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Ohm F remodel options

So, someone has offered me their Ohm F’s- all original parts with no modifications. The cabinets are rosewood, and really look like they’re about 34 years old.

The drivers are in horrible condition. The Right speaker has the surround disintegrated and is virtually un-playable. The Left is in slightly better shape, but reveals its age.

I have no idea what kind of room they will be in a year from now. The current room is too small, and in a 900-sq ft house it is a non-starter. We have no room to even store them at the moment. I would take possession of them the day that we move to Virginia, probably in April.

There seem to be quite a few options.

1) Send them to Ohm for an upgrade. But, an upgrade to what? The 2000 driver seems to be a safe bet, assuming they will be in a medium-to-small room next year. Sending them in for a full 5000 upgrade is possible, but the expense will delay the project for about a year.

2) Have Ohm send the drivers of choice and do it myself. Good option unless I go up to the 4000 or 5000 driver. I’m not that good with woodworking, and would be concerned about screwing them up.

3) Go for the gusto and send to Dale Harder and crew to be updated with their modern Walsh driver. But that expense will really delay the project.

What would you do if given Ohm F’s?
parasound63
parasound63 OP
162 posts
 
Unsound- you're probably right.

Holding on to them until I find someone able and willing to restore to original condition is an option, if I can't get it done myself. I'm holding out hope that I can be that person. But first, I have to find someone that I absolutely trust to do the restoration. I'm hoping that over the next few months the fine folk here at the 'gon can help.

I have exploratory emails to both Dale Harder and Miller Sound.

Mapman- you raise I point I hadn't considered. When I move to Quantico it might be feasible for me to take a drive over to Parma and check out the Harder facility, and listen to his speakers in person. I was born in Cleveland (Lakewood) and plan on traveling to NE and NW Ohio while on the East Coast anyway.

-P
parasound63 OP
162 posts
 
So far:

Millersound has no interest in dealing with the F's. Very polite about it though.

Speakerexpress believes that they can refurbish to original spec. Minimally invasive, and by far the most cost-effective.

Dale Harder seems genuinely enthusiastic, and wants to talk about the options. He just seems to love the F's, and his passion is incredible.

One thought I do have: I want them to remain Ohm F's, and as close to original specification as possible. Otherwise, they won't be Ohm F's...
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,179 posts
 
para,

Thanks for the update.

Please keep 'em coming as things develop! I would go out of my way to be able to have a properly functioning pair of original OHM F's myself someday.
parasound63 OP
162 posts
 
I'll keep that in mind, Mapman...
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Restoring historicaly correct Walsh drivers is a noble endevor, but I wonder what Licoln Walsh would have designed if he had access to todays technology or just lessons learned. Perhaps presumptious, but perhaps using Lincoln Walsh's design as a platform for the potential that was then not plausible, but currently is, might be just as noble an effort. Of course there is a difference between evolution and devolution. Choose your path wisely grasshopper:>).
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