[fredgarvin]

Has anyone here listened to the Great Horned Heil that Ed is now offering at the Hornshoppe? Comments on Ed's forum are very positive.

[Letitroll98]

Apparently only the crickets have heard it Fred.  It looks pretty kewl, I assume a full range Fostex with a Heil as supertweeter?  Or is it another driver or config? 

[fiveoclockfriday]

I haven't heard it, but yes, that's what it is. It's the normal Horn w/ Fostex, and the Heil is added on.

I would bet it sounds great given the impressions posted, and Ed's reputation. For me personally (I owned Horns for 5 years), the problem creeping into the Horns, and especially with the Heil is the price. When Horns were what like $650 new you got so much bang for your buck that you overlooked the sort of DIY appearance and some of the limitations. Now with the Heil you're at $1875. Again I'm sure they sound great, but I personally begin to expect a lot more in the fit and finish department at those prices. I wish him the best though, Ed's proven time and time again he's a good guy.

- Eric

[genjamon]

I think it crosses over much lower than a supertweeter - well into the midrange.  He's using the Heil version, which is rated into midrange frequencies (800hz?  500? - can't remember), so it's not just a tweeter.  He's also using a full crossover, giving relief to that fostex in the higher frequencies and allowing it to focus on lower mids and mid-bass.  Of course, the limits of the cabinet still exist in the low bass department.

As another former long-time owner of Horns, I agree with Eric's sentiments about higher expectations for the higher price point.  But I would be quite curious to hear it.

[fredgarvin]

It's a true two way with external crossovers, according to what I read in the forum. I'm intrigued but it is nearly $2000. He says you cam send in your current horns and he would retrofit.

[ohenry]

I have the Model 2 Horns (twin Fostex 126 drivers) with the Heils.  As previously stated, the Heils do turn the Horns into a true 2-way.  The character of the Horns is preserved, but the addition of the Heils do make the mids and highs clearer and cleaner, and more dynamic IMO. They are not an "add on" like the Fostex T-90's were to extend the response of the 126. The Heils replace the 126 for much of the output.  The xover is a series type. 

The Heils can be added to all Horns with no compromise. The xovers are external on retrofits, but Ed is making the new Horns with the ability to add them in a cavity later.

The Horns are a complimentary platform for the Heils since they are both fast and nimble.  The integration is seamless and the speaker still does the point source magic.  And the Heils employed are pricey, no doubt.  The cost of the Heils and crossovers justify the price.

I really enjoy what the Heils mated to Horns do.  If you enjoy the Horns or are looking for a great two-way, it's a worthy consideration.  BTW, the little Nelson Pass Amp Camp Amp with the Heil/Horn combo is amazing.