"John at Ohm told me that both the 100s and the Micro Talls work best at 2' from the front wall - the former for far field listening at greater SPLs, and the latter for nearfield at more modest levels"
Makes sense.
Smaller drivers will be more challenged to produce higher SPLs at a distance, which is why the larger models are designed for larger rooms.
I've had both my 100's and my Walsh 5s in my main but small 12'X 12' listening room in more of a near-field scenario. The larger drivers added little or no value there. The smaller drivers actually sounded better in that they fit the room better and had more room to "breathe".
The level adjustments on the Walsh 5's specifically were useful, but one might accomplish similar adjustments just as effectively with a good control pre-amp.
In my largest room, the 100s hold their own very well but the 5's deliver a performance of larger scale and impact to better fill the larger room.
Makes sense.
Smaller drivers will be more challenged to produce higher SPLs at a distance, which is why the larger models are designed for larger rooms.
I've had both my 100's and my Walsh 5s in my main but small 12'X 12' listening room in more of a near-field scenario. The larger drivers added little or no value there. The smaller drivers actually sounded better in that they fit the room better and had more room to "breathe".
The level adjustments on the Walsh 5's specifically were useful, but one might accomplish similar adjustments just as effectively with a good control pre-amp.
In my largest room, the 100s hold their own very well but the 5's deliver a performance of larger scale and impact to better fill the larger room.