What are the Top Horn Speakers in the World Today? Vox Olympian vs Avantgarde Trio vs ???

[bonzo75]

We all hear gear at different locations, different systems AND at shows. You have to sum up the impressions and get a balanced view.
Bonzo75 - you constantly put up videos of a system you have visited, with dodgy audio. But we watch them and allow for that. It is not rocket science.

I think many of us understand why you are jumping to Brad’s defence

 

[Zero000]

TBH given a choice of any horn system I'd go with AG.

Why? Because generally they do scale and dynamics, sound exciting/are fast and generally have too much bass. Excellent for the sort of stuff I listen too. Also, they are good off axis.

That includes the likes of the Olympian and lots of other major brands, which for the most part I have heard many times.

 

[Amir]

If TAD is not using a first order filter between the coax mid/tweeter then it might be spatially aligned but the phase shift and group delay will mean that the drivers are not time aligned. You won't see dynamics in Stereophile measurements. Static measurements will not reveal the issues. Given the relatively low sensitivity of the speaker and impedance it will suffer from thermal compression issues at normal listening levels, which will likely compress dynamics compared to a high sensitivity, higher impedance speaker. It's all about voice coil heating...

I have Listened to TAD R1 (90db) beside Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 1 (95db) many times. Both TAD R1 and Alexandria are very dynamic not 100% equal to good horns but very close.

Theory is different to our real experience.

TAD R1 needs high quality power amplifier and also high quality low impedance AC Power.

I know it is not easy for you but if you can come to Iran I will be happy to see you here.

 

[bonzo75]

TBH given a choice of any horn system I'd go with AG.

Are you referring to trios or below models

 

[morricab]

I have Listened to TAD R1 (90db) beside Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 1 (95db) many times. Both TAD R1 and Alexandria are very dynamic not 100% equal to good horns but very close.

Theory is different to our real experience.

TAD R1 needs high quality power amplifier and also high quality low impedance AC Power.

I know it is not easy for you but if you can come to Iran I will be happy to see you here.


View attachment 157347

I know quite well the X1 as a friend had a pair and a local dealer has X1 series 3. Both I heard many times with many amps. They were among the most dynamic of conventional speakers but still not close to the better horns… I doubt the R1 has better dynamics than those early Wilsons.
It’s not theory, it’s physics.

 

[flyer]

Will never be able to sound good as a 5k tannoy gold, used Devore O96, or this speaker that cost a bit over 5k

The second best horn system i ever heard in my life was the VOTT set-up by Jean Hiraga in the dedicated room (in Lille, France) .



This is what he uses as amplifier:



And this is his custom made DAC (with integrated volume control): bottom left you can see what he always uses as a source (TEAC DV-50)




Sound was utterly realistic, those shiny CD's revealed an amount of information as if we were listening to their master tape!

It is not a 5k system I must admit, because the parts he uses are very sought after. But when it all comes together as Mr Hiraga does, it is an absolute no-brainer and first choice, if you have a room suited for it. I think you need a room about 100 m³ to let such system sing its songs...

 

[bonzo75]

The second best horn system i ever heard in my life was the VOTT set-up by Jean Hiraga in the dedicated room (in Lille, France) .

View attachment 157350

This is what he uses as amplifier:

View attachment 157351

And this is his custom made DAC (with integrated volume control): bottom left you can see what he always uses as a source (TEAC DV-50)

View attachment 157353


Sound was utterly realistic, those shiny CD's revealed an amount of information as if we were listening to their master tape!

It is not a 5k system I must admit, because the parts he uses are very sought after. But when it all comes together as Mr Hiraga does, it is an absolute no-brainer and first choice, if you have a room suited for it. I think you need a room about 100 m³ to let such system sing its songs...

I have visited Jean twice, in his room, TZBC was with me once, and also visited some of his friends. I have heard better Altecs, and one of his friend’s had a fantastic one during my first visit.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I know quite well the X1 as a friend had a pair and a local dealer has X1 series 3. Both I heard many times with many amps. They were among the most dynamic of conventional speakers but still not close to the better horns… I doubt the R1 has better dynamics than those early Wilsons.
It’s not theory, it’s physics.

