Ownership and Review of a pair of Ohm Super Sound Cylinder


Greetings all - I recently ordered a pair of Ohm Super Sound Cylinder speakers, or SSC-4900's. They are in the middle of the Ohm Walsh lineup, and are about 38 inches tall and the cylinder cabinets about 12.5 inches in diameter.

Specs are listed at 88 dB for a 2.8 V input, and a response curve of +/- 3 dB from 25 to 20,000 Hz. 

This whole process is part of a "high end, high value, USA made two channel system" thread I started a couple of months ago on another forum. The electronics are the PS Audio Stellar Gain Pre-amp/DAC and a pair of PS Audio M700 mono amps.

The PS Audio equipment has already elevated the Axiom M100's and Martin Logan Electro Motion ESL speakers in terms of performance. The Axioms have a "twin" available in Brick and Mortar outlets from Bryston called the A1's. 

For reference, other speakers which we have or still have in house include: Klipsch LaScala II's, Legacy Signature SE's, Infinity IRS Sigmas, Ascend Sierras, PSB Strata Goldi, VMPS Super Towers and a host of other speakers. 

The Ohm Walsh speakers have been something about which I have read since 1977 (the year I got the audio bug), but have never had the chance to experience. The SSC-4900's sell for $4900 per pair, though the name and pricing are coincidental. The "4900" is due to the idea that the speakers are "almost a 5000", but with less controls - one switch vs. 4 for the 5000, but also a lower price.

John Strohbeen, who is he president at Ohm and who has been with them for almost 40 years, was gracious enough to spend an hour talking on the phone about our room, the associated gear, and also that there would be a review thread. It was after this discussion that we decided on the SSC-4900's. 

I am purchasing the speakers, not getting a review pair. They are under the 120 day return policy. John is well aware that my daughter sings opera, my son is adept at classical guitar, and that live music is the reference. He was actually quite pleased about this. 

This will be fun (at least for me), and hopefully informative. Comments are welcome. 

I honestly have no idea what to expect from the Walsh sound. They are so different from other speaker designs that the only thing to do is set them up properly and hear what happens! 
craigsub

Showing 1 response by monstertruck9882

Many thanks to the OP for posting about his experience and to everyone else who chimed in about Ohm speakers. Partly on this basis I have ordered the 4900's for my large room. After a few years off from being an audiophile I am back in the game. Listening to music I like from a Sonos just was not cutting it at all. Plus, I want my young daughter to really experience the music she clearly digs. 

Besides the Ohm SSC-4900's I have ordered an Apollon Audio Stereo AS1200 Amplifier to drive them. Should be enough power ha ha. Debating music streamers now. Might try Marantz NA6006 or a Bluesound Node 2i (possibly with a Schitt Bitfrost). Just gonna stream Amazon HD so don't need anything else. 

FWIW I used to be in deep. Had all Audio Research amp electronics, an EAD CD player, fancy cables, VPI Aries turntable, etc. and Dunlavy SC-IVa speakers. I had a pretty good sounding system. 

Recently, I got a Schitt Jotunheim and an Audeze LCD-X and have really been enjoying that streaming from my Macbook. Looking forward to sharing music again.