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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
craigsub OP
63 posts
 
dep14 - I will get some more closeups done. If you click on the actual picture, it will fill the entire screen. I loaded it at full resolution, which the site shrinks to a thumbnail. You probably have to get an account there if you don't already have one. The pic, when seen on the full screen, really shows the quality of the veneer. It is "quite good" - not spectacular, but they look really good. 

Surprisingly, my wife, who does NOT like most speakers, loves the cylinder shape and the Rosewood finish. 
roysq
32 posts
 
@craigsub - any new updates or thoughts?  Would love a reference on the picture as to size vs other speakers.

Are they neutral, bright, laid back?  How is the bass?  Super tight, or a nice neutral amount.  Seems as though they should kick it out bass wise. Looks like a 10 or even 12 inch driver?


craigsub OP
63 posts
 
Roysq - It is passed time for an update. We have listened to a lot of discs, and also have played with the placement. Right now, I am listening to the Grateful Dead's "Fillmore West" CD. As with every other disc, the Ohm's are impressing with stellar detail and depth of soundstage. 

On Fillmore West, the guitars are purposefully played with the tube distortion of the era, and this comes through with exceptional clarity. The Soundstage is outstanding, with instruments often times being heard well outside the speakers. 

Bass is deep and tight, but won't overwhelm one like a subwoofer can. These speakers are wonderful with drums, from snare to bass. 

Then there is the occasional surprise - yesterday, while relaxing and watching golf, I heard members of the gallery talking behind me. It was a cool effect, and also very easy to pick out the words - 2 guys were betting $5 on whether Justin Rose would make a 14 foot putt for a birdie. 

They also play with such low distortion that one can be listening quite loudly and not realize it until someone tries to talk, and you realize you can't hear him/her. 

I would love to put the SSC-4900's into a blind test with some very expensive speakers like the Magico S5 series. They both have a way of delivering sound from a "very black" background. 
dep14
336 posts
 
Have you played with the room size adjustment switch (bass I believe).  Thoughts?
craigsub OP
63 posts
 
dep - it is still on the middle setting. The owner's manual does not tell what the settings do, so I will try different settings and "see" if I can hear a difference on some challenging material. It's probably better to do it this way, as "knowing" what to expect adds bias. 
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