BEST HORN LOUDSPEAKER TO PURCHASE


I am a 73 year male with normal hearing as per my  ENT doctor.  I am comfortable  listening to music at  50-55 dbs, with occasional peaks of 60-62 dbs.  Looking for the music to sound alive at these levels. Did some acoustic treatments, purchased an equalizer which did not help(workaround of Fletcher Munson Curve). Finally I made a change and purchased a pair of JBL 4349 horn loudspeakers, which is a 2 way speaker with a horn midrange and a large dynamic woofer.  Sensitivity was 91. I was able to get full bodied sound at lower levels, but the bass driver did not wake up until  70 decibels. I have 2 SVS subs, the DB4000. I  adjusted the cross over and volume which improved the bass.  When I put my ear next to the bass driver of the JBL at 50-55 db there was very little bass to be heard, in a piece that had substantial bass . This is my den system. I now firmly believe that a horn loudspeaker is the best way to go.  My main system consists of 15 year old Vandersteen 5A's, Thor Audio Monoblocks 150 watt tube each side, and a Thor Audio linestage.  The Vandersteens are absolutely wonderful speakers, featuring built in subs. You get top to bottom sound that is full and rich,  but not at comfortable listening levels. Uncomfortable levels lead to ear pain.  I have tried and tried, but in my system the Vandersteens require about 70 DBS to come alive.  I have been researching and I believe I need a high sensitivity. I have been thinking about the Volti Audio Luceras. My budget is $15,000 per pair.  I've watched Greg of Volti speak on You Tube and he seems to be perfectionist and seems to really know his business. I believe the Lucera has a 99 db, which should help the dynamic bass driver come alive at lower listening levels. I also believe that the sound will be rich and full bodied at my listening levels. Has anybody heard or own the Luceras?  Would be interested in anybody's thoughts. Thanks for reading and responding to my question. 

kjl1065

Tekton has some horns.i picked up the bonnevilles but they are 4 feet wide.they throw a fantastic soundstage at low and high spl.4 15 inch woofers and 7 satori horns. He has much smaller models in horns in your price and some around 7 k and less. You might want to call tekton. I have alot of speakers and his measure well and are a great bang for the buck.happy listening.

@rodge827 

OP: "I am comfortable  listening to music at  50-55 dbs, with occasional peaks of 60-62 dbs."

You: "with real bass. No holes or suck out in the bass, every note top to bottom."

Listen to something at your normal volume.

Now, drop to 50-55 dbs.

How do those suckers sound? If they retain excellent bass, you have risen above science or they have excessive bass at normal volumes (not extended, excessive) there’s no way around it.

I had considered Voltis although there was no place reasonably nearby to hear them, and noticed a NO RETURN policy that I wasn't happy about. I get it but still...I also sent an inquiry regarding an "unfinished" Razz (the price of which had gone up a thousand or so) and was told in a somewhat snarky reply by Greg Roberts to forget those and buy some ready to ship far more expensive fancy wood finished model. Suffice to say Volti has never and will never see a dime from me.