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

Rebbi - that's why I avoid my system on weekday mornings! And I also enjoy Sade a lot. Last night I listened to the standard CD of Pink Floyd's "Wish You were Here." I chose this specifically because it was nearly unlistenable on the Vandersteens. While it is obviously a poorly mastered CD, I really enjoyed listening to it. I followed that with Porcupine Tree (Prog-Rock theme-night), "In Absentia." Got to say I wasn't feeling it, but I was very tired by this point. It sounded very good, but something wasn't clicking; I was missing the emotional involvement I have experienced a few times with other music on my Ohms. I think this is a well-produced CD, maybe my expectations were too high. Anyway, the 2000s are surely not broken in yet, so I am not rushing to judgement.

Mapman - I agree that I should at least try some kind of base with spikes, but why square? Wouldn't a three-point spiked base work as well? That's what the Vandersteens use. My floor is very uneven, so adjustable-height spikes would be helpful. But unless I can find something cheap, this will have to wait a while.

Bondman,

Three point is fine. YOu just want stability however you accomplish it.

Bondman,

I had similar experience with limited dynamics on Porcupine Tree albums mainly FOABP early on with my new F-5s even in comparison with my old OHM Ls. BReak in and better amp matching definitely helped.

The PT tree albums I have heard on my system (Deadwing and FOABP) are a good acid test. These albums only sound best LOUD, IMO!

Hey, Guys,

Somebody's currently got a Bel Canto Design EVo 200.2 power amp on sale here for $650 OBO. It's got fabulous reviews all over the 'Net. What do you guys think of that as a foundation for use with the Ohm's? Hurry!!!!!!

Rebbi, never heard it but it has good reviews and seems a viable candidate to run the 100s. Spec, vintage and cost wise, it is in the same ballpark as the Musical Fidelity A3CR I use. I think you would have to try it and see. If you do not overpay, you can always resell.

BTW, when I acquired the A3CR, I had no idea how well it would work and was totally prepared to resell and move up to more juice right away, mainly for the Walsh 5s, but whenever I listen on either 100s or 5s I just have not felt compelled to change.

One more thought on OHM Walshes and Porcupine Tree.

One thing the omni OHM Walshes do not do inherently is "kick you in the face" when playing harder forms of rock music, as many more directional designs will.

Sometimes with harder forms of rock specifically, you want to be kicked in the face with the power of the music. The OHMs are capable of delivering power behind most any kind of music with right amplification, but they will always tend to be more laid back in presentation.

The other end of the speaker design spectrum in this regard are probably high efficiency and traditional directional design horn loaded speakers, like Klipsch and their ilk.

I do think I will acquire a pair of high efficiency horns just to experience the difference someday when I figure out a good way to fit them into my system, maybe as an alternative to the Dynaudios I currently use, if I can bring myself to part with those as well. Also, the room I use the DYns in is only 12X12 and has high WAF requirements, so options are limited.

I can see a pair of horn loaded speakers supplementing my OHMs but not replacing either pair at present. We'll see....