Ownership and Review of a pair of Ohm Super Sound Cylinder


Greetings all - I recently ordered a pair of Ohm Super Sound Cylinder speakers, or SSC-4900's. They are in the middle of the Ohm Walsh lineup, and are about 38 inches tall and the cylinder cabinets about 12.5 inches in diameter.

Specs are listed at 88 dB for a 2.8 V input, and a response curve of +/- 3 dB from 25 to 20,000 Hz. 

This whole process is part of a "high end, high value, USA made two channel system" thread I started a couple of months ago on another forum. The electronics are the PS Audio Stellar Gain Pre-amp/DAC and a pair of PS Audio M700 mono amps.

The PS Audio equipment has already elevated the Axiom M100's and Martin Logan Electro Motion ESL speakers in terms of performance. The Axioms have a "twin" available in Brick and Mortar outlets from Bryston called the A1's. 

For reference, other speakers which we have or still have in house include: Klipsch LaScala II's, Legacy Signature SE's, Infinity IRS Sigmas, Ascend Sierras, PSB Strata Goldi, VMPS Super Towers and a host of other speakers. 

The Ohm Walsh speakers have been something about which I have read since 1977 (the year I got the audio bug), but have never had the chance to experience. The SSC-4900's sell for $4900 per pair, though the name and pricing are coincidental. The "4900" is due to the idea that the speakers are "almost a 5000", but with less controls - one switch vs. 4 for the 5000, but also a lower price.

John Strohbeen, who is he president at Ohm and who has been with them for almost 40 years, was gracious enough to spend an hour talking on the phone about our room, the associated gear, and also that there would be a review thread. It was after this discussion that we decided on the SSC-4900's. 

I am purchasing the speakers, not getting a review pair. They are under the 120 day return policy. John is well aware that my daughter sings opera, my son is adept at classical guitar, and that live music is the reference. He was actually quite pleased about this. 

This will be fun (at least for me), and hopefully informative. Comments are welcome. 

I honestly have no idea what to expect from the Walsh sound. They are so different from other speaker designs that the only thing to do is set them up properly and hear what happens! 
craigsub
@craigsub, currently pass labs 250.8 and xp12.  But will also try some older harman kardons and other equipment.  Primary source is a Sony HAPZ1es.  
dep14 - I have a 1976 vintage Marantz 250M amp that will get a tryout with the Ohms this fall when it's indoor season. 

I would love to hear some Pass Labs amps with the Ohms, too. 

If your speakers didn't ship before the break, I think you will be happy once you finally get them. The frustration is tough while waiting, but I have no regrets. 
@craigsub 

Would love an update on the 4900's  Really your whole set-up.  Pros/Cons vs your other speakers as you have a ton it seems?   The PSaudio amps, how are they now that you have had them for a while.  Always a bit scared of class D?

Even pictures.  Considering some Walsh Talls, or the 4900's as you have.  So, an update with some of the above thoughts if you don't mind.
Many years ago, my favorite speaker was the Ohm A.....you needed vast amounts of power to properly drive it, so I didn't own them.
Roysq … We are getting close to doing a formal write up on the SSC-4900's. Unfortunately, I don't know of a way to post pictures into this forum. Does anyone know how?

You can look for a formal write up over the Thanksgiving Holiday, when I finally have some time. I bought a "distressed" Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram dealership in October, 2017, and this summer was a lot more work than I anticipated. 

For now, I can say I absolutely LOVE these speakers. Every chance I get to try new music, I do. And what they do with old rock favorites like Pink Floyd and Supertramp is astonishing. Deep, tight bass. A soundstage that is MASSIVE. The clarity of vocals is world class. 

They are more power hungry than the Legacy Signature SE's or Axiom M100's, but the PS Audio M700's are more than enough - and for under $10,000 for the total system, the PS Audio Pre, M700's and Ohm's are fantastic.