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


Hi,

I'd love to hear the impressions of people who've actually spent some time with these speakers to share their sense of their plusses and minuses. Mapman here on Audiogon is a big fan, and has shared lots on them, but I'm wondering who else might be familiar with them.
rebbi
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.
Mapman has some interesting observations about the nature of bass from Ohms vs. conventional dynamic speakers. It bears repeating that, if you can achieve linear response and a seemless blend, a good subwoofer or two with the Ohm Walsh speakers makes for an appealing presentation, as far as I am concerned.

I have been aware of the excellent reputation of Shahinian speakers for years. The description Rpfef provided has great appeal to me. However, making what is for me a large financial commitment, sight unseen (and unheard), with no recourse other than selling them used if I don't like them, in my room, with my gear, was out of the question.

I fail to understand why Shahinian, which is more similar as a business to Ohm than dissimilar, can't offer an in-home trial period. Assuming Shahinian offered a model comparable in price to the Walsh 2000s, I would have loved to have both in my home for comparison, may the best speaker win. Well, in any event, I continue to enjoy my Ohms!
Everyone quite rightly complains about the difficulty of arranging an audition of speakers not sold through dealers.

Well, here's a proposition:

I own Shahinian Hawks. In the next few days, I will be setting up a pair of Ohm Walsh 200's alongside them.
I live on the coast an easy drive north of San Francisco in Marin County.
Anyone reading this who is interested is welcome to come to my place for a comparison/audition.

Just pop me an email and we can arrange it.
"I own Shahinian Hawks. In the next few days, I will be setting up a pair of Ohm Walsh 200's alongside them."

Should make for some interesting discussion!