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Ohm Walsh Microtall or Vandersteen 1C

So having gone to my local audio store yesterday and auditioning the Vandersteen 1C and the PSB Image T6, the PSB model is out. I was leaning heavily towards going back next week to buy the 1C, but I started down a path of reading about the Microtalls, and I think I have to call them tomorrow and order a pair.

I'll be running with just a Peachtree Nova, using a Macbook Pro (optical out), Ps3/Xbox 360, and turntable as sources. They'll be used to play music as well as for 2 channel HT.

I really enjoyed the 1C sound, which had warmth and clarity. The PSBs felt a little too neutral and cold to me. I think while I imagine that I want a real analytic, detailed sound to let me hear every little note and drum hit, in reality I want a speaker that lets me get lost in the music and just "live" while I have music on. I can use headphones for the analytic listening :)

Will the Microtalls work for watching video, in the sense that dialogue will still sound as if it's coming from the center? I know I could always add the center channel and a sub later to help out with HT, but that's not in the budget now.

What will I lose with the Microtalls vs. the Vandersteens? I was also wondering if I wouldn't be better off waiting until I could afford the 2ce Sig II (or finding some new) and going with the Ohm for now while I'm at a $1000 budget.

Finally, do I pay return shipping on the Ohms if I don't like them? What is that cost? Thanks!
rbf1138

Showing 3 responses by bondmanp

bondmanp
1,832 posts
 
Heywaj10 - Ohm Walsh + Porcupine Tree = Sonic Heaven!!!!
bondmanp
1,832 posts
 
I went from Vandersteen 1Cs to Ohm Walsh 2000s. I also eventually bought a used pair of MWTs for the surround channels. Short answer, IMO: The MWTs have it all over the Vandy 1Cs. More accurate timbre, much better when pushed hard, smoother in the brightness range (~4-8kHz), and much more low level detail. The Vandy's did tend to project sound toward the listening seat a little more than the Ohms, but if the recording uses phase trickery to make sound seem to come from the listening area, the Ohms will do that. You get what's on the recording, with nothing extra or omitted. As for the center image thing, no problem. The Ohms have a solid center image but not too narrow, so that mono material still has some dimensionality. The Vandys became frustrating at moderately loud levels, when they tended to congeal and become pinched and unpleasant, and induced fatigue. They were also not kind to poor recordings. The Ohms let you know when a recording is good or bad, but they are all quite listenable, and listening fatigue is non-existent. I didn't have the space for the 2Ce Signature IIs, so I looked for another brand, and found Ohm. The Ohm audition period is 120 days, and you do pay for shipping, both ways. I kept mine and couldn't be happier. I have since added the Ohm center, and the consistancy of sonics throughout the various Walsh models is among the best I've heard from any brand of speaker.
bondmanp
1,832 posts
 
I have a used pair of MWTs for surrounds. Before instaslling them, I hooked them up in place of my 2000s briefly. I must say I was surprised by how close the MWTs sounded to the 2000s. A little less bass extension and slam, but otherwise, really close. And remember, the MWT that I have is one generation older than my 2000s. On PT's Darkest Eyes track, the Vandys would get really congested at the chorus, when the guitars kicked in, obscuring other details in the music. The Ohms allowed the track to breath, giving plenty of dynamic punch, but never losing the other musicians in the mix. Balanced with grace under pressure would be a good descriptor.
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