers.
I listen mostly jazz and classical music, and for this kind of music low mass old 15" woofers like where used in: old Altec, JBL L200, Tannoy Silver, Red suit better. 
New heavy 15" woofers more suit for rock and pop music but they don't breathing and sound more simplified on midrange.