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


Hi,

I'd love to hear the impressions of people who've actually spent some time with these speakers to share their sense of their plusses and minuses. Mapman here on Audiogon is a big fan, and has shared lots on them, but I'm wondering who else might be familiar with them.
rebbi
Rbf,

IMHO, once you're out of the real budget models, subwoofer set-up is usually more important than the specific choice of subwoofer model (unless you've defied the odds and chosen a truly crappy subwoofer!). Good news - you haven't.

To clarify my post, the Velo sub includes an EQ function. When used automatically, it simply adjusts (IIRC) 6 fixed bands of equal range to eliminate peaks and suckouts. This is a pretty simple approach and IME doesn't work very well.

However, manual EQ allows MUCH more effective adjustment. You can vary the width of each band, vary it's center point, and vary how "steep" the correction is. If you've got a big "hump" centered at, for example 90 hz (not uncommon), you can create a band centered at 90hz and apply correction in the opposite "shape" of the hump. When summed for playback, the combination of the original hump and the "mirror" correction that you've dialed in via manual EQ results in flat FR. Unfortunately, this is only possible via manual EQ and involves a fair bit of work on your part.

All the other stuff - slope, phase, etc. - can also make a huge difference. IME, trial and error, aided by video readout - is the best way to go with Velodyne. In the end, you'll get flat response from the sub and smooth, precisely matched level at the point your cross to your Ohms. If you haven't yet guessed, I'm a huge fan of this approach.

Unfortunately, REALLY GOOD subwoofer set-up is a giant PITA...but also makes a GIANT difference in the end result. The easy way is Audyssey, which includes a very sophisticated auto subwoofer set-up feature. Unfortunately, Audyssey is found mostly in multi channel home theater electronics - which I'm guessing you don't have handy. Shy of switching to Audyssey, you might want to wade thru the manual EQ instructions for your sub (either those in the instruction book or downloaded from the Velo web site).

IME, the process is cumbersome, but worthwhile.

Good luck,

Marty
Marty, is there a brand or model in the sub-$500 range you would have chosen instead?
Rbf,

I've been out of the market for a bit, so I'm probably not your best resource for that question.

I own Rythmiks, which are terrific, but start at $700+. The very fine, entry level SVS sub is a bit cheaper, but IIRC still north of $500. I understand that Emotiva has one at $500 that looks pretty nice, but I've neither heard it nor seen test results. You might want to search threads here for advice from other folks who are closer to the current market.

Kbuzz,

The issue with Ohm subs (as of app. 4 years ago, when I was looking) was their size. The footprint was substantially bigger than most and I just didn't have the space to accommodate them, so I never auditioned them. I don't know the current models, so I'm not sure if that's still a consideration.

Marty
Are the low-pass and phase settings room dependent? Is there a setting for those that would seem to make the most sense paired with the MWTs? I think right now I have the low-pass set to about 100.