Magnepan, Ohm, Spatial or ??

mapman, thanks for the 'house tour'..*S*  I've been wondering what/where/how you've been set up, knowing you're an Ohm fan....

soundchasr, my spouse likes our SMGa Maggies too....half-way into the room is a non-starter, but for the sake of martial bliss I've a devious plan.  Some will cringe, but....'X' for Y...;)

The rest of my thoughts on Walsh speakers is known to most, so I'll just hold my tongue on that. *S*  One can do as well, but will spend more to do so...imho....

Happy listening, soundchasr...👍...whichever way you go....

@asvjerry what are your thoughts on Ohm? 

I bought my Magnepans circa 1986 from a shop called Audition in Birmingham AL.


That shop was owned by no other than Jim Smith who literally wrote the book on speaker setup and was Mr Magnepan at the time (Mr. Avant-garde more recently).
Jim himself may have demoed and sold them to me. Not sure about that.


That was the only time I walked in a shop and bought speakers immediately when hearing. The sound was that good.
The speakers were located almost dead center of the listening room.


I’ve been to other Maggie dealers since and the setup is typically just a few feet out from the wall but they never sounded as good as that day in Alabama again to me.


I tried hard to reproduce in my room at home but never quite achieved the Jim Smith magic.

mapman, DC in the typical room usually has zero SAF...*L*  Unless the spouse is an audiofilly or one is single...;)  But since Maggies' are dipoles, I'll bet they sounded great....

soundchasr, honestly, Ohms are a terrific commercial omni speaker line.  Something for every room size, nearly every budget, and their trial policy allows one to 'test for fit and taste'.  I have recommended them in the past.  Being a dipole & omni type, I have my own favs as most do.

Give 'em a go...they have their own preferences as to placement.  But with patience and a bit of 'push 'n poke around' you'll likely be pleased.  Some have commented that they pair well with a sub, but that's up to ones' urges for bass on tap....;)

Personally, I don't own a pair.  As a young jerk about town, I happened to hear a pair of the original Ohm type F speakers in the early '70's.  I've heard nothing since that has struck me as comparable.  I have some technical and design 'issues' with the current Ohms, but that's just my problems. *L*

For the past few years, I've been working on DIY'ing a Walsh speaker with some success.  I listen daily to a 'bookshelf' 2 way version, used as monitors for my 'puter.  A small sub beneath my desk provides the 'bottom' from about 150hz.  Not perfect, but they do work....and imho, rather well.

There's a free-standing pair of a similar nature, with a larger sub as well.  These undergo 'alterations' as I waste my limited spare time improving them.  A set of 4 are in the works; two to receive alum. cones, and two with titanium cones.

All 4 will receive existing Walsh tweeters.

The original Ohm patent has expired....quite a while ago...

As mapman pointed out, looking under the 'can' in an Ohm will surprise.

Imho.....disappointing.....but that's just me being 'technical' about a Walsh. *S*  'Purism' has it's price....

But that doesn't stop them from being a great speaker....and you asked *S*. 

Thanks @asvjerry do you have any you recommend in my price range? Although I’ve been leaning toward Ohm and Spatial I’m far from making up my mind. I’m still trying to figure out how to demo some of these including Wharfedale and Vandersteen. Everyone has been so helpful and there are so many choices!