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
The OHM is a unique design due largely to its use of the wave bending wide range Walsh driver.

The omni presentation combined with ability to be placed relatively close to walls if needed is probably the most unique feature.

Second is the wide range omni Walsh driver covers most of the audio range where music occurs with one driver. That results in a highly coherent room filling sound that is distinctive.

It will not sound like any other speaker exactly. Few speakers sound exactly alike so a choice based on preference must be made. More so with the OHM because it is so unique. Audio is all about making choices that best suit your needs. The thing with the OHMs is that if you like what it does, there is really not much else out there like it to choose from. Decware has a speaker at a good price point that appears somewhat similar. THat is about it. There are other omnis and other speakers that use Walsh driver technology but those cost a lot more.
Rbf,

If you go back to your original post of the mwt's vs the vandersteens, you'll find my post about fine tuning your set up. I discovered this accidentally when I was moving the speakers around. I moved them out from the wall for the best bass, and then when I started moving them away from the side walls, when I hit 33 inches off the side walls, I had walked out of the room to do something, and when I came back and turned the music back on, it sounded like the whole room had become a speaker. I was stunned, and said "This is what they're supposed to sound like". This technique worked with both the mwt's and my current 1000's. The sound just permeates the room. I find it very appealing and addictive. The Ohms also , to me, sound more like a performance than a recording, and that's what seperates them from all the other speakers that I've heard.

As far as upgrading your current equipment, I have my 1000's paired with a modest 100 wpc Yamaha reciever and a Sony DVD/CD player and the sound is impressive. I decided to put more money into the speakers and upgrade my electronics later. Believe me, even with modest associated equipment, the Ohms sound amazing. Keep us informed of your progress, and we will try to help you with any questions or problems you may have. Good Luck Joe
Agree with Joefish.

When I fist got my newer OHMs, I did not get the sound at all at first, despite having owned original Walsh 2s for 25 years.

Then once I tweaked placement a bit it was like lightbulb going off. YEs that's it! Night and Day. I am not exaggerating.
I'm just salivating waiting to get mine. Out of curiosity, does the wrong placement make them sound like bad, cheap speakers, or does the wrong placement merely not give the full, intended sound? All I really have to compare them to directly in my home will be Audioengine 5 active speakers, and my Epos ELS3 bookshelves.
Rbf1138,

In my own experience, correct placement of the Ohms is like "getting them in focus". They will sound pretty good where ever you put them, but to hear what makes them special, getting them in the right position is essential. I'd move both speakers one inch at a time and then sit and listen for a while before I made another adjustment. It took about three weeks until I accidently hit the right spot, and Bingo! All of a sudden, it sounded like the room and speakers were working as one, giving me a sonic landscape that still brings a smile to my face. You'll have to experiment. If the bass sounds too loose, move them closer together, too much bass, move them further away from the back wall, ect. I actually hade fun doing this, as I was eager to hear the Ohm magic that I had read about in this thread and in independent reviews. A little patience and perseverance will pay off handsomely. And don't forget, they take some break in, so they may sound a bit reserved and stuffy at first, but will open up more with time. Joe