[jkelly]

I have the BK-16 with FF165K driver and NO tweeter and after connecting the Sharp EX111 to them, I am very impressed.  I had been using the Clari-T with them which was excellent.  When I tried the Sharp with them today - there was a significant difference.  Fuller - thicker - more powerful Slam - whatever the words are!  I also tried the Loudness position 1 which helps the horns a bit on the bottom and top.  The horns now have strength and do not sound thin or like they are missing something (low bass or a tweeter!).

I just want to say that on all my non-horn speakers the Clari-T just blows away the Sharp but with this BK-16 horn it is different.  It is a different listening experience as well.  The Clari-T wants you to walk into the soundstage and look for instrument locations and their sounds.  The horns to me present a musical ensemble that you sit back and enjoy.  Perhaps the less clarity and slight coloration of the Sharp works better here.  Anyway thats how I see it.  May be time to send the Sharp to Vinnie!

So if you have the BK-16's give the Sharp a try.

Jeff

Using Alpha Core M1 cables and Bolder 1 power cord.

[Vinnie R.]

I just want to say that on all my non-horn speakers the Clari-T just blows away the Sharp but with this BK-16 horn it is different. It is a different listening experience as well. The Clari-T wants you to walk into the soundstage and look for instrument locations and their sounds. The horns to me present a musical ensemble that you sit back and enjoy. Perhaps the less clarity and slight coloration of the Sharp works better here. Anyway thats how I see it. May be time to send the Sharp to Vinnie!

...

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for your input...very well said!  They do have a different sounds, indeed.

Send your Sharp over to me... I'll give you deeper, tighter bass with more slam and much more transparent mids and highs...  
I just can't enjoy the stock Sharp I own anymore...the modded one always goes back  

Thanks again,

[toobwacky]

I REALLY wish Madisound would sell those cabinets assembled.  If they did I'd be tempted to try a pair.  

Do they really need the super-tweeter?

[jkelly]

I would say with the exception of Rock - the BK-16 without the super tweeter is completely satisfying.  Classical, acoustic, jazz, choral, folk are all splendid on the tweeterless BK-16.  As I posted above, the synergy with the Sharp/Goertz M1 really strengthens the presentation from the horn.

Jeff

[JLM]

Jeff,

Nice assortment of equipment.

Wonder if the low Qts of the driver has anything to do with which amp sounds best.  Has anyone else here tried SI/Clari-T/digital amps with horns?

An internet friend assembled the BK-16 and said that the panels were well cut and had no problems.  As always finishing is the biggest challenge.  But if your quality standards are low, or you're happy with paint/exposed plywood edges, or you can find a trim carpenter to finish them for you the BK-16 makes for a nice little horn.  I'd keep the super tweeter off, unless you have very good high frequency hearing or are forced to listen way off-center most of the time.

Another internet friend uses the Clari-T with Bob Brines FTA-2000 (transmission line cabinets with Fostex F200A drivers that are only rated 89 dB/w/m, 8 ohms, 30 - 20,000 Hz in room) and its a match made in heaven with sufficient volume for all but the loudest classical peaks.

[mcgsxr]

Depending on your definition of horns, there were many in the Horn Shoppe crowd who went over the top for digital amps, paired with Ed's creations.

I keep meaning to get over to a local guy's house, to drop my Bolder Teac on his Horn Shoppe Horns, but for some reason fate is denying us!