Horns do disperse all of their energy in a controlled manner 'forward' more than a direct radiator. Direct radiators direct more energy 'into the room' before it hits your ears. Horns are the opposite, they direct more energy to your ears before it is dispersed into the room. This is a good argument in favor of a fully horn-loaded system, top to bottom; the dispersion pattern stays the same throughout the frequency spectrum. Horns are still subject to the 'beaming' problem as frequency increases, but less so than a direct radiator.

Horns are sort of like wearing headphones; since the sound is more direct-to-the-ear, more details can be heard. This is exactly why they make good monitor speakers.

[This message has been edited by soundhound (edited November 25, 2002).]