VOLTI Razz, Are You Ready For Your First Horn Speaker? 

I absolutely love my Volti Razz V2, they exceeded my Klipsch Chorus by leaps and bounds. My favorite speaker I have ever owned 🫶

I'm so excited! My 1968 Cornwalls are coming out of storage and will be installed this weekend! I haven't heard them in 20 years.

Ooooo, these look so cool, Steve! Would love to get a chance to listen to these. Thanks for another great one, Steve!

I stumbled upon Greg and his Vittora's at either the first or second Capitol Audio Fest and was blown away by the sound from a most unexpected new speaker designer. Back then, he still called Maine home and he did this great demo of him speaking through the midrange horn from a K-Horn (which he used to fix for folks) and then through his midrange horn. The K-Horn sounded honky while his sounded like a human voice. Very impressive. I jumped on the chance to buy a pair of his Razz speakers during COVID, and owned them for about seven months before I had to upgrade to the Rivals (thanks to a COVID canceled cruise vacation refund). I owned a pair of Forte III's ahead of the Razz and I can say the Razz a much more refined and engaging listen. For those complainning about the finish quality, I had the Bosse Cedar finish and it was stunning. My Rival SEs are next level with curved backs and matching external crossovers. And they sound even better than they look. Greg makes great speakers that are spectacular looking to boot. There is a reason that the Volti/Border Patrol/Triode Wire Labs room always get mentioned as one of the "Best In Show" wherever they exhibit.

Ive always loved horns. Paired with a tube amp, they are the definition of warm smooth sound. Not acurate or precise but like a bowl of Hagen Dass always satisfying👍

I dare suggest that every audio component maker and distributer in the USA and Canada watch this YT channel. Probably some from Europe. How amazing is this channel ?

I’ve enjoyed my Volti Rivals for past 3 years, and I absolutely love them. Better than same sized Klipsch. I have them powered by a 250 integrated Pass Labs amp, and the energy and excitement are remarkable. Plus, Greg is a craftsman and a pleasure to work with.

Nice choice for review Steve!! Watching now. Excited. 🎉🎉

Thank you, Steve, for the great review. I missed these at AXPONA, unfortunately. The website is really great, especially the “Where to Hear” page that gets into a comparison between the Razz and Klipsch Forte.

Hi Steve, I was really looking forward to your review. I have a pair of Razz since last December, and I paired with a Leben CS600X and a Rega P10. Last system of my life. I absolutely adore it

After reading the review of the Volti Rival speakers by Ken Micalef in Stereophile, I contacted Greg Roberts and bought a pair without ever hearing them. Basic birch cabinets, I love these speakers; they are a legacy product which will be passed on. Greg Roberts himself is a great person to deal with and he is truly involved with his customers, I can't say enough good about the speakers or the company. Primaluna power amp rated at 21 watts in triode mode gives all the power and volume ever required.

I have followed Volti for about 3-4 years now.......and have always wanted to experience and hear this company's speakers.

I always enjoy Steve's choices of products to review........... 🔈🔉🔊

I've only heard Volti speakers at shows, but I've always been impressed by them. I'm glad that they got a proper review.

Great review. Thank you.

The unfinished option is such a cool idea. Added these to the must listen to list accumulating in my head.

You make a good point for consumers . I really wanted to support a local company which I believe and still believe is a great company. I wasn't even that hung up on what is the best and greatest thing. They are just what the audio market needs and arrived just in time. However- the product I chose was back ordered and had an ETA of a couple of months. But- alas, by the time I bowed out it was more like 8 months. In all fairness, there were serious supply issues going on at the time. It wasn't their fault and I felt about that. But you can't be crazy and impulsive if you have time to think! They are still my heros.

I heard a pair of Volti Vittoras with accompanying subs at a friends last Fall. Absolutely amazing!

Thanks for a great review Steve.

I have never been a fan of horn speakers ala Klipsch, etc. But, these really impressed me at Axpona. So much so I went back for a second listen. Unfortunately, outside of my budget at this time. But I will certainly be keeping my eyes open for a well priced used pair!

Great show Steve cheers

Steve, I'm sure you will reach 250,000 subs very soon, you deserve it.

Yes Steve that's what I'm talking about that Volti-Razz looks the business inside and out!

