Ohm Walsh Micro Talls: who's actually heard 'em?

Well, I've just found this thread. Around '04 I was looking for some new speakers. I first bought a pair of Shahinian Obelisks- new. My rig was McIntosh MCD205/C45/MC252. Cut to the short, the Shaninians had a mid-range suck out I wasn't willing to live with, so I sold them and took a not too bad hit financially.

I tried the Ohm 100 (current model at that time) based on their in-home trial policy as I didn't want to get burned again. The 100s were chosen as they were the recommended the right size for my room.

All I could say was "Wow!!" Incredible sound for around $1400 IIRC- a fraction of what the electronics cost! I had owned/sold/reviewed about 35 pairs of speakers (up to $10k) and listened to at least that many more speakers in 35 years of audio and the Ohms were my personal favorites. They handled all types of music well and played loud, soft, in between. The Ohms did it all. Even when paired with much more expensive McIntosh electronics, they held their own. I was in nirvana.

As things go a number of events: a move, adopting 5 yr old twins, mother-in-law moving in resulted in my losing my music room. I now had to use the family room for music. The Ohm 100 were way to small and I couldn't afford the $$$ for a new larger pair (my audio "mad money" was now going for the kids' educ, inevitable braces, etc). I ended up selling them and building some nice corner speakers using GPA 604 and I enjoy them, but often wonder what the new Ohms would sound like.

I still believe the Ohms are one of the best speakers out there and when you factor in their low prices, they are a steal.

Nice to see this thread is still going. I had the Micros and was blown away by their sound! I exchanged for a larger Ohm 100- and now 3000. Utterly captivating in their sound.

Mapman. What ICs do you like with the Ohms? I had been using LAT ICs and speaker wire with nice sound.

Mapman. The 3000 are on the way from Ohm. I moved to a different house and am using different amps. I needed to go with the 3000 as my listening room has about 2X the volume of my old room.

But here’s the thing.I’ve owned/reviewed the following speakers over the past 40 years: Wharfedale W60, EPI 150, Braun L710, DCM Time Window, Spendor SP1/2, Mirage M3-si, Monitor Audio Studio 6, APL Serenade, JM Labs Daline 3.1, Micron Karat, Wisdom Audio 50, Clements 206di, Shamrock Eire, Equation 7, 9, Silverline S12, SR15, SR17, Panatella, Sonatina, Sonata, Galante Rhapsody, SAP Quartete, Klipschorn, Klipsch Belle, Heresy, KG4, Shahinian Obelisk, Omega Super 3, Harbeth C7II, Lamhorn, Altec Valencia, JM Reynaud Twin, Trente, Offrande, Magneplanar 1.2, GPA 604-8H, Ohm Micro Walsh, 100, ...

IMO, the Ohms are on the top of the heap.

I’ll be sure to post an update once I get them, etc.

I should also add countless other speakers I’ve heard on my trips to CES, Stereophile show, etc.

Bondman and Mapman. I am quite familiar with the Silverline as I reviewed the SR17 for SoundStage!, worked a couple shows with Alan and sold the line when I had my shop. Absent a couple of duds which were short lived, Silverline makes some really excellent loudspeakers.

I can’t say the Ohms are “better” because the Ohms, being a quasi-omni are a different type of speaker with a different presentation- a presentation I personally prefer and I think many other folks would too.

Congrats on your find. I remember the Ohms from my college days in the early/mis 70s too, but all I could afford were the EPI 150s.

I think stabilizing the Ohms whichever way you can will help the performance. I used a Symposium knock-off under my 100s and noticed improved focus, I will use the same under the 300s when they arrive this week.

Your pre-/amps should be fine.

Have fun!

Correction. I’m getting the 3000. speakers.

I had the Micros in the past (loved them), then the 100 (loved those too) and now the 3000. Really love them.

You need to give the Ohms at least 25 hours to start breaking in. Before that they will sound congested, no soundstage, ie, the sound is stuck to the speakers- like you’d experience with a table radio, and limited in hight and low frequency extension. So I’d hold off on posting impressions prior to 25 hours. About 100 hours in they will really sing. I’m blown away at how my 3000s sound.