Ohm Walsh Micro Talls: who's actually heard 'em?
Interesting... there's a guy here on Audiogon right now with a pair of rebuilt Ohm F's (!!!) for $1200! Here's the address: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrfull&1244825082&/OHM-F- He's got some negative thoughts on the current Ohm company, too, which make for interesting reading. |
Yeah, I saw that. A good price if you can pick them up and are truly restored to good working order. That's the tricky part. Many who loved the original Fs are skeptical at best regarding the CLS design that supplanted them. The unique thing about them is that they were single driver full range (to 16-17 Khz anyway) and omni-directional. Thats rarified ground. Pretty much only rebuilt Fs or As and and perhaps one model German Physiks, at most, available these days, as I recall (their horn loaded model). Their achilles heel was that the driver was easily over-driven and damaged. OHM CLS design eliminated that problem by foregoing the top end with the Walsh driver, but for some that is where the magic was, so they will look elsewhere these days. |
Parasound, Good to hear from you. Thanks for asking about my parents. Both are, thank God, on the mend! I shipped the Micro Walshes back to Ohm a couple of weeks ago, but I'll answer your question from memory. The overall sonic character of the Micros and the 100's is remarkably similar. Both have an airy top end, beautiful mids and solid bass. And the soundstaging capabilities of both are tremendous. I doubt that many other speaker designs "energize the room" quite like the Ohms do. They also have a general coherence of sound - a "seamlessness" - that is very pleasing. So how are they different? Mostly I think it's a matter of dynamics and scale. According to John at Ohm, the 100s will play louder with less power than the Micros. Additionally, in a side by side comparison, the 100s have an authority or "solidity" that the Micros don't quite muster. Yet, as I said earlier, their similarities outweigh their differences, so much so that if you're on a budget (and who isn't these days?) I'd audition the Micros first and see how they work in your room. In smallish rooms, they can really get the job done! |
Rebbi, Good to read about your folks. Mine seem to be in the hospital weekly, so I know how it is. I'm pretty sure I'll 'start' with the MWT's. My wife actually likes how they look, especially the size. I do plan on adding a sub- probably the HSU STF-2 or the VTF-1. I'd add a sub no matter which set of speakers I got. In any case I should be able to order them in the next 30 days or so. Down the road, I plan on using the MWT's for surround and get 100's for the mains, assuming I have a larger room to work with when we relocate next year. Thanks again for all the work you did on this thread- along with the rest of the people who chipped in. -P |
Thanks all! They should arrive around the 13th or so. I got them in black to match the rest of my equipment. Again, it boiled down to size. I know the 100's aren't huge, but we move every 2 years or so (military household) and I can never predict how large a room is waiting for me to use. Small and portable as practical is my goal. |
I just got them last night! I'm hoping to post my impressions this weekend. I can say this: Mapman may be understating his love for them. Almost all of my expectations were exceeded during the half-hour I had to listen. Bass, treble extension, clarity, fit and finish are all above average so far. More later, and thanks for asking! -P |
Funny! Parasound, you may be the first to make that assertion about me! Honestly, though, I am not an easily satisfied person when it comes to the sound of my music. I do try to keep a level head and be consistent in what I communicate to others on these things. I have been compared (jokingly?) to Mr. Spock on occasion over the years, so I do tend towards the reserved side I suppose. Many hot chicks dig Spock though, so I never take that comparison negatively! |
Hi all! There seems to be a curse with these speakers- I've had almost no time to just listen to music! But I am right now. 'Starship Trooper' off of Yessongs. I have never heard Chris Squier's bass sound so full and tactile before. I can hear the pick on the strings. Everything seems so balanced and present. I'm even gushing enought to write that they sound bright AND warm at the same time- depends on the instrument and recording situation, I guess. I don't believe in break-in per se, and suspect that's more a function of becoming used to a particular speakers' crossover, coloration and distortion. I have absolutely no complaints about muffled treble or bass. Speaking of bass, that's the thing that I find most unreal. I quit looking for a sub about 15 minutes after hook-up. No need in my room, at this time. If one falls in my lap for an insanely low price, I won't hesitate, but it's certainly not required at this point. Best bass and sound seems to be about 1 foot off the rear wall. Pants don't flap, but I feel it in my chest. Oh! And I'm not even using my main system. A humble Harmon Kardon AVR-20 is driving them. These just shouldn't sound this freaking good! -P |