Absolutely right ... I too associate Volti and Greg with good sounding rooms and an approachable demeanor.

Great review, Steve.

I'm lucky enough to own a pair of Volti Vittora and an Elf. Forever seakers, absolutely fantastic.

First heard horn speakers in 1973 at a friend’s house. His dad had a Leak amp, Garrod 301/SME3009 arm with huge Lowther horn speakers. Amazing sound, very unique.

Ive heard about Volti audio a couple years ago and i would like to hear them.They sound very excitingly because they rival Klipsh speakers..and thats saying alot.I envy your job..yes envious ! Bring it on.

Thanks for the review. Not sure I understand how this speaker sounds from your review though. I am a horn fan (own the JBL 4367) and agree that horns make compressed music better. Honestly they are just better than box speakers.

Nice crossover, nice speaker.

These were some of my favorite at Axpona. 🥰🥰🥰

Steve--how cool! I saw an album by the Del Fuegos behind the speakers. That's rare & cool. What a little-known but great band! From Pittsburgh, I believe. I, too, have some of their vinyl from decades ago (and a CD rip)...generally, decently recorded, straight-ahead rock & roll. Maybe you used them as a demo, so, lemme get back to your review!

Steve , thank you for opening my eyes to this fantastic company. I shut your vid off when you said $7000. Greg reached out to me to come listen so I went to his website and quickly realized how wonderful these speakers are. I will go back and watch the whole vid again. Shame on me for having such a closed mind. The down side of researching these speakers is now I am no longer set on the La Scala's or Cornwall. Now, where do I get $45,000. ? Hmmm

The plywood Is Baltic Birch very popular in hi-end cabinet building

Wow old school real wood in the box it looks great.

Never heard Volti Speakers,but I heard of their upgrades to Klipsch Belles,which I own.( Stock). But,going to create some interesting stuff. I still have 1960 Electrovoice Marquis,JBL L 53 Libras,with the very rare LE 14C Dual Concentric 14" drivers. two pairs of Klipsch Heresy,JBL 632A club speakers that never saw the outside.

Thanks Steve 👍🏽

Good show Steve. I wonder how did these compare to your Pure Audio Projects? Thank you.

Very cool! Never heard of Volti.

That Razz in yellow wood looks like the first large speakers I built as a teen. Using Radio Shack woofers, horn mids and tweets and the port in the front tall design. Strangely similar. However my version sounded like CRP.

Thank You! For pointing out the lower distortion of horn speakers! I rarely hear anyone mention this! Usually it's all about efficiency and ability to play loud. This is exactly what I like about Klipsch (Heritage series - newer two way designs not so much)! I live only about 85 miles from Volti. Wonder if they have a showroom there? I'd love to visit them.

I love those diffusers

From someone in the UK,if i had a Hi Fi store,i would definitely stock them.❤

Remember this too, like it or not, when you hear "uncompression" you are hearing low distortion of the type that our ears *do* give about. I have to master on direct radiation speakers, but I will not listen to direct radiation speakers. Paul Klipsch had this figured out decades ago, but the drivers components and general knowledge did not allow the optimization that is possible now. Also, the dsp (conversion) is about to be undetectable. The day of the horn speaker has once again arisen.

Super great review, Steve! I love big speakers and big speaker sound! My Forte IV's never disappoint! Would love to hear the Volta's someday!

The Del Fuegos? Awesome! As a Bostonian, I wholeheartedly approve.

These Voltis look a lot like a design I came up with and built four years ago to make my own version of a klipsch Cornwall. I think they must have has spies in my garage. I have them in my living room now.

How they compare to Pure Audio Project Duo 15? These two are my favorite speakers and the prices are similar. Thanks

Awesome speaker review, Steve!!

I started out with Vandersteen 2c speakers in the late 1980s, currently have Mirage bi-polar speakers, but never lived with a horn speaker. Jazz and Classical music is my focus. So do you think the new Vandersteen 2ce Signature III would be a better choice than the Volti Razz?

Steve is 100 percent correct. I got an old pair of Forte 1s and I never went back.

I heard them a few times at Axpona. They usually had a good sounding room.

How about a comparison with the Klipsch Forte IVs? The Fortes are about the same size as the voltis with 12” bass driver.