If you've already heard them, ignore my post. The Analog Domain Argus speaker 99db/1 watt are phantastic in dynamic . Even the smaller Aura speakers are phenomenal that really impressed me.

The Argus

-*- The Analog Domain -*- Home of the craziest bunch of audio engineers on Earth!

analogdomain.eu

P.S Bastanis adds another dynamic layer

 

[DasguteOhr]

I did not give an opinion on tube amps. i said I heard them with tube amps and also AG amps.

I just wanted to say that tubes aren't always the best choice. A good device performs excellently, regardless of whether transistors or tubes are the amplifying element. Just give it a try; there are so many good single-ended transistor amps.

 

[iaxel]

Any idea which speakers are these:

 

[Daro]

Any idea which speakers are these:
View attachment 157364

Hommage Cinema

 

[iaxel]

Hommage Cinema

Interesting. Thank you!

 

[Argonaut]

I think many of us understand why you are jumping to Brad’s defence

Is that really the level of your debate Kedar ? And who might these undisclosed “us” be ?

 

[Legolas]

I think many of us understand why you are jumping to Brad’s defence

We all know you are VERY opinionated. If you use the term IMO more, you will rub less people up the wrong way. I constantly say IMO.

 

[Audiohertz2]

The second best horn system i ever heard in my life was the VOTT set-up by Jean Hiraga in the dedicated room (in Lille, France) .

View attachment 157350

This is what he uses as amplifier:

View attachment 157351

And this is his custom made DAC (with integrated volume control): bottom left you can see what he always uses as a source (TEAC DV-50)

View attachment 157353


Sound was utterly realistic, those shiny CD's revealed an amount of information as if we were listening to their master tape!

It is not a 5k system I must admit, because the parts he uses are very sought after. But when it all comes together as Mr Hiraga does, it is an absolute no-brainer and first choice, if you have a room suited for it. I think you need a room about 100 m³ to let such system sing its songs...

Any better pics of his Speakers ..?

 

[Audiohertz2]

I have visited Jean twice, in his room, TZBC was with me once, and also visited some of good friends. I have heard better Altecs, and one of his friend’s had a fantastic one during my first visit.

How was the food …?

 

[Atmasphere]

The second best horn system i ever heard in my life was the VOTT set-up by Jean Hiraga in the dedicated room (in Lille, France) .

View attachment 157350

That horn is helped out (as are most Altec horns) when damping is applied to more than just the throat as seen above, also by improved diaphragms. I heard such a thing a few years ago; the diaphragm was beryllium with a Kapton surround. Having no breakups and less oddities around the lower cutoff point it sounded both more detailed and smoother.

 

[bonzo75]

That horn is helped out (as are most Altec horns) when damping is applied to more than just the throat as seen above, also by improved diaphragms. I heard such a thing a few years ago; the diaphragm was beryllium with a Kapton surround. Having no breakups and less oddities around the lower cutoff point it sounded both more detailed and smoother.

Hiraga is using a Philips horn and Westrex drivers. The horn does have audible resonance

 

[Al M.]

I have heard 4 set ups and only liked one, with all Kondo. One other did show potential. The difference is one of their models has a paper driver which I think I preferred, apart from the amplfication. Marcus (and Kuzma, I think) also heard that system before starting his thread, and when Kuzma bought it

I have heard Kondo sound good in only 3 systems, one with Sigma Maat Vector, one with Klangfilm, one with Diesis.

[...]

Absolutely lousy dynamics on the Scheherazade. Compare (at about 38:30):

Of course, the iPhone recording could be limiting. Yet in any case, this is not the way to show off a "high efficiency" speaker And what if the real life dynamics of the system are that bad? Maybe the Kondo just can't drive the speakers....

 

[Atmasphere]

Of course, the iPhone recording could be limiting. Yet in any case, this is not the way to show off a "high efficiency" speaker And what if the real life dynamics of the system are that bad? Maybe the Kondo just can't drive the speakers....

Iphones have a built-in limiter in their recording system that cannot be disabled. Plus the microphones are Ok but not great. Its not a good idea to make pronouncements based on an iphone recording insofar as judging speakers or amps is concerned.