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
I use a pair of 2.000 satellite speakers that sit on REL Q201e subs they are 2 feet from the back wall and 6 feet 4 inches apart . The Ohms are powered by a pair of VTL 100 mono blocks running 2 KT120 Tubes that have a high pass filter 50 Hz . They make 75 watts . There is two more subs in the room distributed bass . All I can say I am bathed in great full range sound . There are very few systems that I have heard that move me like my own . Except one that was Jim Smiths the author of Get Better Sound book . After that visit and some room treatment additions I am moved every time I play music .Ohm speakers Highly recommended .   
@snapsc - If you look at my review for the 2000s in the reviews section here at Audiogon, I addressed most of your questions. I don’t have a lot of options for positioning my 2000s in my room, so they are where they are. That is about 2.5 to 3 feet away from the side and front walls, and only about 5.5 feet apart. Also, my cieling is only 6 feet high (a basement), which I am sure is not ideal. I can’t really speak to the power requirement issue, as I usually run them with powered subwoofers so that the Ohms roll off, first order, beginning at 80Hz.
Have larger Ohm 5s with 12" driver and smaller 100s with 8" driver.

Positioning considerations are similar to most modern speakers that image well. You always want drivers a couple feet away from wall to avoid early reflections for best results. Optimal location from there will vary room by room, case by case.

I’ve used my 100’s with as little as 1 foot from walls to good effect, though perhaps not optimal in regards to detail and imaging.

I’ve had amps as little as 20 w/ch deliver very good results but the OHMs love power and current and will generally reward that if ultimate dynamics and very high SPLs matter to the user.

They are also very transparent. Most any change in the system might be heard. That may include power cords, interconnect wires, source device, pre-amp and amp.

If bass obscuring the midrange is an issue, that is often due to floor interactions. Set the OHMs on an isolation pad or stand of some sort, much like one would do with a subwoofer.


The omni sound is SOOO addicting that I will never go back to direct firing speakers. That said I've moved on from Ohm's as the WAF in our new modern condo was untenable. I purchased a pair of Duevel Planets about a year ago and they and the Ohm's are darn close in sound with the Ohm's having just a little more oomph. Other than that they are indistinguishable from the Ohm's, the room filling, sit where you please sound is magical.
Does the description “Omni sound” also mean that from the prime listening position the ohms can throw a big image with height, width and depth or is this not in their wheelhouse?