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A horn is a flare in front of the driver that couples it to the air more efficiently, so a few watts go a long way and dynamics arrive with very little effort. Done badly it honks; done well it is the most lifelike way to play a drum kit. These are the brands in our database best known for horn designs, from Klipsch to the small European makers.
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- Acapella speakers incorporate spherical or hyperspherical horns, meticulously designed to optimize impulse response and phase behavior, contributing to seamless integration across the frequency spectrum.
- The brand distinguishes itself through its plasma tweeters, which utilize a modulated ball of hot gas, providing exceptional high-frequency extension, purity, and dynamic response due to their virtually massless nature.
- While many models do not require large amounts of power, they respond favorably to high-quality amplification, particularly tube amps, revealing a richness of texture and tonal accuracy.
- Each pair is individually measured and referenced, ensuring precisely calibrated parts replacements can be made, highlighting their commitment to long-term customer support.
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- Avantgarde Acoustic distinguishes itself by using horn-loaded drivers across the frequency spectrum in many of their designs, prioritizing efficiency and dynamic range over traditional driver configurations.
- They offer a modular upgrade path with their speakers, allowing users to transition from passive crossovers and traditional amplification to fully active systems utilizing Avantgarde's proprietary iTRON current-drive technology.
- A core design principle is achieving seamless integration between drivers, particularly between the horn-loaded components and powered subwoofers, using DSP and careful design to create a cohesive soundstage.
- Avantgarde allows extensive aesthetic customization options, including a wide array of colors for the horns and finishes for the cabinets, enabling customers to tailor their speakers to suit individual tastes and room décor.
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What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
Firstly: Most prominently, our spherical horn technology with its precisely calculated wave-launch accounts for a unique appearance, outstanding (typically 104+ dBs/W/m) efficiency, and a favorably controlled sound dispersion in any room and environment. This gives our speakers an objet d'art character and makes amplifier choice a straightforward task: it’s all about sound quality, not about wattage.
Secondly: With launching the G3 series speakers, the range is optionally available in fully active versions, with the horn section powered by a breakthrough innovation regarding the membranes' displacement control: the proprietary iTRON current-drive amplifier technology. Executed in single-ended push-pull, fully Class-A, and zero-feedback topology, iTRON is the ideal and logical choice for offering not just conveniently connectable powered speakers but to consequently provide a musical experience beyond what is possible with customary voltage amplifier technology.
What's your approach to customer support?
Our customer support consists of a network of stipulated regional service providers and a central coordinating office at the factory for prompting the most effective procedures. Standardly, our local instances will be the recommended and most effective support channel (e.g., because of a time zone offset to Germany), while in specific cases, e.g., with "vintage support," our own team of experienced specialists may of course be addressed for appropriate advice and servicing.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
Showcasing the famous Allman Brothers Band in an astonishingly intimate frame, on stage in a rather small club (while filling stadiums, usually), is the track "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed" from the record An Evening With The Allman Brothers Band – 2nd Set, recorded live in LA around 1992. Listened to by a dynamically capable and highly resolving speaker like from our range, the skillful, fun-driven playing, the vibrant atmosphere, and the cheering public make a "be there" experience par excellence. Ten minutes and fifteen seconds that fly.
Leopold Stokowski's famous Rhapsodies collection from 1960 (on Living Stereo, recorded at Manhattan Center) still holds surprises! While considered to be a "nice recording" anyway by many, especially true for the Liszt "Hungarian Rhapsody No.2," listeners who become exposed to the recording through our speakers realize far greater "ebb and flow" contrast in the orchestra's fantastic playing. At realistic concert level? As you please!
Meraki's "La Fong" track has driven people to tears (of joy…) where one would never think that this is the kind of music they'd fancy. Powerhouse electronic music that combines thrilling dynamics with a wonderful sense of space that does not merely scatter sounds into thin air but makes them glitter. A special, almost limitless trip when listened to by the right set of speakers.
