Hello all. I've read this thread all of the way through, and d have really enjoyed it! A person can learn about all sorts of things. Speakers themselves, electronics, room treatment, and music, to name the most obvious.
Here's where I am: 13 year old NHT 2.9's that have served me well, but aren't doing it for me any more. I went from NHT 2.5's to the bigger brothers, so have lived with NHT sound for almost twenty years.
I am looking at speakers in two completely different directions. Either the Ohm or Decware omnis, or an active system like the Emerald Physics. My electronics are digital, a modded Pioneer DVAX10, one of the first all-format players, ARC LS-16 pre, and ARC HD-220 hybrid amp. I think I've got electronics covered either way, so...
Has anyone listened to these two speakers side by side? They will do double duty as HT speakers as well, and that gives me some pause when it comes to getting a matching center with the Emeralds.
I've made about a dozen CD purchases while reading this thread, my favorite is Porcupine Tree, Deadwing. Really great! |
I forgot to mention that I spoke with John at Ohm, and it really is as you guys say: he is very interested, personal, and seems like he'll go the extra mile for you. I think the Emeralds are mail order from one dealer, based in Hawaii. That gives me just a little pause as well. I really seam to be pointing myself towards the Ohms! Still, anyone who has heard both care to comment?
Thank you!
James |
Hello, Mapman. Thank you very much for your response. I called John just a few minutes ago and he's setting up some 300-5000's for me, the older cabinets and the newest drivers. I figure some adjustability should help me get things right. So... In a month or so, I'll be part of the fold! I really hope I like the sound, and I'm cautiously optimistic, though I know it may take me a bit to get my head wrapped around the new sound presentation. I imagine I'll be playing with placement and room treatment for some time, but I'm really looking forward to it. First new speakers in more than a dozen years!
I have quite a bit reading to do.
As to more Porcupine Tree, I think my "new music" budget has been seriously curtailed for a bit!
James |
I agree, an audio club would be great. Anyone near Kansas City? The closest I've come is some work buddies that come up for a listen, or more frequently, a movie. Felt pretty good (after the initial, "whaaaat?") when one of them said," Nope, I could never have this."
I was a bit crestfallen when I asked him why.
He said, "Because I'd never come out of my basement!"
It's all about perspective and what we get used to.
I'm not looking forward to the break-in. Okay, maybe a little. But ultimately, the result.
I will keep reading and searching.
Thanks guys. |
Well, I've ordered the 300-5000's! Ready to go, should be shipped tomorrow and I'll receive mid next week. Excited. Worried. Heck, I have not listened to anything except my NHT'S in about thirteen years! No audio shows or clubs. No auditions at high end stores. I'm figuring out how to reconfigure my room, as John said it's likely a bit too dead the way I have it set up. Should be fun, right? This thread is incredible!! I'll let you know. Oh, today I learned that I'll likely be furloughed. So. Awesome. No pay raise in four years, and now a pay cut. Excellent. Thank you Sir, may I have another! Sorry guys, had to spout. |
Thank you, Gents. I apologize for my brief previous rant.
UPS shows Tuesday as delivery day for the Ohms. Yippee!! We've got so much snow around that I hope UPS ventures out.
As to the NHT's, they are a bit bright, so I'll have to get used to a sound that might at first strike me as slightly muted or dull. This is where I hope that the 30 minute auditory memory window really is true!
I'll keep you guys posted. |
They. Are. Here. Black 300-5000's.
First bit. I do not possess the degree advanced enough that would allow me to repack these puppies, so I hope they work out. Nice UPS guy, but I'm very glad these things come packed as they do. It really is Russian nesting dolls.
Second, HUGE sound stage, but can't get the middle locked right now. I know I have some work to do. I know the sound will change as they break in, but I don't think the presentation will change very much. I could be wrong there.
Speakers are in a fairly dead room, with 3/16 felt, in undulating waves, to 25 feet from the front wall, room is 31 feet deep total. Right speak is 3 feet from right wall and 7 from front. Left is 2 feet from left wall and 4 from front, due to equipment rack behind it. Speaks are 7 feet apart and ten feet to where my head is when I listen. All measurements are within a couple of inches either way of stated, to speaker center. Oh, there is a 65' DLP between them, flush with the rear of the speakers.
