Compounds in design are more efficient with draw weight to speed ratio. A Horton compound 175 Shoots at 325 FPS and a Excal recurve 200 shoots at 330 FPS. You can get more speed with less draw weight. They are also a little better on the width. But after saying all this I have plans on buying a Excal this late spring or summer. The recurve has less moving parts that can affect your shot and with the recurve you do not need a press to service your bow. They are wider, but when cocked it is only three more inches I think. That may not be everything but its what I have been told and read on the net.