@mijostyn --
Another issue that bothers me a little is the assumption that horns are more dynamic than other speakers. Horns are more efficient than most other speakers for sure but any speaker can be just as dynamic given enough power and power handling capacity.
That’s just the problem; with less efficient speakers and a sensitivity typically below 90dB’s "enough power" for proper dynamic envelope will largely be converted into heat in the voice coils (and crossover components as well). Depending on one’s size of listening space, distance to the speakers, room-acoustic characteristics etc. the power capacity needed for reasonbly uninhibited, realistic dynamics can very easily reach hundreds of watts, with thermal issues and power compression looming closely or already in full display eating away precious dB’s.
Imagine a not uncommon sensitivity of a direct radiator speaker sitting in the 84-87dB range compared to an all-horn speaker of 104-107dB’s sensitivity (or a horn hybrid sitting between 94-97dB’s, which will also make a big difference with ~1/10 the wattage requirement). The latter will need ~1/100 of the power - probably even less when we factor in power compression - to generate the same SPL as the former, and so full dynamic capacity with an all-horn setup, in a domestic environment, can actually be achieved close to realistically without thermal issues, and headroom to spare. And this, headroom, is hugely important. It’s not only about having "enough;" it’s about having sufficient headroom, even through blasting crescendos, for the speakers and amp(s) to more or less ease along so that the actual perceived sonics feel "at ease."
In the search for dynamic prowess it's also worthwhile to look at the possible sonic implications that follow with the process of acoustical impedance transformation. A horn couples the cone movement to the air gradually and more efficiently than a direct radiator, and this impedance coupling "latches" the cone movements to the air in such a way, to my ears, that transient snap and dynamic feel (and presence) is heightened. The cones in all-horns also move much less for the same SPL, and therefore inertia is greatly reduced for even better transient abilities.
Headroom, again, is very important. I’d even go so far to state that for headroom to be sufficient, all-horn or horn hybrid setups with ~+97dB sensitivity is a minimum requirement if we’re to attain fairly realistic and effortless dynamics. A radical thought to some, I’m sure..
Horn speakers may have an absolute higher volume level at a given distance but very few of us listen at those levels. Our ears do have a pain threshold.
Most compressed music has limited dynamic range, and thus quite easily feels rather loud. Music not severely compressed will retain dynamics more realistically, and the average volume will feel lower. It’s not as much about loudness per se as it is ease and the overall feel of the music, and a setup sonically at ease will sound subjectively lower (but we should still be aware of SPL’s to spare our ears). When I listen to a proper all-horn setup the uninhibited presence and size/scale is addictive, and makes most direct radiators I’ve heard seem rather tame/less alive and malnourished by comparison. Many mayn’t expect it, but quality implemented horns have a warmth and vibrancy and easy-on-the-ears imprinting that’s anything but strident, shouty, nasal, hard or what have you.
