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Can NOLA's "Boxer" compete with big floorstanders?

I am probably going to have to sell a large floorstander speaker which is very good, and replace it with a smaller speaker. I have considered Totem Hawks and Forests which are too expensive even used; also, Ohm Acoustics M-1000; NOLA "Boxer"; the Sonist Recital 3. and Martin Logan ESL-Electro Motion hybrids.

I like the Hawks, Ohms, the NOLA "Boxer" and the Logans; I am sure there are other monitor or small floorstanders out there that can complete with many expensive floorstanders, but I do not have access to much speaker variety in the Hawaii high-end audio market.

Therefore, would appreciate input on all or even some of the above speakers, especially the NOLA, Martin Logans, and Totem Hawks.....the Ohm-Walsh Omni's are good and satisfying to listen to, but have only fair to moderate imaging and and average accuracy..... Thank you
sunnyjim

Showing 3 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,698 posts
 
IF you are auditioning the OHMS, be sure to allow adequate break-in time. Giving them some volume with a suitably beefy SS amp will help expedite that. Setup relative to walls is also important for the best imaging and soundstage.

OHMs set up well will never sound like a box design in regards to imaging and soundstage in most rooms. Its a different kind of presentation that one will either take to or not. VEry competitive with the better big floorstanders I have heard though and I have no envy there.

MLs I have heard are quite different as well but in their own unique way as well.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,698 posts
 
Sunny,

Chances are you are not going to take to the OHMs with teh perspective that room filling sound is "gimmicky". Only in relation to the traditional box design. How is sound coming out of a box not a gimmick? Is that how sound works in the real world?

Omni's definitely take some time to get used to because they are inherently different. Once you "get" them though, it can be hard to ever go back, which can be a scary thing.

Starting off with them as an alternate to a more conventional design is a great way to test the waters over time and see.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,698 posts
 
"I will acknowledge that some of the soundstage is probably created by the speakers and the room they're in rather than an exact reproduction of the recorded venue, but there is still good image location and palpability within that soundstage, maybe not as pinpoint as with a traditional speaker but perhaps more like what you'd hear in real life. "

I would agree with this. I have heard some accurately describe it as taking the sound would would hear in the original venue as recorded and adapting that to your listening room. I think that accurately describes it and to me represents the best strategy for reproducing what you might hear live in your totally different room at home. It is not about sounding like traditional box/directional designs at all so I endeavor to not even go there except perhaps in comparison of specific aspects to other models.
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