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

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.

Frazeur1, Martykl, Mapman: All good thoughts. I am not the kind of guy who opens up gear or speakers (except maybe to change a tube), so whatever is inside the cabinets of the 2000s will stay there. Also, it is not really a mid-bass hump; it's much higher up than that, perhaps in the lower mids, 300-400Hz. And remember this is a newer phenomenon, only a few weeks old. That's why I think it is a break-in issue. Listened last night to a CD of Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique. There was very little of the aberation I was hearing in this range. Jury is still out. I agree that a speaker that resolves this well will benefit from improvements in ancillary items like cabling, as well as electronics. Lean times are going to keep me from trying these things for at least a few months. And when I do have the cash, first priority are those spiked bases from Sound Anchors.

Lat night I listened to a CD of Copland pieces, including Fanfare for the Common Man and Appalachian Spring. Although there was no piano in the mix (piano pieces were the worst offenders of the lower midrange abberation I was hearing), the sound was smooth and nicely balanced top to bottom. As more experienced Ohm Walsh owners often say, it just sounded "right".

I am also ready to pronounce the macro-dynamic capabilities of the 2000s as improved to the point where this is no longer an issue. Without hooking my Vandersteen 1Cs (which were surprisingly dynamic) up again, I feel that the dynamic impact on sudden swings in volume are at least sufficient to startle, if not quite what the Vandys had. Perhaps, with the reduced efficiency of the 2000s relative to the Vandys, my amp is a bit "challenged" on peaks. Although my Odyssey is only rated at 150 watts per, it has a lot of current output, and huge capacitance (60,000 mf per channel). It is plugged into a PS Audio Quintet, which PS Audio claims will not limit current to the amp.

The soundstage literally extended beyond the sidewalls. A truly ethereal experience! Try listening with the lights off - the walls melt away from one's vision and hearing.

Bond, very good, I do find the Ohm's to be "just right". I think another aspect of them that I am always amazed with is the height of the performers. They almost always seem to be the proper height/proportion, not some rinky-dink version of an event. My Magnepans always did a wonderful job on that and something I am glad the Ohm's do as well.

I would say your Odyssey amp is more than capable for the task at hand. Good amplifier! Built right here in my hometown. Hmmm, maybe I should try one at aome point! Enjoy your music Bond! Tim