Tough room, eh?
So... Get rid of waves in the felt for some more reflectivity? Speakers wider? Me further? More of an equilateral triangle? Speakers more in front of TV to bounce sound? Maybe some more time to acclimate?
Wow, listening to Conan the Barbarian soundtrack, original movie, new recording by the Prague Philharmonic. If you guys don't know this, you must try it.
I think I'm going to like these! |
Well now. Discovered one little trouble that, when remedied, has helped tremendously. Setting up the HT, Audyssey shows, "Front L out of phase". Huh. Wired em up just like my old ones. Double checked. Swapped red and black on FL, and BAM Baby. There's my center. And my bass!
If red is right on each speaker connection, then they wired the left out-of- phase. No biggie. I can definitely wrap my head around this! Four hours and counting. |
Thanks Map. I'll be livening up the room this week. I'll talk to John, but I think it's just a black red binding post issue. Things came right into focus when I swapped wires, and nothing else changed. A good start, and it only gets better as things settle in, right? |
I am second day in, (32 hrs), and they are staying. Fantastic. The wife agrees. So, covered on both ends. She's off to grab a CD that she wants to hear. Inception in right now. Pirates earlier, plus Aja Steely, Tori Amos, Sherlock Holmes. Doesn't matter. It's all huge and enveloping. It's loud, but we can talk to each other without really raising our voices. Centered when needed, but big, wide.
I've moved them closer and out. Me like. |
Hello all. Though I'd give it a few days to let things settle before I blather on about how fantastic these new 300-5000's are. Now about 290 hours on them, maybe 5% of that was spent changing CDs or between movies, so call it 275 hours.
They continue to open up and sound lifelike all of the time, though I think I'm currently in one of those gangly teenage phases where things are a little out of sync. Certain parts of vocals and instruments are pushed forward right now, but as some of you guys went through this stage and noted that things smooth out, I'm optimistic.
Did you notice that they seem to play louder at a given volume than they used to? I sure do!
These things are on 24/7 right now with a tuner, but I wonder, does any playing at all do them good, or is it to the point that they need real volume to continue to break them in? They reside downstairs, sub-bedroom, so night time volumes are down for sleeping.
On much of my source material I can close my eyes and the whole front of the room is just bathed in sound.
The other night the missus and I grabbed ten of our favorite albums each, and took turns playing songs. She hasn't done this before, so there's another good sign. She's quick to comment on how much she likes them.
I removed all of the wavy felt draped all of the way around the room, and put it back up, though flat this time, for more reflection.
They are about 7 feet apart CTC, and 8 1/2 feet from my listening spot. 18 inches in front of the 65" DLP, and this seems about right, as the center locks in nicely.
All in all, I really like them. Easy to sit and listen for hours at a time with no fatigue. |
Above 450hours now, and the 300-5000's keep getting better.
What happened, did I chase everyone off?
Nothing since 3/17! This may be the longest pause since 2008!
I keep thinking about what else I might try at this price range that might offer what these do. Maggie 3.7's? I think the room's too small, and limited bass.
Emerald physics? I'd have to add another amp and the external active x-over . Which means a call to an electrician for another outlet.
And I'd have to figure out what to run through the Purepower 2000, and what to take out, since I'm at plug capacity.
Geez. And would anything really sound better? |
Well, Ny, this entire thread started with questions about the Walsh Micro tall speaker. They have been almost universally applauded by owners and reviewers alike. They were about $1000 at the time that this thread started. This thread just sort of morphed into a thread that covers many of the various Ohm speakers
The least expensive new speaker currently listed on Ohm's site is the Microwalsh SE. It's at $1400. I'd call and talk to them, that's what I did, and how I saved $1500 over the new 5000s by getting all of the new electronics in an older, but perfect looking cabinet. Mine are a black semi-gloss oak-grained finish. |
