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Are Ohm-Walsh micros and 1000 series disrespected because of omni-directional design??

I never was a big fan of Omni-directional speakers because they are often disappointing.  I don't need the sound in back of me or 2 foot to my right or left.  However, I have seen many testimonials for Ohm -Walsh speaker on Audiogon, yet they are infrequently reviewed. 

Therefore, are Ohm-Walsh speakers disrespected because of  their Omni directional design??. I  noticed two issues on their website: 1) how do your determine which micro or tall column will be compatible for the dimensions of your listening area, especially if your listening area is only part of a larger room. 2)  A  buyer can easily mistake  the way they are priced. For example, the OW Talls (w-1000)  are $ 1000 each, NOT $1000 FOR THE PAIR.  So, that model is $2000 a pair, and there is lot of competition from conventional designed speaker, in that price category For example. the Golden Ear Technology. model 7, and the Magneplanar .07 both in the $1400-1500 price range and, some of the PSB towers, like the T-2 or T-3. or Monitor Audio recent series.. 

Would like some feedback about whether this Ohm-Wash design is disrespected  by the major audio press. Are  hardcore audiophile not convinced by the Omni-directional design and results, and so it never gets a f"air shake or serious audition,

sunnyjim
polarin
73 posts
 
To add to what Mapman already said I would also point out they don't advertise, hence reviewers typically won't give them much attention. The current Ohm line up are made up of two drivers, an upside down near full range driver crossed over very high to an angled inward tweeter. The rear of the "can" that they're mounted in is damped along the backside to allow for placement somewhat close to the wall.

  I currently own some 25+ year old Ohm Walsh 3's and I will never go back to front firing speakers again, at least in our main family room.  The Ohm's fill the entire room with smooth, detailed and non-fatiguing sound and really do a nice job with music and movies.  In fact the best compliment I can give them as that I no longer fret over the sound of my system as I used to, I just sit back and enjoy.

These will be a mixed bag for some, as the look of the driver set up and the unusual cabinet or the "sound everywhere" performance of the Ohm's may be off putting compared to more conventional offerings.  Which only proves there is no one type of speaker that is for everyone.  I have a pristine pair of ADS 570/2's in my man-loft system and I love them, however I'm typically the only one up there so they work just fine in that setup.

You'll have to audition them yourself to see if they are for you, when I did, it took about 2 minutes to know they were coming home with me, as always YMMV, good luck!

maplegrovemusic's avatar
maplegrovemusic
1,113 posts
 
yes
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I'll agree with Maplegrove.  Some people find the idea of an omni to be misguided and I'm sure that some large percentage of those folks diss Ohms.  I think they're wrong, but I understand that they may feel the same way about me.
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

Could be that we all have just accepted and became accustomed to direct two channel sound.  I really don't like the idea of music surrounding me, and to declare it good and the best ever heard. Maybe the  Ohm  design team declared war on that older tradition and sincerely works  against the traditional execution of sound, and aspires to widen the experience of music in a home setting without making the music sound distant, washed out, amorphous, or non specific etc.

I wish Ohm followed the traditional merchandizing methods of showroom auditions, and in store purchasing.  This home trial is a good idea but seems more complicated than the simple showroom demos where you either purchase them or take the salesman's card and go home.  In the case of Micro Talls  speakers, I really don't want to tie up $2000 in an escrow account while trying to decide whether I like the speaker or not.   .    

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,179 posts
 
Could be that we all have just accepted and became accustomed to direct two channel sound.
Yep.

I really don’t like the idea of music surrounding me, and to declare it good and the best ever heard.
They don’t surround you any more than any other speaker omni or otherwise which is practically never. If it happens ever it would probably be due to room acoustics. I’ve never heard it.

They are not really different from others that can have a large soundstage and good "holographic" imaging where sound is detached from speakers when set up right. You do have to listen to the music in the soundstage however, seemingly not the speakers. The presentation is just more convincingly live sounding than usual to me. Focus on listening to the speakers and you miss out on everything.
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