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

Tim - I hate to keep flogging this horse, but if you get the opportunity to hear them, the Vandersteen 2Wq subwoofers should solve your issues quite nicely. Unlike most mass-market subs, they are designed to go into a corner, on the floor. In my case, after years of tinkering with a Def Tech PF15 subwoofer (including moving it around, adding a Behringer 1124P parametric EQ and a Paradigm X30 sub controller), I finally got the Def Tech to be somewhat unoffensive for music and useful for films. The Vandys, which I bought two of, used, worked perfectly in the first and only location I've had them in - the front corners of my room. These are not "bass freak" subs; they are accurate, musical subs that will produce tuneful, extended, clean bass, and plenty of it, but only when the music calls for it. Best of all, now that I have the Ohms, I can attest that the 2Wq blends seemlessly and easily with at least the Ohms and Vandersteen mains. I suspect they will blend well with most loudspeakers that are solid down to 40Hz. I urge you to check them out at the Vandersteen web site, since the design concept and connection scheme is a bit different than the usual subwoofer. I would guess that, if you only need a sub for the center and surrounds, the home theater version of this subwoofer would suffice, but I haven't heard it in a long time, so YMMV.

Tim,

I've written pretty extensively on the Velodyne SMS-1 sub controller. You may want to search these threads and check it out. Unless you are using DD series Velodyne subs, this device is absolutely transformative. It may take some work, but a decent sub (or 2 or 3) with an SMS-1 will get smooth bass response in even a difficult room (like mine) and seamless crossover to your mains, to boot.

Good Luck

Marty

Thanks Bond/Marty on the sub info. My biggest problem with subs is a good place to put them to start with. My living room which is also my listening room, is rather odd. It is a good sounding room, just that it is broken up by entryway/hallways and a kitchen/dining area opening. No real corners that are usable for the most part. And floor space too is at a premium.

The other issue is the same issue for surround, running wires. It will take running them overhead in the attic and fishing them down two walls, one is easy, the other not so much. Everything is do-able, just time, money and a lot of effort. I am willing to go to take this on, but also taking my time before jumping in whole-hog.

If I decide to do the whole surround A/V thing, the subs probably will be the last thing I tackle. I will get the rears in place and go from there. Again, sometimes I think why bother, I get extremely good sound in 2-channel mode for video/movies. I am sometimes amazed at the enveloping sound I get with either my Ohm's or the Magnepan's when in the system. Agreed it isn't the same thing as "surround", but pretty darn good!

I already have an Anthem AVM-30 processor, Anthem MCA-20 and PVA-2 amps, so the real hard part is already available. I just happen to love my Audio Research gear too, and do to space, I can really only have one system. Music is my main priority anyway. I know, tough to live with huh?

Rebbi, that 1000th magical post is right around the corner! Tim

I step away for a couple of days and come back to an explosion of new posts -- and just a post or two away from 1000...

Finally, I get to read some real-world experiences from someone who is using these in a multi-channel set-up. Bondmanp, thanks for describing your experiences in using these in a surround-sound setting. I, too, found your experience interesting in that you are not using matching speakers all around –even using a Vandersteen for the all-important center speaker, all with good effect. Unless you have an acoustically-transparent screen, it will be difficult to use three matching speakers across the front when watching movies/concerts.

So, your report of good results is very encouraging. This sense of transparency and great sound quality is very important. Many of you have previously reported that you get an apparent 3D projection of music into your space and this provides a very wide listening area. Since I typically move around a lot when I listen to music, and often need to sit off-axis, what I am reading from you all is that this “you are there” experience has tipped the scales for me. I am budgeting now for a pair, maybe the 3000s, to start. I hope by this summer I can report back on my own experiences.

1000 Yea..... I think I will buy some OHM's now.