Compression drivers don’t have to sound anything, as always depends upon the driver and how it is used, ime multiple drivers used within the flattest part of their response works pretty well, also front loaded horns if you have the space.
Keith
I'm not sure about that. Compression drivers + horns couple to the air in a different way. Plus you have the issue with HOMS (higher order modes) which Geddes identified. My anecdotal experience is that compression drivers and horns do sound different. It's like some things become more accentuated, especially in the midrange. Horn guys usually interpret this as proof that ordinary hifi drivers smooth it over, but it's equally likely that it's the compression driver/horn combo which accentuates some things extra. I like horns though, and if I had a very big house at my disposal with the possibility to install many different hifi systems, I'm pretty sure at least one of them would have been a oversized horn system.
These are all anecdotal and subjective experiences, of course.