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

Rpfef,

Plinius SA100/MkIII is 100 w/ch correct?

That's OK, but probably not enough to bring out the best in any OHM Walshes, particularly in regards to bass impact based on my experience with them.

I would think that would go pretty loud still though large scale classical music like you describe in particular may not be up to snuff.

I can say with confidence that the more recent OHMs with a high power, high current SS amp behind them matches the best systems I have heard in this regard. Recent Class D amp breakthroughs raise the bar in terms of amp size and power consumption needed to drive them to the max for music that requires a lot of power behind it to deliver.

Always have heard good things about Shahinian but unfortunately have never heard those. thanks for sharing!

One thing I notice about Shahinian versus OHM is Shahinian has a forward firing woofer I believe. The OHM Walsh driver fires downward. A forward firing driver might impart more low end impact that can be felt to a listener sitting in front than a downward firing in that more sound reaches the listener directly, all other factors aside.

This difference in the presenation of OHm Walsh speakers is something that people should be aware of and I believes help drive the need for higher power amps. Those who are used to speaker or subwoofer drivers firing directly at them might be put off by a seeming lack of impact by the Walsh drivers in comparison. A smaller percentage of the sound produced reaches your ears directly with the OHMS or even other mostly omni designs, like mbl. Once you feed these enough power to really energize the entire room (not just your listening position), things start to really shape up.

"Rebbi- do you miss them?"

I don't think Reb will know for sure until he has evaluated the MErlin monitors.

From what I know, I think those are a good choice for assessing what is possible with monitors and the Merlins are probably a good choice for what appears to be a pretty lively room in Rebbi's case.

I tried to end my hunt with the Dynaudio monitors, and they came close, but no cigar in the end. I still like them enough to keep them though. They work as good as anything as a matter of fact in our small sunroom, which also happens to be the most lively room in our house.

I'd be curious to check out Shahinians, particularly the Compass. I'm in the area and I've been in touch with Vasken, so maybe sometime I'l get an audition. If I do, I'll report back...

I have a feeling I'd like the Compass, the only problem is they're larger than the MicroWalsh, and a lot more expensive (I think 4 or 5 times the price).

Just so you'll know, the Shahinian Hawks and Obelisks and Arcs all have a forward firing 8" woofer transmisiion line loaded terminated with a 10" rear firing weighted passive radiator.
I believe their bass power is a function of the loading with the passive.

Plinius SA100MkIII clips at 130W/channel, both channels driven.