Magnepan vs Ohm/Walsh ?

Plato,

I can't comment intelligently on this because I've only spent the briefest time with some Maggies in a local dealer showroom. But for lots of information on the Ohm sound itself, have a look at the thread called, "Ohm Micro Walsh Talls: Who's Actually Heard 'Em?"

I have had both. I sent the Ohms back to where they came from. The Ohms didn't hold a candle to the Maggies for my taste. Besides, I tried other omni's like Decware's version of the application and they too were better than the Ohms.

Back in the late 1970s I owned a pair of Ohm Fs and absolutely loved them. I regretted selling them almost immediately.

Fast forward to 2002 or so and I was in the speaker market again. Ohms were first on my list to try so I ordered the 200s under their home trial program. I ran them about a month and then borrowed a pair of Magnepan 1.6QRs from a local dealer for a side-by-side weekend trial.

It became a very easy decision at that point; the Maggies won easily. They floated a very transparent, almost surreal image and the mid-bass, for cellos, drums and the like was outstanding - very palpable. In contrast, the Ohms were more veiled. I will give the deep bass to the Ohms but I valued the Maggies' advantages more.

I know other people would make the opposite choice based on what is important to them.

Unfortunately I moved 3 years ago and the listening room at the new house was simply unsuitable for a dipole speaker that needed to be well out from the wall. The Maggies were sold and I am now quite happy with a pair of classic Spendor SP1/2Es.

both are different, but both are 'music lover' speakers. the 'sweetspot' you require may determine your choice, and if you like to 'rock'.

I currently rotate Ohm 100s and Maggie SMGs in a system that uses twin Velo SPLR subs as well. Therefore, my observations are "real time", but they stop at 80hz.

The Ohms produce a "drier" presentation that strikes me as pretty much dead neutral in tonal balance. In many respects, this feels a bit "Quad-like". Big dynamic swings aren't a strong point here (again, see Quad), but with some break-in are okay. Imaging is nearly unique, well defined with a sense of weight and body that you only get from omnis.

The Maggies have a "rounder" presentation that reflects a touch more energy through the upper bass and presence region. Ironically, the planar Maggies sound much less like Quads than do the Ohms. Macrodynamics here are similarly restricted, but "micros" (for example, plucked guitar) have a special "jump" to them. Imaging is very, very good, but less layered than Ohms (back images tend to feel glued to the wall) and less "weighty" as well.

Overall, you can make a case for either. Of course, when used as a stand-alone, the Ohms have impressive bass extension and weight. (They also cost 3X, as much.) Some years back, I owned Maggie 3.5s, which are twice the price of the Ohm 100s, but (albeit recalled with imperfect memory) I'd still give the Ohms a significant edge on bottom. Caveat: time and limited experience with full range operation of the Ohms REQUIRE that you digest that observation with a dose of salt.

A further bass observation: Ohms are incredibly easy to integrate with a sub (and controller), the Maggies are a pain in the ass. I eventually got a great match with the Maggies, but it was painful.

My ultimate take is that these speakers represent simply "different strokes". I've had the Maggies on line for 2 weeks now, so I'm currently in "Maggie" mode, but when the Ohms rotate back in (soon enough), I know I'll lean that way again.

I bought both products factory direct with return rights and I've elected to keep both. Overall, no dynamic speaker I've heard (and I currently own some very expensive, very fine examples of that breed) can match the particular strengths of either the Maggies or the Ohms. OTOH, those speakers still have other charms (mainly macro-dynamic) that weigh in their favor.

If forced to keep only one speaker system, I'd probably (somewhat reluctantly) choose Ohms with subs. If forced to go with Maggie/Subs, I wouldn't suffer a whole lot. On a stand alone basis, the Ohms are an easy call. Off my experience of the last year, I'd be inclined to choose either the Ohm/sub or Maggie/sub combo over any dynamic driver alternative that I've heard at any price point(caveat: I haven't heard everything).

Hope this helps.

Marty