OHM 3XO Factory Rebuild

@johndel1960 

I get the tubes thing.  I tend to like some of that sound also.  I've used a tubed pre-amp with a solid state amp sometimes.  But I just downgraded my electronics a bit to use the cash somewhere else.  So, I am running some Nelson Pass designed ADCOM pieces (GFP 750 and GFA 5800) for now.  Vintage, but Pass tends to at least give a little of that tube flavor even to solid state components.  I suspect at some point I could go to a Tube/SS hybrid integrated amp (possibly a modwright 225i as used pricing comes down).  

But, I do think if you give those drivers some bigger solid state power you will get more bass out of them, but I get liking what tubes do to the midrange and top end.  

All part of the hobby.

With my 5000s, I’m using a Rogue Cronus Magnum II.  Plenty of power and chest thumping bass and kick drum.  Talking to the folks at Rogue, they said Ohm used one their amps for a show once.

Dep14

Thanks for the input. I have moved them around a bit, but have generally have kept them in the same location before and after the rebuild., 10-12” out from the wall

You are correct that the mids and highs are now more present in the soundstage, that’s why I added a sub for that little extra low HZ push. 

I have a ‘78 vintage PIONEER SA1000 that I put in service all last week for comparison. Keeping the tone knobs at neutral, the  bass was about the same.       I did add a little bass and it did help. The SA has other tone controls that augmented the overall sound, which I found very interesting. But I feel the tube amp gives me the “sound” I’m looking for. Tube amp now back in service.

I know the Jolida is a decent amp for the $$ and that’s where I wanted to start and will eventually move on to something else. So to those with OHM speakers powered by a tube amp, any recommendations ?  

Music tastes vary from Tower Of Power,Chris Botti, Faith Hill, Chris Stapleton and one of my favorites Marcus King

Appreciate all the input…what a great hobby

I am a big fan of OHM’s. In fact I just refurbed a set of Walsh 5 LE’s using the latest 5.5000 drivers.

In reading through your post. A couple of thoughts. It sounds like you still have the same woofers as they just replaced the surrounds. With the same drivers you should get the “Same” amount of bass. However, if they changed the port tuning, you could get more or less bass, but with deeper extension now. It would depend on the port tuning. Otherwise, as the surround loosens up a bit your bass should improve a tad.

Second thought. If you are using the Jolida tube amp, it wouldn’t be my first thought with OHM’s. More than just about any speaker I’ve owned (and that is a lot of speakers). The OHM’s need power. So, I would give them a little gas for a while with a big old solid state amp (or Class D will be fine).

I do feel that the biggest difference between the original drivers in the Walsh 5LE’s and the new 5.5000’s is the midrange is much, much better. I also prefer the soft dome tweeter in the current speakers. I’ve had a few generations of OHM’s over the years. I’m not a fan of metal tweeters in general.  If the midrange is more prominent after their tuning, then you might feel like you hear less bass also.

You could also just push them back 6 inches towards the wall. OHM’s really change their bass presentation based on location to the wall. I have some older Walsh 1’s also. It cracks me up how much bass they can generate when 6-8 inches off the rear wall and with a big old Adcom 5800 pushing them around.

If you don’t have a solid state.  Run down to guitar center and pick up a crown amp and give it a whirl.  They aren’t perfect, but they have a crap ton of power cheap and a liberal return policy.

I had the Ohm E’s a hundred years ago and the sound definitely changed (got better) for a few hundred hours before they totally settled in.

@frazeur1 *G* Somebody's gotta keep the dust bunnies enslaved around here...

Everything improves after break-in, even my diy Walsh....can't 'pre-break' the subject drivers, since they get Frankenstiened back to 'new'. *L*

Been busy, honeydo list still expanding like the universe....

Thanks for the shout, J

@johndel1960 Glad that you are enjoying your rebuilt 3XO's! They are fun speakers to listen to. I owned a pair back around 2007 or so, refinished the cabinets and then had the 3000 driver upgrade. I kept the original drivers and redid the foam surrounds on them to have as spares, but it also gave me some time to do some comparisons with the new 3000 drivers too. 

I thought the 3000 update was an improvement overall, and liked them a bit more than the original drivers. Yet there seemed to me to be something very good with the original driver that I enjoyed, once the surrounds were replaced and all working well, it just seemed that they were more lighter and quicker on their feet so to speak. It took me awhile to really get a handle on the "sound" of them, especially after a somewhat seemingly long, slow break in of the new 3000 drivers. 

I really like Ohms, and enjoy omni-directional types of speakers more than the typical monkey coffins that hurl music right at you. Omni types just seem more natural to my ears for the long haul. I no longer have Ohms, enjoying Duevel omni's for the last 4-5 years now, would certainly have another pair again though if the situation came about. 

Have fun, enjoy your music, that is what it is all about. Always nice to read about Ohms and omni's though, no matter the brand. 

@asvjerry Always good to see you still lurking around, hope all is well with you!

@mapman Comments like this make me smile.. ;)

+2 mapman, The speakers take time to break in and the bass in particular will improve in time. Really enjoying my 3000s

Ohm speakers are fantastic and I hope to own a pair of the 1000's some day. I agree with mapman give those new drivers some time to break in. Enjoy!

My 5000 upgrade improved for months.

Nice to hear.  The bass might flesh out some over time.