I have commented about this topic on other threads before. All the omnidirectional speakers you listed have their advantages and weaknesses, like any other speaker. One you should add to your list is Larsen, made in Sweden. They are a modern version of the old Sonab speakers. I sold these for a few years and customers love them.
I love classical music and now that we are empty nesters I find myself listening more to classical music of all types. My Coherent and Omega single drivers are great for small ensembles but can't quite pull off large orchestras and complex music. Zaftig mezzo sopranos wearing horned helmets on the women on single drivers? Naaa (a technical term of rejection).
Having said that, I just purchased a pair of completely restored Shahinian Obelisks and I'm blown away at how wonderful they sound. I had heard Obelisks years ago and files them away in the "good speaker" compartment of my brain. I bought them on a whim and after a week I'm sure (well, pretty sure) that I will keep them forever. AND my wife actually loves the way they look; or at least that's what she says but she also has been hinting about a new car...
I don't have recent experience with Ohm or Decware and I don't have any experience with Duevel. But my summary comparison to the Larsen 6s or 8s is that the Shahinian Obelisks present similarly but more so. The Larsens painted a large sound picture on the wall behind the speakers, in bright watercolor paint. The Obelisks are much more 3D (some say holographic) and the picture is painted in oil and has significant texture. Right now I'm listening to Isaac Stern and the New York Philharmonic play Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major. I am very familiar with this piece of music and it's like I'm hearing it for the first time. I played some other stuff earlier today: jazz, bluegrass, classical guitar, Grateful Dead - all great. I haven't tried Nine Inch Nails yet but maybe tomorrow.
I love classical music and now that we are empty nesters I find myself listening more to classical music of all types. My Coherent and Omega single drivers are great for small ensembles but can't quite pull off large orchestras and complex music. Zaftig mezzo sopranos wearing horned helmets on the women on single drivers? Naaa (a technical term of rejection).
Having said that, I just purchased a pair of completely restored Shahinian Obelisks and I'm blown away at how wonderful they sound. I had heard Obelisks years ago and files them away in the "good speaker" compartment of my brain. I bought them on a whim and after a week I'm sure (well, pretty sure) that I will keep them forever. AND my wife actually loves the way they look; or at least that's what she says but she also has been hinting about a new car...
I don't have recent experience with Ohm or Decware and I don't have any experience with Duevel. But my summary comparison to the Larsen 6s or 8s is that the Shahinian Obelisks present similarly but more so. The Larsens painted a large sound picture on the wall behind the speakers, in bright watercolor paint. The Obelisks are much more 3D (some say holographic) and the picture is painted in oil and has significant texture. Right now I'm listening to Isaac Stern and the New York Philharmonic play Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major. I am very familiar with this piece of music and it's like I'm hearing it for the first time. I played some other stuff earlier today: jazz, bluegrass, classical guitar, Grateful Dead - all great. I haven't tried Nine Inch Nails yet but maybe tomorrow.