Ohm FRS-15 v. Ohm Walsh 2

Well, if they are in good operating order, you won't find anything else I can think of for $350 that can even come close to doing what those will even with older Walsh CLS drivers out of the gate.

ALso, local pickup is good insurance because the larger Walsh speaks can be difficult to ship reliably in one piece without detaching the drivers and shipping each speak in 3 boxes (1 each for cabinet, driver and grill).

The FRs 15s upgrade to 200 drivers,which are larger than the 100 drivers used in 2's. For your room, and configuration, that could be beneficial.

SOunds like the stars are aligning pretty well for these with you!

The FRS line used vinyl wrapped cabinets and we were able to give more sound for the money. The FRS 15 was the top of that line with a driver most similar to the Walsh 3XO in a much bigger cabinet (allowing deeper bass).

$350 is a great price although we have had to do our $250/pair maintenance on few pairs in recent years -- listen for noise on bass transients.

They should sound good in both rooms. You may angle them to have the super-tweeters fire at each other and boost the treble slightly.

Good Listening!

John Strohbeen
President
Ohm Acoustics.

Thanks again, guys. Maybe last questions before... plunge? Priceless help! (1) I have a new 80w NAD 317 amplifier (from AG; nice but made my Poks bright; other NADs in system). Enough to drive FRS-15s happily? Saw some comments that under 100w had some struggles and 200+W really opened things up. The NAD can be power-amped and used a pre-amp, but that seems like wasted $s. (2) If one needed to choose b/n a good, used 2 or an FRS-15, which to choose? For my room, any room? Why choose one over other? That is, putting vinyl/wood and size views aside as personal/cost preferences. 54"! WAF to be dealt with... Vinyl wood clad might be issue. [Man-oh-man, more and more Qs keep popping up... like why this one so tall and difference it makes? That doesn't count as one of my real Qs... lol.] (3) Lots of information on 2s, basically NONE on FRS-15. And I've researched online very hard. Why? Frustrating. Can you cite an FRS-15 review? Lull in Ohm/coverage at that time? Sold too few of these? Odd. (4) Feedback...? With 2s selling for $250-$400, $350 for FRS-15 seems high. This one listed awhile now and previously. Maybe wait for 2s... Some concern over value, resale, etc. esp. since I've never even heard an Ohm. (5) Re informatin on FRS-15s, as far as I can tell, this thread is now foremost info on topic! (6) As always, THANKS! Invaluable.

Marcus,

The larger drivers in the FRS 15s and taller cabinet compared to Walsh 2 should provide more "meat on the bones" and have more impact in the low end in a larger area like yours and bass extension beyond the Walsh 2s down into the 30hz range according to the ohm site specs.

The taller cabinets might make a difference in the height your ears must listen from for best results.

With a well matched amp, the Walsh drivers tend to sound most balanced and detailed when you listen from a vertical position in front of or somewhat above the can as a result of the shape and orientation of the Walsh driver inside .

The tonal balance can change and sound less bright and detailed if listening from a lower position than the drivers, I have found.

FRS series are less common than Walsh series I believe in that they were produced during the period when OHM was shifting away from the audio store distributor business model they used to have going into the 90's and to their current buy direct model.

I think I read somewhere the shift from pyramidal WAlsh series cabinets to more recent more rectangular cabinets was to help keep production costs in line.

PErsonally, I like the look of the older pyramid shaped cabinets but the newer cabinets appear to have a smaller footprint which may be of benefit to some.

Thanks, btw, to Mapman and Mr. Strohbeen. Ohm 2s or FRS-15s as well as MMGs are in my near future.