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

Rbf,

In general, listen for any audible signs of distortion or breakup usually due to amp clipping. When an amp clips, distortion will start to become audible during louder musical peaks and upping the volume further results in more distortion than increased volume as expected. I have never been able to overdrive any OHMs I have owned and get them to breakup otherwise. I suppose it is possible with a larger amp on a smaller OHM like a MWT. I doubt a Peachtree Nove would overdrive any OHM Walsh, so clipping as I described above is the thing most likely to watch out for.

Rbf,

For rock/prog/metal music at louder, real life type volumes, clipping is quite common with many amp/speaker combos. It comes into play gradually as volume goes up. If it is noticeable with the Nova/OHM combo, there are two possible solutions. A more powerful/beefier amp for use with the OHMS or more efficient speakers for use with the Nova. My recommendation for the best end results for that kind of music assuming one likes what the OHMs can do in general at lower to moderate volume before clipping might become a factor would be to get the biggest, beefiest amp possible for the OHMs. Class D amps can do this effectively in a smaller lighter package than other types if needed. That is how I ended up where I am today to max out performance of my big OHM 5s. Smaller OHMS in smaller rooms will be less demanding of the amplification.

So if it was between Kimber 4VS cables and Signal Cable Ultra cables, any reason I should go with one or the other for my Microtalls? I found an 8ft. pair of the Signals used for $55...seems like it'd be worth it, unless the Kimber's are considered a better match for the Walshes.

Batch - What Frazuer said, +1. I ran them plenty, and at all levels, during the trial period, and the changes were significant and obvious. FWIW, I don't think break-in, especially for loudspeakers, has much to do with "getting used to" the new speakers. Ask John Strohbeen or any speaker designer: The various materials in a loudspeaker, from the glues to the cone material to the caps in the crossovers all get excersized during the break in process, and as they flex, they eventually settle in to sounding as they were designed to. But fresh out of the box, the materials will not produce the intended sound.

Rbf1138: The Signal Cables would be a great buy, and at that price, easy to resell if you want to upgrade. I'd suggest picking them up, then, over time, audition cables, ones that can be returned, verses the Signal Cables, and see if you hear an improvement worth paying up for.

Bondman,
Thanks for the info. And you'll be happy to know I ended up taking your & Map's advise and dumped the vintage Kenwood for powering the 2.2000s and replaced it with a Valve Audio Predator -- which made a huge difference.