Ohm Walsh Micro Talls: who's actually heard 'em?

Rebbi,

I just assumed that the quintuply redundant nested packaging of Ohm speakers was intended to ensure that no-one would ever return them. I can tell you that once I finally managed to get mine out of the boxes, there was no way they were going back in!

OTOH, I'm sure the UPS argument holds plenty of water. If crates could tell stories...! In fact the guys at Ohm deserve some credit here: They do manage security without resorting to undue expense (i.e. the aluminum flight cases my Verity P/Es ship in).

Marty

100's/Walsh 2s are not too bulky and relatively easy to handle and move as needed.

You should see the big F-5s on the other hand. These are heavy and came in 6 separate boxes with serious re-enforcement for the big cabinet boxes. Thank God they sit on casters for easy movement.

Still for the big sound they put out, they are not so big compared to many mega-sized speaker systems out there.

Everybody,

Well, although I'm not yet in a position to really offer a detailed impression of the 100s, I can definitely say that they sound great and that I'm enjoying the process of getting them set up. I'm finding that although they are not, "hard to place," they are, at least in my room, sensitive to placement. Moving them a few inches either way, closer to or farther from the rear wall, produces marked differences in soundstage and tonal balance. I'm still working with them and imagine that I will continue to do so for quite some time.

To my surprise, my pleasant surprise, their bass feels solid and controlled while not being “boomy” or overwhelming, even in my relatively small room. Highs are sweet and extended without being harsh, although that sense of brightness does seem to be somewhat dependent upon positioning -- I guess it has to do with how directly you are in the line of fire of the super tweeters.

Do they sound different than the Micros? Yes, indeed. My initial impression is that there is more inner detail, and that, as our friend, Mapman likes to say, "more meat on the bones."

By the way, as far as I can tell, my 80 W per channel integrated amp provides more than enough juice to make these go plenty loud. In fact, at least in my room, I can't really stand playing them much louder than about one third of the volume dial. :-)

More to come as I gain some more solid impressions...

Wow, what a long and enduring thread. Can't say I've read it all but I thought I'd add a wrinkle. In case you don't know and may be interested, Blue Circle Audio has introduced a new speaker based on the latest Ohm driver. It's called Penny. You can see the details on their web site. Disclosure: I have recently become a Blue Circle retailer (and Green Mountain Audio). This is a home based business in northern Colorado, Departure Audio.
Penny is different from other Ohm models as it uses conventional bass drivers for frequencies below around 90 hz. There are also a few other tricks that Blue Circle is not revealing. Penny's were singing at the last RMAF and sounding quite good. Some final tweaks are being made and the final speaker will be available soon. I will have a pair later in the spring and can't wait hear them in a real world room. Also, how they compare to the exceptional Green Mountain models. Again, just an FYI for Ohm lovers. I don't believe there are any other manufacturers using the ohm driver so this is a alternative for omnis.
Julian

Interesting about the Blue Circle speaks.

There are other makes using Walsh designs, like German Physiks, but none other than OHM using OHM walsh drivers that I know of.

I'd like to see what is under the hood on those PEnnys. Maybe you could share some pics?

I recall a piece by the late John Potis that indicated that introducing the OHMs in his household to Blue Circle amplification took them to levels never heard before. I have that comment in the back of my mind when I say how I would love to introduce my OHMS to a really good high powered monster amp some day, maybe a larger Class D. I think I could survive easily with the Blue Circle amp as well were I to splurge though! I have this vision of it as the ultimate amp for the OHMs, at least among those that I have read about, based on John's published observation's.