Listening volume

"Was dynamic compression limiting my soundstage? Anyone else ever run into this? I'm really puzzled by this- "

Dynamic compression is certainly a common limiting factor with modern smaller speaker designs that also have good bass extension for there size. There is only so much that a dynamic driver of given size can do.

Walsh drivers smoke conventional drivers in regards to going loud and clear with minimal compression. Modern OHM Walsh CLS driver based speakers are absolute champs at this in their price range. The largest drivers used are only 10", but Walsh style wave bending seems to enable a dynamic driver of certain size to deliver a lot more sound with minimal compression a lot more effectively than it could otherwise. ALso the CLS crossover to tweeter is quite high (7khz range) which helps keep demand on tweeter minimal.

I have run OHM Walsh speakers of one form or another for almost 30 years now. No matter what you throw at them, they will never show any signs of stress, breakup or duress and any compression that might occur seems minimal compared to most anything else anywhere near the same price.

IT depends.

Are they original Walsh 5s? Or newer Walsh 5 mk II, mk III, or latest 5000?

Also what cabinets, any other special customizations?

Any of these are good values for the right used price. ORiginal 5s should cost <$1000 normally I would expect.

New 5000s list at $6500. Not cheap, but still very good value for what you get.

My 5 mkIIIs in refurbed F cabinets (in my system pic) ended up costing me ~ $2400 direct from OHM. New 5 mkIIIs at the time listed for $6000. These used refurbed cabinets, were on summer sale to start, and I traded in two pair of old OHMs for the full value offered in addition.

Schu,

I've seen only on e pair here recently, that is now gone, a very nice custom finished pair of Walsh 5 100 mkIII (same drivers as mine), but custom new cabinetry. I don't recall the price exactly but I think not much more than what I paid for refurb, so I thought that to be a steal. They were very nice looking, custom Bubinga finish and marble bases I recall perhaps?

All Walsh models go loud and clear with proper amplification as I describe. Even my original Walsh 2s from 1983 never blinked, even when used outdoors at quite high volume (with just a good 80w/ch Tandberg receiver at the time). Sound in newer models tend to be more refined, focused and detailed to various degrees compared to originals, and more competitive sonically overall with other well regarded contemporary lines, but any originals in good working order going for market used prices is a very good value, if going loud and clear without strain breakup or noticeable compression is something you seek. Not to mention the unique advantages of the wide range/wide dispersion, Walsh-based omni design, ie huge sweet spot and excellent coherency top to bottom.

At the prices some OHMs go for, every audiophile should have a pair, just in order to be able to hear something completely different for a change when desired, if nothing more, just like a decent pair of headphones. :^)

ZD,

Perhaps, but I think it is also true that realistic volume
levels suits music best. It is not so hard to get a system
to play well at low volume for less cost. Playing loud
well does not come as easy,especially in larger rooms, and
will usually involve some additional cost.

Myself, I want it to sound as best it can at all levels.
Only my main personal reference setup can do that in a
larger room of all the stuff I run in my house (I'm a little
nuts this way). The rest is limited in comparison but does
just fine for what I need there, usually at much lower
volumes.

B_,

You should be able to pop any member with a login an email via inbox (use "mypage" link at top of this page for example to get there. Its kind of a buried feature here on teh gon that I did not even realize existed until recently. It let's you send emails to other members privately as needed but also logs and provides access via agon site.

I'm always happy to chat about all things audio, OHM or otherwise. Just send your questions my way.

THanks.