Are Ohm Walsh's a step up from Martin Login Electro Motion ESL's

I added a pic to my virtual system that shows Ohms on Subdude pads in family room with placement not too far off from OPs.

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9811

...and yes it sounds good with coherent soundstage even on that chair right up front to the left. 😊

I have absorption panels on walls at first reflection points with my larger Ohms which are highly tuned in. Smaller ones in family room sound great with no special treatments. I would assert Ohms are hard to beat for easy placement for good sound but still respond highly to tweaking if the goal is to get them totally dialed in. Ymmv in regards to setup and how much time you spend to get them totally dialed in.

See this diagram that shows dispersion pattern of Ohm Walsh CLS driver and how levels are attenuated in wall facing directions to avoid early reflections and allow placement closer to walls and corners. 
 

Hey Doug you know the Ohm Walsh are not true Omni right? If they were definitely not in corners. But they are designed to go closer to walls than many. Still I have never landed on a corner placement with my Ohms by choice . Can work but may not be optimal placement for them . In general Ohm Walsh are easy to place for good results but there is always still such a thing as optimal placement if possible in one’s particular case.

Big difference between ohm and ML dispersion being just one. Both are good speakers subject to preference and what works best in each case. So I would be cautious about using the term "a step up". Either might do very well if set up properly. The ohms clearly solve the sweet spot problem though versus ml. Trying to play with toe in or no toe in is a good idea always.

Auralec Subdude just make sure big enough for those MLs. Available off Amazon not expensive and should be returnable. I’m thinking it would help clean up bass that can also Obscure midrange detail if needed. Hardwood floor coverings especially on suspended plywood floor structure common with upper levels of many homes can be rough acoustically. Carpet on floor in front of speakers can also help if needed.

check my system pics that show my ohm 100s with 8" drivers on Auralec Subdude pads in family room on second level of my house  

Corner placement boosts bass. With Ohm Walsh probably a small model maybe even microwalsh may be best. You could add a sub at location of your choice if even needed. Run it by the folks there they have a good rep as straight shooters and won’t try to sell you something you don’t need.

Btw if it were me I would want to try some isolation pad under the MLs from the look of the floor. Not a big room so smaller Ohms would probably do it were you to go that way. Iso pads under those as well probably from the looks.

Could be just what the doctor ordered. I coveted Quad ESL sound but bigger and more dynamic and that is what the Ohm Walshes delivered. Plus it’s a no brainer regarding Ohm sweet spot versus ESL.