Those inductors should be rearranged to prevent their fields from interacting with each other. They should be perpendicular to each other, so that they don't couple with each other. Maybe that is the reason for the wood. However, I hope that is not a metal screw in the middle of the inductors. They would be much better off being zip tied to the board and hot glued.

I'd love to hear a Luxman Class A integrated driving the Razz.

This look like some DIY "Klipsch" projects I've seen around like the Cornscalas. Have you hears any succesful take on those? Just curious.

Videos of Steve dancing with speaker; I'd watch that.

Went to iTunes music and downloaded some of those Van Morrison’s. Love the afford that Razz but Van is really cooking, 45 songs for only twenty bucks. Thanks Steve.

im not a hifi-freaq haha, buuut, i got my first horn speaker element a couple of weaks ago, and now i got two biiig horns with "nice drivers" for it, and damn, the dynamic sound of the horns is, well, im astonished. Didnt think you could get "good sound" out of horns, just LOOTS of sound out of a horn, my mind is nowdays turned, i want more!

Thank you for your opinion on the Cornwall IV comparison, as this will most likely be my next upgrade. But, the Volti look sweet.

Hope they have a small room in PAF, Seattle next year!

Wow! An audiophiliac viewer system that is not obscure and is affordable! Something mass produced and available? I no longer need to search for something nobody else has ever heard of before.

I am thinking of removing the spikes on my Infinity's and mabe placing them on a lazy susan. Those are some beautiful speakers.

I know it’s a different price point but how would this compare with the fleetwood sound company speakers by OMA.. purely from a sound standpoint.. thanks and wonderful review as always Steve

I would like you to review the Legacy Focus SE "BOX" speakers.

Great review. What, if anything, do your Duet 15s do better than the Razz, and vice versa? For example, would you favor the Razz over the Duet 15s if the music had a horn section?

Find a good used pair of Forte ii. Send the crossovers to Crites for a rebuild. Change the tweeters to Crites Titanium. Add dynamat xtreme sound deadening material to the midrange, tweeters and along the inside cabinet sides. Those modifications work so well a 3/4 watt 1626 darling tube amplifier will blow you away with full sound. And you'll save about $4,500.

The Klipsch has rather pedestrian components in the crossover and everything is crimped on spade connectors which are great for your car but… they could try harder.

A general question for comparison sake, and I apologize but I have not yet "Googled" this question hah! Anyway, how do these speakers compare to similarly (or maybe bargain?) priced JBL compression driver/horn speakers? For instance, I have the JBL Studio 530's for near-ish field listening, and JBL 590's for 2.2 channel music / HT-light listening. The studio 5 series have this magic to them where the sound is effortless, clear but not fatiguing, balanced, good sound stage, impactful but not overwhelming bass, almost flat FR, and provide effortless detail without seemingly coloring the source material too much. Not that I'm looking to replace my current setup, but I do have a certain fondness for compression driver/horn speakers. There is something about them that provides a certain detail, clarity, and effortlessness that is not present in other driver types to my ears. All that said, how do the Volti Audio speakers compare?

Steve, been a fan and subscriber of yours for quite a while and want to say thank you for this insightful review. I retired to TN recently and wanted to assemble what will probably be my last Hi-Fi system. When it came time to decide what speakers to build my system around, I read all the reviews for speakers below the $10K mark, and as Volti was only 1.5 hours away from me contacted Greg Roberts for a demo. Greg invited me to his shop which is connected to his home for a tour and a listening session in his living room. I spent over 3 hours with him that day and based on what I saw and heard, placed an order for the Razz in a beautiful Rosewood with custom black and grey woven grill cloth. Greg is a true craftsman when it comes to woodworking and these cabinets are impeccable. Greg also discussed and assisted me with other pieces for the system including Cary Audio SLI-80 Heritage Series which can run triode or ultralinear, Zen Mini Mk3 Streamer, and Triode Audio Labs speaker cables. The sound I'm getting with the system at home is musical and alive. Steve, you said it best when you commented that these were fun. I worked in audio in the mid 80's and have been exposed to a lot of products costing thousands more, and have owned a lot of stuff over the years, but the Razz in my room is giving me the most enjoyment. That includes my wife and she is hard to please when it comes to sound and appearance. Sorry, this is a bit long. For those looking for speakers, I enthusiastically recommend you get in touch with Greg. You won't regret it.

