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
Frazeur1...impressive indeed that the MWTs can generate an image as big as that! :)
"My Magnepan with subs are maybe a bit more used as an analytical tool"

I tend to think the same way about the Dynaudio monitors that I also use. When one is exposed to more typical stereo "hifi" type sound normally all ones life, it can be hard to totally disassociate with that. But it seems I always levitate to the OHMs for the most pure musical enjoyment.
Moonglum: I suspect I would be pleased with my 2000s even without the subs. I had the Vandersteen subs prior to the Ohms, and I remain infatuated with their ability to play deep, tuneful and powerful bass with no boominess, bloat or overhang. For that reason, when I set out to upgrade from Vandersteen 1C mains, I insisted on speakers that would work with the 2Wq subs (basically, any speaker that has good output down to 40Hz). Since the bigger Ohms go even deeper, you will be fine without a sub.

As for the issues arising from running the Walsh driver nearly full-range, I see this as a huge advantage over other speakers. Speakers that are crossed over in the critical midrange or a bit higher usually dissappoint me. There is something special about a speaker that has no crossover in the belly of the frequency curve. I have never liked full-range dynamic drivers, but the Ohm Walshes are quite different. I would think that their radiation pattern would eliminate any issues of beaming at higher frequencies. And, John Strohbeen just knows how to voice speakers, period.

I have wondered, however, what my 2000s would sound like with either a more expensive tweeter or different crossover. But I am reluctant to mess with what I consider a really terrific design.
Moonglum, yes it is indeed, some recordings like the one I was listening to from the Who sounded way to overblown, but let's face it, it is a fairly old recording too. Most of the time I find both the Ohm MWT's and my 3/3000's to be just right with image height overall.

Map, I too feel the same way, when I just want to sit back and totally relax, the Ohm's are the way I go. Sometimes though, it is very recording dependant and the mood. It is hard to take off the "analytical" hat sometimes.

Bond, I agree, John does know how to voice a speaker, no doubt. Speaking of messing with the drivers, I have a pair of original 3XO drivers and I have been tempted to do some playing myself, but in the end, I just let it be. Even the older original drivers are very good, in some ways maybe even better-dare I say that(ready for flame suit)?
By the way, for another interesting omni, check out the Decware ERR speaker. One currently available for sale here on the 'Gon. It is similar in appearance to the older Ohm cabinets, but the tweeter is a ribbon and uses Decware's own twist on the main radial driver. A passive radiator is in place in the bottom of the cabinet. I have really wanted to listen to this speaker, need to take a little trip to Peoria someday and check it out, very intriguing! Extremely nice cabinets/quality too. The guys at Decware are top-notch too. Just another alternative. Tim