What other products pair best with yours?
Especially in combination with our iTRON amplifiers, the co-branding question does not need an "exclusive" answer. Rather, it deserves an "inclusive" answer, as the high degree of control over the musical result ensured by horns and current-drive has generated feedback from our network that attests many excellent (no matter if praised for a specific strength or for an overall sound balance) source components to make a truly "shining" contribution.
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Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
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Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
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Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
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- Klipsch has a long-standing design philosophy centered around horn-loaded drivers, which contributes to their products' high sensitivity and wide dynamic range.
- The brand's products often feature a distinctive aesthetic blend of retro styling with modern, high-quality materials, making them a unique addition to any listening space.
- Klipsch speakers are celebrated for their ability to deliver high volume levels, and have very unique character that audiophiles with certain tastes can really appreciate.
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What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
We have an exemplary reputation for producing single-range drivers that do not use crossovers. We have been in business since the 1930s. Many other companies have copied us, but none are our equal.
What's your approach to customer support?
We do not use conventional distribution/retail models. The majority of our products are manufactured to order. We use a number of trade representatives and what we term as boutique dealers for countries outside of the UK. We would normally ask a customer to refer themselves to our local representative in the first instance, as they can then ascertain what assistance the customer may require before they go to any unnecessary expense. Support, however, is controlled via our UK operation. For example, we may issue replacement products directly, supply our representatives with OEM parts for them to fit locally, or generally offer advice.
We pride ourselves that having purchased Lowthers in 2018, we have worked very hard on customer support with a no-quibble warranty. We have re-introduced the Lowther for Life scheme. Once you are a Lowther customer, we will do our level best to ensure that you remain a Lowther customer for the rest of your life.
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
Spanish Harlem – Rebecca Pidgeon (Chesky) – voice accuracy, instrument placement, depth of soundstage.
Wallace – Drive-By Truckers – dynamic range, visceral power.
Segue in C / bdb – Basie/Ellington (The First Time) – Duke on the left, Count on the right, spacious CBS studio recording.
What other products pair best with yours?
Lowther 'total sound philosophy' – matched with PX4 and our interconnects. Well set-up Lowthers will reveal weaknesses in the 'front end,' so phono/digital source should be carefully set up. Likewise, interconnects will vary tonal balance greatly.
Veracity Chrysalis pre-amp/DAC (if you can find one).
Raspberry Pi (Allo Digi hat, or similar) digital endpoint from server/file storage, JRiver library management.
Clean, modestly powered 'push-pull' amp: EL34 Howes / Leak S20.
Big REL subwoofer.
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- They also offer a range of accessories, including room treatments and cable enhancers, alongside traditional audio components, allowing for a holistic approach to system optimization.
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- Triangle leverages its Esprit Ez series paper cone technology in its more affordable Borea line, allowing for stunning realism and tonality in the midrange at an accessible price point.
- Triangle speakers leverage their Efficient Flow System (EFS) tweeter design, pairing a silk dome with a phase plug to provide a wide sound dispersion and airy, delicate high frequencies.
- Triangle's Borea line incorporates their Driver Vibration Absorption System (DVAS), which braces the drive units and uses high-density foam to minimize cabinet vibrations and enhance clarity, contributing to the overall sound quality.
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
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Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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- Greg Roberts' background in custom home building is reflected in Volti's meticulous craftsmanship and focus on heirloom-quality construction utilizing thick Baltic birch plywood and robust internal bracing.
- By using a 2" throat for the midrange horn, instead of the typical .75" to 1", Volti speakers achieve a bigger, more expansive, and less colored sound, setting them apart from other horn designs.
- Volti designs its crossovers with carefully selected high-quality components and offers user-adjustable attenuation of the tweeter and midrange via easily swapped resistors on the rear panel.
- Despite using horn-loaded drivers, Volti loudspeakers are voiced to achieve a smooth, coherent soundstage and realistic tonal accuracy, defying common criticisms of traditional horn designs.
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
