Ohm Acoustics Walsh F-5015 speakers

Those 5015's sure are impressive. I wonder how they compare to other big speakers as far as sound pressure levels go? Thanks for sharing pics

Hi blueranger,

One of my mono block just let me down this week, but when I get it back I will try them with another pair of speakers equipped with a Scanspeak 10" woofer and let you know how it feels pressure wise. I can already tell you though that they will not withstand the comparison.

Spacer

I have no doubt that the Walsh 5000 generation of Ohm speakers is a stellar performer. It's just that as an Ohm F owner (I retired them many years ago, although I did set them up out of curiosity a few years ago) the "F" is far more about the pure Walsh driver...not the cabinet. And while my current speakers (like the 5000) are far superior to the F's in almost all meaningful ways there are some attributes the F brought to the table that are not easily matched (in my experience) or perhaps not even measurable, let alone exceeded, such as coherency/"seamlessness" .....and that vaunted soundstage that is as close to live that I can recall (outside of a well executed/high quality 5.0 music system). These are singular attributes of a true unfettered omni directional single driver. Indeed, if it weren't for it's well documented limitations of dynamic range/deep bass I could probably happily live with them today.

For me the "F" model has a certain "reverence" attached to it. So, when I got the Columbus sale email from Ohm Speakers that the "F" name had been resurrected I was naturally excited and was hoping that Ohm had figured out a way to incorporate a modern version of the pure Walsh driver most likely with a sub woofer (such as German Physiks, or Huff) but no seperate tweeter. And for only $10,000!!!

So, yes even though the Walsh 5000 is a great speaker I was disappointed to learn that the "F" designation was due solely only to the inclusion of the Ohm F cabinet and not an improved implementation of the Walsh driver technology over the 5000 series. In my opinion Ohms new flagship should be called the Walsh 5015 I assume the subwoofer is a 15" driver). For me the "F" designation is simply "not right".

Robert C. Lang

"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.

****Maybe OHM should retire the F name, like a baseball hall of famer's # is retired?***

Well, I don't agree with that. But I believe it would have been more "fitting" if the "F" designation would have been saved for a speaker that employed an "F" like Walsh driver, a speaker closer to the original in presentation and implementation. Why re-brand the 5000 with the "F" designation over a cabinet? Otherwise, any and every speaker that Ohm Speakers have produced since the "F" that employ the quasi Walsh technology (non omni variations with a tweeter) could also have the "F" designation. Why now and why with the 5000? It's about marketing.

Look, this ain't that big of a deal, not at all. But I and several others I have spoken to find the "F" designation for the 5000 to be misleading, if only benignly so. Like I say this is marketing, no sin in that.

I might add that I and others quickly figured out that the 5015 was employing the 5000 driver and not an unfettered "F" like driver when Ohm Speakers kept this new "F" under wraps. Because Strohbeen knows that an Ohm speaker, especially, that employed an improved, more efficient, F like Walsh driver would generate excitement with significant ripples throughout the entire audio community. If it worked, the new "F", like the original, would be an emblematic flagship for Ohm speakers and not merely a flagship.

****I have no desire to live with the limitations of the originals in this day and age despite the unique attributes of the originals.***

Absolutely! Indeed, I replaced my "Fs" almost two decades ago (although I still own them). And I'm sure that the 5015 is truly a great decision. The 5000 on down the line are also "unique" in that they employ variations of the Lincoln Walsh invention. And from what I have heard they are all exemplary performers.

Robert C. Lang

P.S. did you employ your orginal "Fs" up until you got the 5015 upgrade? Or did you have them in storage?