havent heard many other horn speakers other than professional like function one, but a guy called patrick bateman has a bunch of open source 3d printable synergy horns and holy crap, takes a while to get used to horn loading but its actually incredible, would be awesome for some one with the MEH or Syntrip DIY designs available to send some in to you im sure synergy horn, especially being able to be printed will be the future of horns other wise quite complex to make, 3 way real point source in 1 horn but with the advantage of time alignment by depth/distance

Beautiful speakers and obviously very well designed. 1” birch wood ply…hell yeah! Checks off a lot of my boxes. Wouldn’t mind a bit higher impedance though. If a speaker were to replace my Tektons, I could see it be these. Thanks, Steve!

My large 30 x 30 space is 15 ft high, so along with width and depth, I want speakers with a tall vertically extended soundstage, that fill the air above them with music. Would these Volti Razz do that?

Another brand thats piqued my intrest for some time now.They come across to me as Klipsch heritage speakers "Done Right" !

From their web page - The Razz can be placed against a wall - that is a big feature in today's market.

A well designed horn speaker utilize an acustically neutral horn on top. That means that if you scream through it, it will sound louder but your voice essentially will sound the same. Problem with Volti is that its hard to get in Europe.

So are the bolts/nuts holding the crossover inductors in place metal or plastic?

The problem for me , living north of your border, is hearing these and many other audio options, sure we get lots of British options and even French ones but the vast array available to you of native brands is often frustrating for me, would love to hear these but high end American options are just not available here. And I’m only on the other side of Lake Ontario

Great review Steve , very interested in Volti , can you comment on this Keplermission viewer and his reactions to this review, he appears knowledgeable and set on contradicting the Voltis , you da man , again !

Horns for me!

My EV HR9040 midrange horns from the mid '70s sound fantastic to this day. With a mouth size of 38" x 18" they launch music into the room with amazing ease, energy and texture. Too big for most home listening rooms, however. They don't call them white whales for nothing!

Are they as good as my Cerwin Vegas?

Danny Richie will stick a magnet to those terminals 😅

Can anyone help me out my father had speakers in the mid-seventies to late 70s a 3 way speaker and it had an orange mid-range horn and it and I think it was seated the long ways up and down long ways does anyone have an idea

What makes it stands out from JBL's speaker? Lots of JBL's speaker are also horn speaker right?

The NUMBER #1 Audiophile Program in the Nation! Always a pleasure! - m.

Hi Steve! Are you going to review the new Schiit Urd?

I would have liked to hear a comparison with a pair of Heresy’s.

Love my fortes

Thank You Steve for asking about the Crossover Network (surprised VOLTI is not using solid copper wire) as I am shocked with MANY brands (5 and 6 digits) with Cheesy Parts. Also like to Thank You mentioning the waitlist on the Decware Sarah (I ordered in January 2023) so maybe 2+ years.

Steve,I see you are stealing my bedspreads to make your shirts

Steve how is the deep bass.good,exceptional or average.

How would these compare to Forte IV?

Dear Steve , Belive me I know what is good horn speaker. I use to have a pair a JBL4429, no I have Jbl M2 Refernce mastering monitors!😁👆

The prices in audio is out of control.

Finally.....

pretty sure i saw that tweeter and midrange horn on partsexpress for $15

A rave review for people loving music Steve ! This is within the budget for more people ..........and allows listening with magical lower powerd amplifiers ( the best amplifiers are lower power ! ) Pity I live in Europe .................border taxes and income taxes are as high as 40%+ on goods imported from outside the the tyranical EU................ Thanks !

I like to consider myself a patient person but 2 years or more to wait for a product is a lifetime to some in this hobby with how much they go through gear. As a company, with that ki d's waitlist, I would be stepping up my production (of course without compromising o yoir product). Which is easier said than done. Nice review of this speaker but that kinda $$$ for a speaker that looks like a kit or diy vide to it is a lot. I wish more was me ruined about the drivers. Are they made from sctraxh by the company? Built to their specs from another driver manufavters? Or modified existing off the shelf drivers? The crossover did look impressive as I don't see hardly anyone doing point Ito point wiring any ore. Unless your in the diy speaker building. Thanks for the review!

How does this compare to Cornwall IV?