Most older conventional box OHMs from the Marty Gersten/ pre-John Strohbeen era had more forward mid range as I recall. I still have my OHM Ls though I've refurbed them a bit and same still holds true there. |
"Sure they are powerful, but I now start to believe that they are also capable of generating the most subtle nuances at all frequency levels."
That's an attribute I would attribute to my F5 series 3 models as well, so no surprise to me there with the newer and even more beefed up 5015s. |
Probably some form of 5000 drivers in refurbed OHM F cabinets. The $9000 + price would indicate something more than that, which is the largest driver in some of the largest cabinets. Maybe an additional 15" sub woofer or two.
I have OHM F5 speakers (see my system pics) which are the prior generation 5 series 3 drivers in refurbed OHM F cabinets. Those listed for $5500 ($500 less than new Walsh 5 series 3 speakers) and I acquired those during a similar sale a few years back.
I suppose only John Strohbeen knows what they are for sure. I doubt they are any major new revision or style of Walsh driver though. John has stated thecurrent X000 series is evolutionary not revolutionary sounding. |
I see John posted some more info on the F 5015s on the OHM website but still no pictures. |
Gotta be very heavy! My f5 series 3 are already but are on castors, which really helps with tweaking placement and moving when needed. |
Maybe these are game changers for those looking to spend $10K+ on new speakers? Could they set a new bar perhaps given the scope of the design and the use of refurbished OHM F cabinets to keep costs down?
These are by far the most expensive OHMs ever. Lots of bang for the buck though. The old OHM Is were a similar attempt perhaps to take things to a new level all within in a single speaker cabinet. |
One could always add their own separate powered subwoofers if desired.
I wonder if the same 4 3-way level adjustment switches are provided for the 5015s? One on my 5s is for room size which equates to low bass levels. Or are more sophisticated level adjustment controls typical of larger higher end powered subs needed or used?
It would be nice to have everything integrated into a single cabinet on casters. Those F cabinets are quite heavy and bulky to start with.
Also I wonder if the 5015s are bottom ported still like most other OHM Walsh CLS models? |
I'm anxious to hear the results of the F versus F test! :^) |
Spacer,
Given original Fs are full omni and full range and new OHMs generally produce lower levels in wall facing directions, and use a more directional tweeter above 7khz or so, I am guessing that each may sound best with somewhat different placement in the room relative to walls and listening location(s). |
Spacer, what is the rest of your system?
Thx + happy turkeyday! |
Spacer,
That's quite a setup, even for a sizable room!
I think OHM is mostly interested in the cabinets for restore and future sale. You might be able to keep the F drivers if desired. Worth checking perhaps. |
"I'll hazard a guess those fine Walsh drivers won't be appreciated too much longer."
The cabinets will likely get recycled with newer drivers for some future buyer looking to save some money compared to new cabinets. I am a fan of those older pyramid shaped cabinets myself.
Maybe if someone were interested and contacted John, he would sell the drivers sans warranty for a reasonable price if the condition and value can be established within reason.
i can't imagine a pair of OHM F drivers in good working condition not having some value, but I do not know what is required to establish level of functionality and value accordingly in that in that all are old and have had third party work done on them prior most likely if still in good general working order. It likely takes some special expertise just to appraise the operating condition and value properly I would think. |
Spacer,
If possible, I would love to see some photos of the 5015s, including cans, hoods, layout of controls, etc. Maybe a quick system post with some pics? Might be hard to photo the bottoms where the subs would be visible as I understand it, though. |
The only way on Audiogon I know of is to create a virtual system and post them there. |
Spacer, btw, if you set up a virtual site so we can see the pics, you can always delete it later at any time if desired. Or keep it and build it out over time if desired.
LOoking forward to seeing those f5015s in all their glory...... |
Spacer, problem with email is Audiogon no longer provides a way for members to correspond directly without a user posting their email address in public, which I prefer not to do.
There is no special functionality on agon for a temporary virtual system. You could create a virtual system here on agon, and post the pictures there. You can then delete it at any time as desired.
OR if you are comfortable posting your email address to this thread, I will then respond, but its totally up to you if you want to do that.
Whatever works best, or not. I'd like to see the pics but do not feel obligated to post if too much trouble. I'll survive! :-) |
Spacer, I see it and posted comment.
IT will be interesting to see where John goes with the concept, ie if he will introduce a similar all new 5000 model with powered subs built in rather than relying on recycled F cabinets. He does do a lot of custom work by customer request, so it is possible that these might fall into the special request category.
