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

My micro Talls stunned me last night. I've been reading all the ohm threads, and mapman said if the imaging seems unbalanced, to try toeing the speakers out to get more exposure to the super tweeter on the weaker speaker. When I toed out the left speaker about 1/2 inch, BOOM! The sound was now balanced, and you could tell that the room was energized with the sound from whatever the local FM station was playing at the moment. I thought "I've finally got them dialed in, this is what they're supposed to sound like" But that's not the best part. I was standing in my room directly in front of the right speaker about 7 feet back, when the music suddenly stopped. Then a lone bass note along with some noise came out of the area by the the left speaker, then the sound proceeded to go along the left wall, and then come straight at me and immerse me with sound, I mean that I could "see" the sound moving and track it comming at me, and even though I was at the far right wall of my room the sound was all encompassing. I have never experienced this with ANY other speaker I've owned, not even with my former system that had the Carver "Sonic Holography" Like I said, the experience left me stunned, and extremely happy. I'm now tempted to upgrade to a set of the 100's, which would be the largest size that my 11x11' room could accomodate, but I'll have to call John at Ohm to discuss all the details. I would like to know if there are any other Ohm owners with similar experiences

Joe, when I had the OW2/2000's for test, I can remember many times that they would surprise me. If everything is set up properly, I am always amazed at how they sound even when listening from very unconventional hi-fi positions, off axis, walking around the room etc. I have been so used to sitting more head-in-vise with my Magnepans, and with the Ohm's, I don't worry over it so much, it just doesn't seem to matter.

One Sunday morning I was sitting a good bit back from the speakers, even outside of the left-hand speaker. I was listening to a morning show called OverEasy, usually good acoustical stuff. Neil Young's Harvest Moon was playing and I had been reading and I just dropped the book in my lap and sat there just totally transfixed on just the music. It just sounded so real, lifelike. And I can't say that I am especially a big Neal Young fan overall! Yet sitting in that position, I still had it all there, great soundstage, and just a wonderful musical event.

I sometimes find it difficult to put into words just what these speakers do. It isn't like they force me to listen, or that they draw me into the performance really, they just are very natural performers and make great music! It is so easy to listen to music through these transducers, other speakers soemtimes can be hard to really listen to or I seem to be listening too hard that it is almost work! Not with these.

I think John has done a super job of voicing these, very incredible really. Any good live recording especially is pretty amazing. I am so looking forward to getting my 3000's going. It has been a long road getting here, but one I think will be special for a long time-that is until I can maybe afford 5000's! I am glad to hear that so many of you guys have enjoyed them as much as I did years ago, and soon will again. By the way, I would put in a plug for the Super 2000 upgrade, that is a great cost-effective upgrade if anybody already owns OW2 cabinets with original drivers. And if you don't, John can get you fixed up, especially if like myself, tend to like the older style cabinets. Enjoy the music! Tim

Frazeur1, thanks for your response. I really can't praise these speakers enough. Recently, I put on an album by Bill Nelson called Atom Shop. I've listened to this album on my bose tri-port headphones, on friends systems, and in my car. I thought that I knew this album really well until I put it through the Ohms. On the Ohms, the soundstage is huge, floor to ceiling and just disolved the back and side walls. There is also a lot of low end energy that I never heard which contributes to the feeling that everything is larger than life. It's funny when you listen and with your eyes closed the speaklers sound 10 feet tall, and you open your eyes and look at the "toothpicks" providing the sound.

I think that John Strohbeen should say something on their website like "re-discover your music collection with Ohm speakers" because that's exactly what I've been doing with these speakers. I put on the Stones Sticky Fingers, and Let It Bleed, and I'm hearing things I've never heard before. Now, every time I put on an album, I'm excited because I wonder how it's going to sound. I couldn't be happier. As far as I'm concerned, John has secured a customer for life, and I'll continue to sing the praises of Ohm speakers to friends and anyone else who will listen. I will also audition them for anyone looking for speakers. My son-in law thought I spent too much money until I sat him down and made hin listen to the new Black Eye Peas album The E.N.D. It has enough jaw dropping effects to show people what these speakers can do. My son-in-law no longer thinks I spent too much. I'll have to have a listen to Neil Young's Harvest Moon, and could use more suggestions on music that shows off the Ohms best qualities. Suggestions anyone??? Thanks, Joe

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Joe, if you like some jazz, I love the Yellowjackets and their LiveWires disc. Maybe not the best of their collection, but just a good live album. Another album that I like but gets a bit twangy for me, is Allison Krause Live, with this one cooking it is just pretty amazing, very dynamic and just plain good. I also like Lyle Lovett's Joshua Judges Ruth, it is a very good mix to listen to. KD Lang's Ingenue, vocals to die for. Basically, most anything I have listened to gets portrayed in a wonderfully realistic way on the Ohm's.

I think the Ohm does extremely well, regardless if the album is live or a studio recording, it just sounds right. I have heard some people complain about the Ohm's sounding unrealistic on some studio albums, but so far, I can't say that it has happened to me.

I am glad you are enjoying them Joe. It does make me want to get out and buy more music. So much for my budget. Thanks for that John! Enjoy, Tim

Frazeur1, thanks for the suggestions. I don't have any yellowjackets yet, but I do have alison Krauss and Lyle Lovett, and will check them out. If you're into Beck, check out the Midnight Vultures and Odelay discs. Both of these are a fun listen that surprised me with effects that aren't apparent through headphones or conventional speakers. As for Jazz, anything by Sade or Steely Dan makes the Ohms sound spectacular. Like I said, I'm re-discovering my music collection and having the time of my life doing it. Joe