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Ohm Walsh

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In Reply to: Re: But whats the theory? posted by mamboni on February 10, 2007 at 13:12:14:

Thanks for your insight on the Walsh 5 Series 3. I have owned Ohm products in the distant past (still have the Ohm Fs in the basement). See link below.
What is your opinion in using speakers of such wide dispersion characteristics in a multi-channel system (audio only such as multi-channel SACD; *not* Home Theater)? The reason I ask is because I have heard that certain types of speakers, such as dipoles (which I realize that the Walsh 5 is not) should not be used in a music multi-channel system; that only direct radiators should be employed instead in such a system.
But based on the wonderful experiences I had with the Ohm F (and auditions with the Huff System 3) the prospects of having five Walsh 5 speakers in a SACD multi-channel system sounds very tempting. But it could be a disaster. I have written Ohm about this type of set up but they have not responded. I don't think I'm serious.
Thanks.

Robert C. Lang

Ohm F (Open in New Window)

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Re: Ohm Walsh - mamboni 20:59:39 02/10/07 (1)
I honestly cannot respond to your question based on direct experience, of which I have none. However, the Ohm Walshes have been optimized to produce a virtual perfect power-amplitude response across the entire audio spectrum from 20 hz to 20 kHz across a hemispheric (180 degrees; semi-spherical) sound field directed into the interior (center) of the roomn, whilst eliminating colorations due to lobing, baffle step and phase-time shift. This results in a loudspeaker that while ostensibly high dispersion (though not more than a well-designed multi-driver minimum baffle design such as Vandersteen [excellent loudspeakers BTW] and B&W full scale models) has remarkable insensitivity to room placement. Yes, the room is important. But, I fully espect that the Walshs would work well in such a setup as you contemplate. The Walshs have an uncanny ability to sound good in sundry rooms of varying shape, size and damping, and superimpose an enveloping acoustic that semms to make the room boundaries disappear. The coherence of the Walsh line source obviates room colorations due to off-axis) reflected sound, as the off-axis response is so similar to the on-axis response. For example, Walsh loudspeakers sound just as good in the room as outside the room - ordinary loudspeakers fall apart outside of the sweet spot, let alone in the next room.
- Re: Ohm Walsh - Robert C. Lang 22:20:59 02/10/07 (0)
  Yes. You make a good point I had forgotten about; the Walsh 5 driver has been consciously designed to attenuate/limit dispersion to 180 degrees and, thus, does not function as an omni directional speaker. (It's direct precedessor, the Ohm [Walsh] F was 360 degrees in the horizontal plane and as an omni probably would not have served high-end multi-channel optimally).
  The room should not be a problem. I was able to place the Ohm F comfortably (the F required placement about 5 feet from any wall to perform optimally).
  Yes, I agree that the Vandersteen 5A is, too, a great speaker. I am very familiar with them. However, if the Walsh 5 is in the same sound quality level as the Vandersteen five of them (5 full range speakers are required for high quality SACD multi-channel) would be about half the cost of five Vandersteen 5As. Very tempting.
  Thanks.
  
  Robert C. Lang

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