The Little Horns
These horns are turning the audio world upside down. They posses a life-like soundstage unlike anything else I have ever heard. They are studies in the enablement and constriction of sound waves. These horns are extremely efficient and therefore aptly suited for high fidelity listening using single-ended triode amplification. Pair these speakers with our matching stereo tube amplifier (pictured below) and create an ensemble that an iPod or other sound source can be plugged directly into. 

Using a completely unconventional design, the bass frequencies from these horns emerges from the top of the enclosure instead of from the bottom like most folded horn designs. Their shape, with its octagonal fluting, also affects the way the sound waves are focused coming out of the bell, thus the projection of the horn is geometrically colorful -the frequencies are the same but their placement or “punctuation” is different.

These horns are designed as a compact stereo speaker using small Fostex full-range drivers (the FE 103). They use the same octagonally-fluted shape and form as the Specimen XL horns, reduced to bookshelf size. 

People agonize over “toe in” of speakers and speaker separation distance to establish the stereo soundstage, among other things. Small adjustments are said to create wildly differing contrasts in sound. The Little Horn Speakers sound nicer further apart than conventional enclosures with the same drivers. A ten or twelve foot separation creates a soundstage that is hard to imagine coming out of two 4” speakers proving radical design can yield radical results.

 

 

The horns are made using high-density fiberglass. Heavy, void-free Baltic birch plywood makes up the compression chamber and the preliminary folds of the horn's base. They are fitted to their base like a neck should be fitted to a guitar — with an exacting alignment and flush fitting surface to ensure the best performance and tonal transmission. Dimensions: - The little horns are 37 ¾” tall overall - The bell of the horn is 13 ¾” at the mouth - The base is 12 ¾” deep, 7 ¼” wide and 10 ½” tall.   Color Finishes: These horn speakers can be finished with any color combination possible. Pictured here are three considerations: 1) gold interior and green exterior 2) clear coated bases with white horns 3) walnut brown with gold interior Other color combinations are available as well as custom colors for special orders.     These horn speakers are available separately and can be used with most stereo systems.    A pair of Specimen’s Little Horns is $1850.    The Stereo Tube Amp is $2200.

Folded Horn Research and Development
It is widely considered that bass frequencies are somewhat non-directional, so much so that sub-woofers are often mono, center channel systems. These woofers are most commonly placed on the floor and hidden away to keep from intruding the listening environment with the belief that the bass will permeate no matter what the placement of the sound source. With full-range folded horn systems, the bass portal is positioned at the floor or pointed at the back wall to rely on these conveniently located geometric planes and to accentuate the bass frequencies.

After studying many popular folded enclosures using these Fostex drivers, I got to thinking - what if we turn the whole thing upside down? If these frequencies are as non-picky, directionally speaking, as they are purported to be, why not take advantage of an architectural element that is virtually going to waste - THE CEILING. Except for keeping us safe from rain or separating the floors of a building, the ceiling surface is often ignored. I began by “unfolding” a variety of designs then refolded them to suit my horn design at the end of the portal. After much experimentation, I can say that the results are impressive. These Little Horns are both visually stunning and sonically delightful.

Click here to see photos of the horns and tube amp taken during the building process.

Little Horn Speakers | Hi-Fi Tube Amplifier | XL Horn Speakers | Single Horn Speaker
Horn Amp | Spinning Double Horn Speaker
Fifty Watt Amp | Stereo Amp | Ten Watt Amp

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