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Ownership and Review of a pair of Ohm Super Sound Cylinder

Greetings all - I recently ordered a pair of Ohm Super Sound Cylinder speakers, or SSC-4900's. They are in the middle of the Ohm Walsh lineup, and are about 38 inches tall and the cylinder cabinets about 12.5 inches in diameter.

Specs are listed at 88 dB for a 2.8 V input, and a response curve of +/- 3 dB from 25 to 20,000 Hz. 

This whole process is part of a "high end, high value, USA made two channel system" thread I started a couple of months ago on another forum. The electronics are the PS Audio Stellar Gain Pre-amp/DAC and a pair of PS Audio M700 mono amps.

The PS Audio equipment has already elevated the Axiom M100's and Martin Logan Electro Motion ESL speakers in terms of performance. The Axioms have a "twin" available in Brick and Mortar outlets from Bryston called the A1's. 

For reference, other speakers which we have or still have in house include: Klipsch LaScala II's, Legacy Signature SE's, Infinity IRS Sigmas, Ascend Sierras, PSB Strata Goldi, VMPS Super Towers and a host of other speakers. 

The Ohm Walsh speakers have been something about which I have read since 1977 (the year I got the audio bug), but have never had the chance to experience. The SSC-4900's sell for $4900 per pair, though the name and pricing are coincidental. The "4900" is due to the idea that the speakers are "almost a 5000", but with less controls - one switch vs. 4 for the 5000, but also a lower price.

John Strohbeen, who is he president at Ohm and who has been with them for almost 40 years, was gracious enough to spend an hour talking on the phone about our room, the associated gear, and also that there would be a review thread. It was after this discussion that we decided on the SSC-4900's. 

I am purchasing the speakers, not getting a review pair. They are under the 120 day return policy. John is well aware that my daughter sings opera, my son is adept at classical guitar, and that live music is the reference. He was actually quite pleased about this. 

This will be fun (at least for me), and hopefully informative. Comments are welcome. 

I honestly have no idea what to expect from the Walsh sound. They are so different from other speaker designs that the only thing to do is set them up properly and hear what happens! 
craigsub
osteopic's avatar
osteopic
2 posts
 
Thanks for the replies, and suggestions!  I will be watching for any used 4000s or 5000s in SW Florida (I hate the idea of entrusting delicate and expensive anything to the shipping companies).  I'm sure that the sound would be in some way better than DSP adjusted sound for playing my 2000s in a room bigger than they are suited for.  That said, the sound I have right now is pretty great!

I do have a good 12" Velodyne subwoofer for music, and a not-so-good Klipsh subwoofer that is just used for LFE with movies.  Because of that, the problem was never the low bass, but more like the 80-800 Hz range.  And the reason I got the 2000s despite seeing the room size recommendations was my own ignorance.  My "listening area" is about 18x20x8.  2880 ft3 is appropriate for 2000s, and Evan actually said I could go down to the 1000s if I preferred.  However, this listening area (living room) is just one part of a much bigger room as it is open to a kitchen area to the back, a dining area to one side, and an entrance area to the other side.  Just looking at the walls, the whole room is more like 8000 cubic feet.  I didn't understand that is what matters, not where the couches are!  Oh well, live and learn.  These Ohms replaced a pair of Vienna Acoustics Schonberg speakers that sounded good, but not amazing.  Well, those have been moved into the master bedroom, where they suddenly sound truly amazing; I guess they weren't suited for 8,000 cubic feet either!
monstertruck9882
12 posts
 
Many thanks to the OP for posting about his experience and to everyone else who chimed in about Ohm speakers. Partly on this basis I have ordered the 4900's for my large room. After a few years off from being an audiophile I am back in the game. Listening to music I like from a Sonos just was not cutting it at all. Plus, I want my young daughter to really experience the music she clearly digs. 

Besides the Ohm SSC-4900's I have ordered an Apollon Audio Stereo AS1200 Amplifier to drive them. Should be enough power ha ha. Debating music streamers now. Might try Marantz NA6006 or a Bluesound Node 2i (possibly with a Schitt Bitfrost). Just gonna stream Amazon HD so don't need anything else. 

FWIW I used to be in deep. Had all Audio Research amp electronics, an EAD CD player, fancy cables, VPI Aries turntable, etc. and Dunlavy SC-IVa speakers. I had a pretty good sounding system. 

Recently, I got a Schitt Jotunheim and an Audeze LCD-X and have really been enjoying that streaming from my Macbook. Looking forward to sharing music again.
bondmanp
1,817 posts
 
Enjoy, monsterstruck! Interesting that you’re looking at the Marantz NA6006. I heard it recently in a friend’s second, modest system, and I was highly impressed. If it matters, he pointed out that the Marantz is DLNA compliant, but the Bluesound is not.
seekr613
1 posts
 
This thread is awesome. I've wanted ohm cylinders the last couple years just based on their Rep. This thread answered so many questions, I now know these have to be in my setup one day soon. 

If anyone ever wants to sell or demo a pair, especially in the Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal area, please let me know. 
roysq
32 posts
 
I find myself coming to this thread a lot after having demo'd the Ohm Walsh speakers a few times.  I'm very impressed.  Now I'm trying to rationalize dropping the coin on a pair of used 5000's as they never come up used.  But I stay on top of all the used audio sites and out of nowhere 2 pairs of 5000's are out there used....  ARGH!  Budget time.  

Wasn't sure I could swing the 5000's, but love the idea of the adjustability on them if I change rooms etc.   Must... be... financially responsible...
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