The taller can for the 5000 driver is interesting. I wonder if there is anything different about the CLS configuration inside or if that is just to more emulate the form of the original F driver? I'm guessing the 5000 driver is the same, but perhaps sit higher and more room is needed in there below to integrate the subs in particular.
I'm assuming the 5015s are not bottom ported with the subs like the subless 5000s are? |
"How is its "presentation" compared to the classic F? Is it more like the Walsh 5 class with a more powerful low end? Or does it up the ante throughout the frequency range for resolution (especially) as well as for dynamic range?"
Rx, my understanding is that current X000 series in general does that relative to the originals of which Walsh 5 (series 1) was the largest. Having owned original Walsh 2s for years prior to obtaining my two newer pair based on last generation series 3 drivers, I can vouch that this was accomplished with series 3. Newer series 4/X000 series is advertised to take things somewhat further, "evolutionary but not revolutionary".
F5015 then appears to be mostly about adding the powered subs onboard to base level 5000 driver in refurbed OHM F cabinets. That obviously has mostly to do with bass levels, especially in larger rooms. |
"For me the "F" designation is simply "not right"."
My opinion is OHM is very consistent. Names of refurbished models (offered for less than equivalent with new cabinets) are based on a combo of original cabinet and new driver names. Hence mine are F5 series 3 and Walsh 2 series 3 for example.
Maybe OHM should retire the F name, like a baseball hall of famer's # is retired?
Also note that the cabinets come from owners who willingly trade in their originals towards new models for significant discount.
Just trying to paint the entire picture,in the interest of fairness.
From My perspective, I am thrilled to own speakers using modern drivers in refurbished F cabinets. Its the best of both worlds for me. I have no desire to live with the limitations of the originals in this day and age despite the unique attributes of the originals.
|
"I believe (don't know for sure) the W5000/W4000 series are 2 way designs with the Walsh driver supplemented with a tweeter that kicks in at around 12,000 Hz. I suspect that the crossover is of a first order design although perhaps you can offer some clarification on that."
Tweeter kicks in at ~ 7khz as I understand it. Not sure about crossover type.
"The W5015, I believe is a 3 way design with tweeter, Walsh driver, and 15 inch built in amplified sub woofer that crosses over at 80 Hz. Is the cabinet sealed, ported, or some other design? "
Yes, 3 way as described. Not sure about crossover point or controls ie similarly adjustable or not to an outboard sub or more fixed. Spacer might know or I would have to study the pics of teh controls he provided further to venture a guess.
I suspect the cabinet is sealed and not ported like other Walsh CLS designs, in that sub would relinquish benefits of a portm but not certain. Spacer would know. If not ported, that would be a first in the Walsh CLS line I believe and more like original OHM F.
"Also, the inference seems to be that the 5015 is audibly smoother in the upper frequencies than the 5000/4000 series. This suggests that there have been improvements/changes over the 5000 driver which go beyond just the addition of that awesome subwoofer. Is it known what these changes may be? Or could it be that that the Walsh drive does not have to carry as heavy a workload (because of the subwoofer) in the 5015 that it peforms better."
My understanding is it is a standard configuration 5000 driver used based on the descriptions I have read, but John Strohbeen might be the only one to know for sure. Also, I believe he has indicated it is currently a prototype, so details could change.
One of the benefits IMHO of the standard 2-way Walsh CLS driver (all generations) is that the Walsh driver does most of the work and CLS design seems to minimize demand on the tweeter. This helps account for the Walsh CLSs ability to go very loud seemingly with little or no compression (with enough power behind them), breakup or distortion, that I have observed both with originals from the 80's and the newer descendants.
Adding powered subs to any speaker otherwise pretty much always translates to further lowering the demand on the rest. German Physiks uses this approach with their DDD Walsh driver. I know other OHM Walsh owners (MartyKL for one)have expressed considerable success using external subs with other OHM Walsh speakers, especially to help enable the OHMs to perform well off of tube amplification.
I use an external powered M&K sub with my Walsh 2 series 3 OHMs running of 180w/ch SS Tube Audio Design 125 Hibachi monoblocks in my large open family room/kitchen area. The sub crossover frequency and level setting is minimal with the OHMS, compared to how set with my other monitor speakers I have used the sub with from time to time.
The sub definitely adds something, but I could probably live without it. THat room is fairly big but not huge and is my second system where I do not do as much critical listening. |
