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

Rebbe,

Do the tweets on the Ohms face your listening position when you compare with the Totems?

I'm wondering if the tweak is to reposition the super tweet to point towards you better in your listening position?

Ohm often repositions the tweet from the normal 45 degree forward/inward orientation for special purposes. For example, in their surround speakers, they orient the tweeter upwards.

Assuming the Dynaudio/Totem similarity in timbre, this might have the effect you are looking for if the tweets are not facing your usual listening position currently. When the tweets face me, the timbre of both my Ohm Walsh speaks very much resembles the Dyns, which are inherently more forward sounding while the Ohms tend to be more laid back, in particular, when the tweet levels at the listening position with the Ohms is lower.

The down side of tipping up the super tweet is that it does tend to collapse the soundstage a bit. Some will like this and some will not.

With the much larger 5's, there are 4 three way adjustments for the timbre for low bass, mid bass, midrange and highs that can be tweaked also. I've played with quite a few combos to hear the effect. Not the case with all other models though.

If the tweets are not facing your listening position directly as they would in a near equilateral triangle listening configuration, try toeing the speaks differently so the tweets face you directly and see what you hear.

Just some thoughts.

Mapman,

If they're aimed at their normal 45 degree angle into the center of the room, are the tweeter "paths" supposed to intersect in FRONT of your listening position, or right AT your listening position? I tried separating the speakers further from each other so that the tweet paths would intersect closer to my listening position, and it definitely affected the tonal balance... considerably brighter, and the imaging seemed more in focus... vocals centered solidly between the speakers, etc. I'm wondering if I've had them too close together?

"I tried separating the speakers further from each other so that the tweet paths would intersect closer to my listening position, and it definitely affected the tonal balance... considerably brighter, and the imaging seemed more in focus... vocals centered solidly between the speakers, etc. I'm wondering if I've had them too close together?"

Sounds like it.

You can try a slight toe out as well and see what that does if needed.

thanks again for this thread....

I had a pair of 100's and didn't like the lack of image focus. I also felt like the center stage was pushed back when it should have been....well....more front-center to my taste. I talked to John at Ohm about this and he made a VERY convincing argument to let him send me another set of more 'forward' drivers with an extension of the normal 120 day audition. He gave me a lesson about speaker voicing and 'west coast' vs "east coast' sound. I was simply stunned by his professionalism and dedication. I decided, however, that I would refuse John's efforts as I knew I had mentally moved away from the omni directional sound and didn't want to waste any more of this guys time. I do recommend his speaks VERY highly and recognize that he is fighting for and earning every customer. Once I construct a second system, I'll be back to the Ohms if for no other reason than to keep a guy like him in business. For me, the truth is...I didn't really find the sound I was looking for until I got a tube amp. now I wonder what that Ohm would sound like with some KT88s pushing them!.

Marcus001,

I recently have introduced some tubes in my DAC and pre-amp to the Ohms and have been 100% rewarded so far.

The Ohms have a difficult load to drive and are not ideal for tube power amps on paper, but I would love to hear about the results where someone has actually done this.

I've found the image focus is very good to outstanding when set up properly but the presentation is not the same as other designs that naturally image well, like good monitors. I can't say that it is better or worse...just different. To me , the imaging of the Ohms is more realistic if not as pinpoint which I like, but that is a matter of taste.

I concurrently own and run a pair of Dynaudio Contour 1.3 mkII and Triangle Titus 202 monitors and have noted the similarities and differences from the more omni Ohms in great detail over the last couple of years.

Also the Ohms sound stage does tend to be naturally laid back. I have also found though that they seem to let the character of the electronics feeding them through more so than my Dyns or Triangles mainly because they are more full range and deliver a sound more in line with much larger and more costly designs, so the electronics used will have a big impact on how they sound.