The SEOS folks already got out the plasticine:
The primary product that has emerged is the SEOS waveguide (Super Elliptical Oblate Spheroid describes the profile of the waveguide's curvature). The design objective was to provide good horizontal coverage for near constant sound anywhere in the room (controlled directivity for the audio wonks) and vertical coverage that would minimize floor and ceiling bounce, while minimizing the problems associated with traditional 'horns' (internal reflections and such)
Will that work better than foam plugs? Hopefully Dennis will share his impressions, he's the only guy posting who has (will soon have?) experience with both, and whose input I trust.
I understand and respect the use of the word
minimize here. It usually is more realistic and honest to say that "such & such minimizes the problem" rather than saying "such & such eliminates the problem. At the same time, minimize could also imply, "we're working on better ways to further minimize the problem".
I don't think the potential advantages of horn/waveguide mounted drivers outweighs their demonstrated disadvantages. Even if "that horn sound" can be effectively eliminated, I still have enough problems with them to prefer dome, ribbon, or planar tweeters in a standard implementation.
GranteedEV used to be a proponent of the GedLees. Too bad he doesn't hang around here any more to comment.
If I recall, he bought a pair of Philharmonic 2s, which might explain his absence. He's listening to them.
Last night, I spent a few minutes with Google Image searching the phrase: horn speakers. The results were fun to look at. I also laughed, but your responses may vary.
While looking at those photos, I think I found the horn speakers that I thought sounded OK last summer at the CAF. It may have been
Volti Audio Vittoras. They look familiar, but I'm not certain it was them. They cost $17,500 a pair
!