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

Bondmanp, interesting as I had a bit of the same issue as well, it seemed more like a small midbass hump. It didn't seem to matter where I positioned the speakers, further away from the wall, closer, whatever, it seemed to stay there. It really wasn't very irritating, but there nonetheless. This was with 2000 series drivers in an OW2 cabinet, which I might add was not in the best of shape either.

I kept with it though, had them running for the better part of 3 months and it did smooth out some. I found it did not take long for the treble to break-in if at all, it seemed very smooth and detailed right form the get-go. The bass/midrange was a little more problematic.

The last time I listened to the 2000 series drivers they were a bit better in the midbass. Unfortunately, my OW2's were borrowed and I had to return them, so my testing was cut a bit short. I have since found some really nice OW3XO cabinets that I have talked to John about in trading my 2000 series drivers in for 3000's. I am going to put that in motion when they get back from the Holiday shutdown.

I do think it is a break-in thing though, as I felt like mine were beginning to smooth out as time went by. I did do one interesting little thing with my 2000 drivers before I boxed them up. Once I didn't have any OW2 cabinets, I placed the driver cans on top of a couple of plastic milk-crates just to store them so the driver surrounds wouldn't be touching anything until I had time to pack them up right(They come packed on a wooden board that is cut out from the factory). I thought hmmm, wonder what these things would sound like without the cabinet. So I put 2 milk crates on top of each other for both left and right speakers, and kind of set the 2000 drivers and their mounting boards across the opening of the crate. Fired them up and listened to them for quite awhile. There was no real bass below about 60-70 Hz or so, but man, that midrange and sweet treble was to die for. These things were just floating the nicest image in my room, almost better than with the OW2 cabinets. If I would have had the time, I actually thought about dragging my Velodyne subs out and trying them together just for the fun of it.

It was an interesting little listen, I wasn't looking to really take anything in particular away from my experiment, but what I did come away with is that John really knows how to voice a speaker and to make some very basic drivers sound really great together! It was like listening to a small monitor yet with all the wonderful goodness that an Ohm Walsh brings to the table, minus the bass of course. I don't know that my description does it justice really, but I have to say it was fun. Again, my admiration for what John and crew do is pretty high up on my ladder.

Needless to say, I can't wait for John to get back from vacation(sorry John and company)and get the ball rolling for the 3000's. Enjoy your music, and of course those Ohm's! Tim

Tim / Frazeur1 - Thanks. That's a huge relief to hear. As it happens, I listened to a classical disc last night, a CD version of an old RCA Red Seal: Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No.2; Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 "Emperor", with Fritz Reiner conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Van Cliburn on piano. The Beethoven sounded so-so, with some of the thickness I had described above. The Rachmaninoff, however, sounded much better, with much less of the lower-midrange push that was bothering me. I know I was really enjoying this piece, since I cursed everytime I had to pause it due to telephone calls (some of which I just let go to my answering machine).

This is the second time that another Ohm Walsh owner has had the identical break-in experience as what I am experiencing. Really amazing, IMO. I will continue to run the 2000s in and keep you all posted.

Bondmanp, I forgot another thing that I tried in regards to the mid-bass hump, in the OW2 cabinet, there is a layer/blanket of acoustic dampening material or whatever it is, and I was able to actually move mine around, basically up or down at various levels within my cabinet. It made small differences, nothing earth shattering.

I am not sure how the newer cabinets are filled, I had thought they were pretty much stuffed to the gills with the stuff. If you continue to be put off by this mid-bass issue, I strongly encourage you to not only give it some more time, but also talk with John about it when convenient. He might have some suggestions that you can try with regards to positioning and maybe even some of the fibre fill in the cabinet or the port.

I think too, it is or can be difficult to diagnose these kind of problems as there are so many things that it could be-or not be for that matter. I find most of my displeasure usually comes from the recordings themselves, not the gear. But we all have certain references that we go by, and it is your ears that you have to satisfy! Don't give up on them yet!

I really think that John is very willing to go the extra mile to make sure his customers are happy with their purchase. Hopefully your 2000's will work out well for you. Enjoy! Tim

Bond,

One other thought: I've measured the in-room response of my Ohms and they are actually very neutral relative to many of the other high end speakers that I've owned. They are neither elevated nor underdamped through the upper bass, which may cause them to sound "leaner" than some other speakers. Similarly, they are not "goosed" through the presence region, which can cause them to sound a bit more recessed or less dynamic than many other high end designs. If your previous speakers had both of these characteristics, you might perceive the change of tonal balance in the Ohms as "mid-range forward".

Just a thought.

Marty

Probably break-in.

Newer 1000 series wit different drivers could break in differently than the prior incarnations.

Something I have found worth keeping in mind is ICs used make a huge difference in tonal balance, impact, attack and most other sonic attributes as well.

From my experience, I'm recommending the DNM Reson ICs for use with the OHMs. They are all business only and sound absolutely fantastic, dare I say near perfect in every way.