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

"How would these compare to DecWare ERR Radials? Are there other similar designs out there?"

Have not heard the DECWares to compare but from what I read, the design seems closest to some of the smaller OHM Walsh CLS perhaps as anything I have seen. They do not mention using Walsh technology or applying a wave bending approach, but the driver configuration appears similar to OHM CLS/Walsh. The OHMs appear to be designed by default (custom mods can be requested) to work better closer to walls perhaps.

Thanks for the info gents. I kind of suspected that even the new ones were going to be rather hungry. I'll probably end up pairing the 2.2 w/ a nice big vintage receiver (i.e., Sansui G series or Marantz 2300 line).

BAtch,

Having cut my teeth pairing OHMs and other speakers with many vintage receivers years ago at Tech Hifi, I think you can do a lot better soundwise with the new OHMs than you can with any vintage receiver.

SIngle unit receivers generally have to compromise on power supplies and current delivery in order to work well. They are at the far end of the spectrum from what will work best. Not that it won't sound good, just not likely to max out what the OHMs can do. A good integrated is likely better but I would recommend even a separate power amp or even monoblocks in general for best results if possible. I'd look at some of the less expensive Class D amps as a great place to start, perhaps even used.

Regarding using tube amps, yes, many report good results with tube amps. In many cases, I think people with tube amps also use separate powered subwoofers to offload the heavy power requirements for the low end from the tube amp so it is better able to work its magic elsewhere. Its surely a personal preference/taste type thing also to some extent, but personally I believe one would need a fairly heft tube amp indeed to power at least the larger OHMs to their maximum potential solo.

I can also recommend the TAD 125 Hibachi monoblocks to make the OHMs sing more along the lines of a tube amp. These can come in used on Agon for well under $1000 a pair and are a fantastic bargain. The only caveat is that TAD shut down operations recently and the owner who had a sterling reputation for his designs and customer service unfortunately passed away recently as well, so any servicing down the road would have to be done elsewhere. But that should help assure very favorable used prices for those interested.