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

"I myself have some recordings that are unbearable on my MWT's, foremost being 'In the Court of the Crimson King" 80's CD pressing by King Crimson. Unlistenable since I got the Ohm's (I have not gotten the remaster yet). The speakers are just too damn revealing sometimes, I guess."

I have the remaster. I think I read somewhere that the remaster was the first time in the digital age that this monument recording has been done well. It sounds very good for the first time ever to me on any of my speakers, but best on the OHMs. Even the ambient section of "Moonchild", which had never drawn my attention before, sucks me way in despite the fact that so little (yet still so much) is going on.

Joefish said:

" I got the Beatles 2009 remasters recently, and for better or worse, they show you what's there, warts and all. "

YEs, I have the monos and a few stereo remasters. Overall, they are the best digital versions I have heard and the OHMs reveal everything from the best to worst. Everything is on my music server, which makes it easy to a/b different versions of songs or compare any two recordings back to back as desired, so I think I have some good experience here.

Joe,

Which model OHMs do you have specifically and which Yamaha receiver?

100 watts will do a good job on most all OHMs, but lareger ones can take and benefit from more. Also, receivers are generally not great at delivering lots of current which all OHM Walshes love. I suspect 100 watts out of a good high current power amp will do much better.

And yes, it is possible that distortion is in certain piano recordings. Piano can have a large range of dynamics and transients compared to most instruments and recording this well is no easier than playing it back. The OHMs should not break a sweat playing back piano recordings if the recordings are done well and everything is clicking as it should.

Joefish - A lot depends on your room. If your room is very large, you will be pushing them harder for the same apparent output level. If pushed too hard, the Yammi could clip, and that could damage the super-tweeter in the MWT (or any speaker). You might not even realize it is clipping until it's too late. However, if you're room is not too large for the MWTs, and you don't over do it on the volume level, you should be fine.

Big news!

My invitation to members of my local audio club has paid off big time. Last night, one of the more knowledgeable members of the club came by.

Perhaps it was sloth, perhaps a reluctance to buy into the importance of the room and setup, but there were a few things I should have done, but never did, that this fellow helped me with last night. We removed my old speakers from the sidewalls, installed some basic acoustic treatments, and carefully dialed-in and leveled the Ohms. The cumulative effect of all this was significant.

He identified a forwardness in the mids as a possible source of my issues with piano notes in the midrange. More toe-in and careful leveling reduced this issue to a large degree. Although I have yet to revisit the offending recordings, the CDs and LPs my new best friend brought with him last night sounded fantastic. His well-trained ears were able to detect a decent amount of depth, and good detail at the rear of the soundstage. These are things I have never been able to hear myself. (Is it possible that, as with some people's vision, I have poor depth perception in audio terms?)

There was occasionally a little sharpness on higher piano notes, in the lower treble range, but the distorted midrange notes were no longer in evidence.

In any case, my guest felt that by the time he was ready to leave, that the Ohms were sounding very good, and has encouraged other club members to stop by and hear them. Considering how much experience he has as a listener, I can't imagine a better compliment.

More club members have asked to come over, so I will keep you all posted.

Bondmanp,

Glad to hear it.

4 or more trained ears are always better than two!