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Ohm Micro Walsh small vs. tall

I have the 2000 on order and with John's advice ordered the (wall mount)short Micro Walsh's for surrounds. My couch is against the wall, ear height is about 42"

How do these things look on the wall, is this likely to be a(WAF)problem?, dimensions are: 6Wx7Dx12H.

John reports that the bass on the wall version is less than the floor speakers, so a sub is a must, particularly with surround music. I know I can return them, but since I only ordered yesterday I could change my order for the floor Short or Tall's versions. Can anyone give me some advice, and share experience/opinions about the 3 options?

Main concern with the shorter floor speakers is that it will sound muffled being lower than the couch. I'm currently using Maggie surrounds and they are at ear height and are very detailed.

One other thought: if the wall mounted speakers are the best solution, how high should the bottom of the speaker be above ear height?

Also, based on what I've heard, a center speaker isn't required. Can anyone confirm?

Thanks,

John
jfriswel

Showing 4 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
Shorter Walsh cabinets mean less low end extension. For surround speakers, that should not be an issue assuming bass is handled elsewhere (sub, front speakers).

I think the decision should be made based on utility rather than sound. Wall mounts will save floor space if that is of value and you like the aesthetics. Talls can function standalone in a dedicated music system, but that is not your particular application so it may not matter.

Walsh speakers deliver best/most balanced sound at or somewhat above the level of the driver/can. I would not think you would want to mount Walshes above your listening level in any application.

Also, I think the Walshes are or can be configured inside the can for true omni sound when used for surrounds. Not sure this is beneficial when mounted against a wall. Maybe these are configured differently to emit less sound facing the wall? Not sure. John would be the one to answer these questions.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
Find out where the super tweeters will be mounted. Usually, for 2 channel audio speakers, they are facing forward and inward 45 degrees. Surrounds may have the super tweeter mounted firing up (more omnidirectional).

If mounted forward/inward, then obstacles between them and your ears will attenuate extreme high frequencies to some extent, though most of the frequencies are radiated omni from the Walsh driver so this may not even be noticeable. If mounted full omni (as I suspect they are) then obstacles should not be much of an issue in that all frequencies are radiated omni as John says for the most part.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
Jf,

No I do not do surround and have never heard an OHM surround setup, though I do think they are a natural for surround sound applications.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,636 posts
 
JF,

FWIW, my OHMs replaced a pair of Maggies that I owned for a long time.

I'd go with Johns recommendations to start. Direct exposure is not as critical with omnis as with Maggies, which are highly directional from my experience. You can always change later during the audition period if needed.

FWIW, my OHMs remain quite detailed and coherent even when listening way off access from the supertweeters. Delivering the goods as surrounds should not be much of a challenge for them based on what I have heard with surround sound systems in general.

REgarding SPLS, I've found with teh right amplification that the Walshes go about as loud and clear as anyone might want and still have their ears survive.
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