Yes! Mapman, we've emailed several times and I had no idea you were into Yes. Yes is one of my all time favorite groups! For me "Yessongs" has been the holy grail Yes recordings sice the 70's when I was introduced. I will eventually have a pair of Walsh 5 Series 3 with upgraded drivers and I am looking forward to listening to Yes on them. (in addition to my hard bop) |
Regarding the music of Yes, you might want to get hold of the CD reissue of Fragile on the Rhino label. It features an "early mix" of Roundabout that I actually like much better than the final mix. It's so interesting to hear what they were thinking of doing with that tune before they got to the final mix down... trust me that it sounds wonderful on Ohm speakers. :-) |
These recordings by Yes are very good for separating the contenders from the pretenders in the world of audio playback of rock music. On a different track genre-wide, try some remastered recordings of largely forgotten old Kingston Trio tunes on the Walsh's and then let's talk. The one I can recommend if you can find it is "Absolutely The Best Of The Kingston Trio". "Reverend Mr. Black" (LOVE that tune!), "Scotch and Soda", "Reuben James" and the others are a sterling treat from a different age of music and recordings with stunning sound quality, vocals, and harmonies that are hard to match. I may have a bias in that some of the first records I ever listened to repeatedly as a young kid were by these guys and they definitely had a major impact on me musically at a young age. |
right now I'm listening to Deep Purple 'Made in Japan' I am definitely drawn to live music with the Ohm's. I had an issue with imaging last night while watching TV. Dialogue was coming from both speakers rather than placed in the center. Took measurements a while ago, placed them in an equilateral triangle from our listening position (about 6') and wala!- dialogue in the center. Best bass is still about 6" off the wall, but then soundstage collapses a bit because they are behind the TV and stand. Hence, a sub could be in the future, but still not a necessity. More later. -P |
Sorry all. Someone stole my phone number (I'm serious), and I have no internet at home until we get it resolved. All I had time to do this long weekend is watch a movie. they're not kidding on the Ohm site when they state that a sub is needed for movies. Even my wife commented on it (she's getting spoiled, and notices when something doesn't sound right) Musically, they exceed all expectations. Surprisingly, in the bass. If bass is within their range, it is satisfying and substantive. Below their cutoff frequency, and bass is non-existent. |
For what it's worth, here's my latest update. Right now, I'm just listening to music more than I'm 'listening' to the Ohm's. I simply enjoy listening more than I have in years, and the speakers seem to stay out of the way. I don't know a better way to put it. In comparison, the DefTechs (BP2006) that these replaced seemed to always get in the way of enjoying things musically. I was always aware of them, and never entirely happy. Next phase for me is hooing-up my parasound equipment and hearing what these sound like with 220 watts and high current. After that, a sub for movies. -P |
Yeah, that's what I'm hoping for. According to John, that's what I can expect. Which brings to mind something else that is worth metioning again. Buying the Ohm Micro Walsh Talls gave me something more than a great speaker. It also got me something of an advisor as well. I went with the MWT's due to size, WAF and the fact that I move a lot. John at Ohm supported the decision, but pointed out that the 100-S3's would probably be the better fit for what I want overall. I have no doubt that he's right. But he also took the time to explain what would happen, in each scenario, from placement to toe-in to amplification. He also advised me on the difference between my Harmon Kardon AVR-20 and the Parasound HCA-2205 that I will ultimately be using (Friday even if the room is not finished. In every case so far,what he said would happen did indeed happen. That gives me reason to assume that future advice will also be accurate. I'm not saying that one should call him and waste his time with endless questions and opinions. I am saying that he you're truly serious about buying his product, he is an honest broker and an accurate advisor. No one is perfect, but he's darn close in my book. -P |
