Alnico or ceramic speakers?

I'm starting my next project and just wondering if anyone has any opinions about alnico vs. ceramic speakers for theremin?

I thought alnico speakers the advantage was that they compressed and broke up slightly better at high volume. I dont think thats really as much of an issue with theremin as with guitar. 

You should look at a speaker or speaker/horn set up with a wide frequency response, as the theremin has a greater range than guitar, something that would be appropriate for PA/keyboard use is a general guideline. 

That said, I have never played the theremin through an alnico speaker, so hopefully someone can give a more informed opinion than mine. 

I recently got a very nice old tube PA, so I'm set for amplification.

The classic theremin diamond speaker is just one speaker cone, no horn, so that should work fine, as long it's the right speaker.  I'm thinking a 12" cone in an open-back cabinet.  I'm hoping that ceramic would be the better choice, because they're so much cheaper than alnico.  If you're right about the alnicos' compression, that would be a strike against them as a theremin speaker.

There is a similar debate about guitar pickups using alnico v. ceramic. A tube amp will sound better than a solid-state even with a ceramic speaker! Alnico magnets are often used with high-end speakers, hence the higher price. But sound quality is a very subjective matter, no two beings have the same hearing or the same taste for sound.

Dmi: Here is my "Diamond" speaker build.

http://thereminworld.com/photoalbums/view/14513#14516

I used a 15" Fisher 8 ohm. (Thrift store) I did end up enclosing the back, with vents, for a better sound.

This was my first speaker build, and I know "Nothing" about the "Technical" stuff. IMHO it sounds fine. It comes apart with no tools for portability. (4 pieces.)

IHS ---- Dana

As far as selecting a speaker then for a open backed diamond speaker, from my research you want to select a speaker with a high Qts and a relatively flat frequency response up to around 5Khz. (and of course, depending on what you intend to do, enough efficiency/power handling for it)

Someone who actually built one may have more to offer, I ended up going with a speaker/compression driver 2way design for various reasons. 

"But sound quality is a very subjective matter, no two beings have the same hearing or the same taste for sound."  - roguewave

Double blind and ABX testing can often separate the wheat from the audiophile chaff.  And my god there's a ton of chaff out there.  Some fun links:

http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/05/subjective-vs-objective-debate.html
http://www.head-fi.org/t/486598/testing-audiophile-claims-and-myths
http://seanolive.blogspot.com/2009/04/dishonesty-of-sighted-audio-product.html
http://home.provide.net/~djcarlst/abx.htm
http://eandt.theiet.org/magazine/2011/11/believe-in-better.cfm
http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=16295
http://www.head-fi.org/t/513481/are-blind-tests-bogus-examples-of-blind-tests-with-positive-results
http://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/jitter-does-it-matter.html

As far as open baffle speakers go, Linkwitz has some of the most intriguing designs I've seen (though unfortunately haven't heard).  He equalizes up the bass something fierce to compensate for backwave cancellation.

I think alnico speakers the preferred standpoint was that they compacted and separated somewhat better at high volume. I dont think that is truly as quite a bit of an issue with theremin as with guitar. You should take a gander at a speaker or speaker/horn set up with a wide recurrence reaction, as the theremin has a more noteworthy range than guitar, something that would be fitting for PA/console utilize is a general rule. Reviewsformusicians

Curious to know of any updates here. I've also been looking for the right audio setup including a speaker and if possible Bluetooth headphones for more private listening. That's a little tricky I know but hoping someone on here has advice. There's a lot out there and was thinking if I can get a speaker and use an analog Bluetooth transmitter I might be able to rig the entire setup just the way I want! Thanks in advance.