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

t8kc - Very interesting post about your 2.2000s.  I feed my 2000s with 150 watts per side (Odyssey Audio HT3 w/cap upgrade).  But, IIRC, Mapman feeds his big Walsh's with 500 or 1000 watts per side (Bel Canto).


I think mine sound good with the mere(!) 150 watt amp because I cross them over (1st order) at 40 Hz to my powered Vandy subs.  I did once have a pair of 500 watt mono blocks from Arion Audio for a demo in my system.  They sounded great, but I was hard pressed to hear any big advantage over the Odyssey Audio amp in my system (again, which includes powered subs). 


But if you want a good-sounding amp with plenty of juice, I would recommend a trial of the Arion Audio - http://arionaudio.com/.  It appears they offer some sort of in-home audition program, and owner/designer Mike Kallelis is a terrific guy.

t8kc, no doubt the more power and current the merrier with most OHM Walshes. At least if one wants the top notch sound possible with them.

I came to that realization early on when my current Ohm Walsh encounter started in 2008 or so and I think I have repeated it many times here over the years and will REPEAT IT AGAIN HERE. :^)

As I mentioned XO are more efficient (Xtra Output) so less amp needed for top notch results I would expect.

Also I find my larger OHMs in larger room benefits more from throwing the kitchen sink in terms of power and current at them but both do benefit.

OHM is not "high end" in its marketing and has sold many speakers over the years at prices that the average consumer might afford. Subsequently many OHMs have been used in underpowered or lesser systems over the years and full "high end" potential not realized. Many owners have no idea what they can do and most probably do not care that much until they actually hear the alternative.

500 w/ch Bel CAnto ref1000m amps I use (see system pics) are a great place to start used.

FOr something new I would look at 300 w/ch Peachtree or newer Bel Canto ref600. Maybe even d-sonic or Class D audio if budget is tighter.

I’ve run mine of good quality highly regarded 180 w/ch SS amp with no negative feedback and more limited current delivery. Meh in comparison.

BTW "cheap" or poorly made speakers would not hold up well at high volumes with 500w/ch thrown at them. My F5s never show any sign of strain or compression and I have probably not even hit the limit with them.

The worst thing to do ever is crank up an underpowered amp into clipping which can happen sooner than one might expect in many cases and before clear effects on sound is actually heard.   Clipping is public enemy # 1 for good sound and is not talked about here these days nearly as often as it should be.   An amp clipping also has greater chance of causing damage to any speakers.





mapman & bondmanp,

One option would be to buy a second Parasound 1500 (used) and run them bridged (mono). This would give 600+W/channel. First, I have to check my home wiring to make sure enough current is reaching the amp (doubly true with 2 amps). The never ending quest...

I am very happy that the 2.2000 upgrade was successful. It was getting depressing that maybe it was a waste of resources.

For now, I will chug along with the 4XOs until I can improve the system.
t8 one advantage of Class D is ability to leave them on without running up the power bill.

My circuit breaker generally goes if I power up both ref1000m amps at the same time.  I do one then the other and both are generally left on (as per manufacturer recommendation) from there unless I will be away for an extended period.

Once powered up I have never had the circuit breaker go when playing and I go pretty loud sometimes.

I have had other Class A, Class A/B  amps flip the breakers in the past when running.