I've got a pair of Salk Songtower RT's (QWT two-way floorstanders) currently that I am quite happy with. But I have to admit... this thread has me really interested in the current Ohm speaker lineup! I may buy a pair of 100's to see how they differ from my current more traditional dynamic driver speakers. It seems like the Ohm presentation would be quite different, but I wonder if I would like it better than what I have. I guess there's only one way to truly find out... |
RR, Just to be clear, the OHMs utilize dynamic drivers as well. It's the Walsh driver design and concept that make them both unique and different. Here is a blurb with some background on the Walsh driver concept beyond what you might find on the OHM site: http://www.hhr-exoticspeakers.com/documents/thelincolnwalshstory.pdf |
Got my new MircoWalsh Tall's yesterday. So far they are pretty good. I'm still breaking them in and getting used to their presentation. I have noticed that when I stand up the imaging gets considerably better and the top ended get sharper, not bright, just more transparent. Anyone else noticed this? |
I've had the opposite reaction so far with my MWT's- an almost toal lack of tonal shift unless I sit on the floor. Even then, to me it's minor I account for this due to the speakers I had before: Definitive Technologies BP-2006 and Pinnacle Classic Gold Reference, both of which had significant tonal balance shift based on position. As an aside, I got to hear my old Def Techs last night. The guy I sold them to and I have become friends, and listen to music together every now and then. I miss the bass, but that's about it. They sounded unnatural and fuzzy. They really seamed to smear high-treble, especially cymbals. He loves them though, and I'm glad they went to a good home. |
No doubt. All I'm saying is that, compared to other speakers I've heard or had, the tonal shift is minimal. Not to mention imaging and soundstage, which completely collapse with most speakers I've heard as soon as I stand up or even move to scratch an arm or something. :) Actually, the single best-sounding speaker I ever heard while audition was the Sunfire CRM-2.. The sound still haunts me. However, moving anywhere outside the axis of the drivers and everything seemed to collapse. The sound was good, but the magic was gone. With the Ohm's, it's simply not the case. At least not to the extend that I've experienced with any other speaker. Oh yeah- for what it's worth, I do seem to get a bit more 'air' when I toe them slightly out and have the tweeter cross further into the room. |
Para, I happened to buy a pair of CRMs the same week I bought my Ohm 100s - as well as a pair of Maggie SMGs. Ohms are omni, Maggies are dipolar, Sunfires are bipolar. I was trying to figure out whether a different (vs the front-firing speakers I had been using at that time) dispersion pattern might work better in my difficult new listening room. IMHO, the Sunfires lagged the other two by a long, long measure. Could be the speaker, or the room or simply personal preference. But I'd take the Ohms over the CRMs even if I kept my head in a vice when listening. Marty BTW the CRMs are doing admirable duty (along with a small subwoofer) as external speakers on the digital piano in my living room. |
Espresso- that's awesome! It's very exciting to read about all the folks buying Ohm's. I hope everyone posts every detail about their experiences with them. Yeah... as the original poster in this thread, I have to say that I've gotten a kick out of all the folks who've been inspired to try Ohms as a result. Soon we'll have our own discussion board somewhere. :-) |
You can also adjust the treble by adjusting the "toe-in" (I assume the MWTs are similar to my 100s in this respect). Be sure to experiment a bit before settling on final placement/orientation. Agreed with Martykl on this one. Although the Ohms (both the MWT's and the 100's) are fairly forgiving with room placement, their tonal balance will be substantially affected by toe-in, especially in the upper frequencies, and by proximity to rear wall and corners, as far as bass is concerned. You'll also want to play with positioning to obtain the best imaging and soundstage. With the right source material, the Ohms are astonishing in that regard. |
