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Pick 2... Ohm WMT,ML Source,Zu Druid,Gallo Ref 3.1

I've got my short list down to four speakers, and I need help narrowing these down to two. My plan is to buy the two of them used and sell the set I do not like. I may get one or both of the others down the road, but I only want to start with two.

I've got a Dussun v6i 150w amp with a NOS DAC fed by FLAC files on my Mac Mini in an 11x11 room. Yes an 11x11 room. That's going to be part of the problem. I listen to all sorts of music, but not too much really hard rock or rap.

I'm coming from a pair of Totem Arros and Silverline Minuets before those. I liked the Arros. I found them to be a little too 'boxy' for me, and they never really disappeared. I always had to be in just the right spot to get the big soundstage and even then I could hear the 'box'. Pretty good detail, but they got a little bright when I was in the sweet spot. overall a very good speaker, but they just didn't do it for me.

So this led me to my current quest. The reason I have narrowed my search down to these four speakers is as follows. Not every speaker in the four fill every item I find important.

1) My Small Room - don't want to do monitors, and I'm limited in space and placement.
2) The Box Sound - I hate it. I have craved a room filling, airy sound ever since I heard my first set of Martin Logan Monoliths 20 years ago.
3) Crossovers - the lack of them getting in the way of the music in these speakers.
4) Time-coherence - I still dream of my Dunlavy SC-1s from many years ago.
5) Price - they are all below $2000 used; which is the upper extreme of my budget.

I know the speakers are all unique. The Zu is probably my last choice, but the dynamics, lack of a rear port and wide cabinet may help in my small room (I don't know).

The Martin Logan's concern me with the super narrow listen area and the high crossover frequency.

The Gallos concern me that it might overwhelm the room with bass, and I don't really have room for sound treatment beyond a quilt on the front wall. Everything else about these sound amazing (lack of box, lack of crossover above 150, ESL like tweeter, psudo-omini tweeter and presentation).

The Ohm Concerns me that it will lack detail and have a sloppy presentation. I have heard such great things on the board about these though I'm very interested.

Any help I can get considering my room situation would be great.

Thanks
mailman199
parasound63
162 posts
 
Words cannot accurately express how much the phrase "lack detail and have a sloppy presentation" do not apply to the Ohm's. There is nothing sloppy about them, and the detail exceeds what I expected.

That being stated, what may take some people time to get used to is how they image. If one is accustomed to sitting in a narrow sweet-spot and thinks that off-axis response should diminish while moving across the room, then the Ohm's will sound strange. For me though, this is has not been an issue.

The other speakers I have only heard briefly or not heard at all, so I have no valid opinion.

Happy listening!

-P
richlane
167 posts
 
I haven't heard the Ohm or the Druid.

I'm not sure which Martin Logan model you are referring to.

But generally speaking Martin Logan has magic and Gallo has Majesty. Both of these speakers will eliminate that boxy sound that you don't like.

The Martin Logan's sweet spot will be narrower, but if you mainly listen seated then this shouldn't be a problem. I have always loved Martin Logan, but they are not great Rock Speakers, but for Vocals and Acoustics they are fabulous. You do need to put them at least a few feet away from the back wall though.

Gallo is more dynamic, if you're worried about the bass output on the Gallo 3.1, then you should consider their Reference 3 SA Subwoofer Amp which would allow you to control the bass output better. This could be a future upgrade for you. If you want to fill the room with music, then Gallo is better for that.

I know you want to buy 2 and compare them, but I would buy one first and then if you're not sure, then I would by the other for comparison.

Good Luck!
likecoiledsteel
33 posts
 
I will up you one on the room, mine is 9.5 x 9.5 and I use the Gallos. I prefer near-field listening in general regardless of room size as it eliminates some room interaction. Our rooms are a challenge bass wise. The sub amp on the Gallo may help you, I do not have one though so I cannot comment.
Steel
martykl
3,578 posts
 
11 X 11 is tough. The Ohms are specifically designed for nearfield listening and are designed to load the room evenly which helps with bass issues - but that room! I own 100s, but the MWT would be the right Ohm for your application. FWIW, based on my experience with the 100, I wouldn't worry about the issues you identified re: Ohm. I'd just worry about the bottom end.

In your shoes, I might think about a single driver system to get most of the specific benefits you've identified. Fitz sells a full line at well under $1K. If you need extended bass, add a sub with EQ. If you choose a main speaker with little output below 100ish hz, you can integrate a sub without a x-over in the main path. A Velodyne SMS-1 would be helpful for that task.

Good Luck,

Marty
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
the ohms are without equal on this list....if not completely on board, look at klipsch cornwalls as an alternative that very different, but completely satisfying. both are 'old school'if different schools, and both play well beyond their price. virtual bargains and cult status as well.
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