Ohm Acoustics "Upgrades". I Stand Corrected.
- Thread starter MetalDaze
- Start date
MetalDaze
Active Member
Looking at the implementation this is how it appears on the surface. But they must damp the woofer similarly to how it was done in the A and F. To keep the cone stiff and the waves propagating @ 90 degrees off of it in a coherent means.
Otherwise it would just be a piston transducer firing downwards into the cabinet, possibly rattling itself to pieces in the process. No? I've thought about this & assumed when they say they've learned a lot over 40 years in improving the Walsh style design. Its in reference to this. In one way or another.
MetalDaze
Active Member
I've seen some around on the second hand market a bit. But have never heard a pair myself.
Bill S
Thread Killer
Not very many Ohm speakers in my neck of the woods but I have recently heard a pair of refreshed C2 s that sounded really good for a smallish speaker. Then I found out what the cost was to get the drivers rebuilt with the SBA upgraded. You could buy a complete pair of nice speakers for that coin. I've also heard their older Cam Pro 32 which didn't sound bad but I wasn't crazy about the stick on vinyl cabs and the egg tweeter on top. Their shipping costs seem very high to me as well.
My friend recently sent the Cam Pro passives back for refoaming and when he got them back, the ones he received were the wrong size! A phone call ensued and the person he talked to argued with him that this just wasn't possible. He took several pics showing they were way to small and was finally told to send them back. I didn't know he even did this or I would have just refoamed them for him. I don't recall the cost but it was quite high, especially once you added shipping. If their labor rates for repair/refurbish are the same rates for building their current line, they can't compete.
My friend recently sent the Cam Pro passives back for refoaming and when he got them back, the ones he received were the wrong size! A phone call ensued and the person he talked to argued with him that this just wasn't possible. He took several pics showing they were way to small and was finally told to send them back. I didn't know he even did this or I would have just refoamed them for him. I don't recall the cost but it was quite high, especially once you added shipping. If their labor rates for repair/refurbish are the same rates for building their current line, they can't compete.
MetalDaze
Active Member
I'm not surprised there was a mix up. There are two models of that speaker. The Cam 16 and the 32. I believe one was a 6" woofer with an 8" passive, and then an 8" with a 10" passive. Something to that effect.
If you ever see the inside of the current location. Calling it organized chaos is overly generous. I can't tell you how many times I've had to call them for the smallest thing. Like ordering my SBA's, waiting over a month. Calling back only to find out they never made me an invoice or purchase order.
They didn't even remember our conversation or that I had placed an order. Pretty ridiculous they were arguing with you about it. Probably because they didn't want to eat their own shipping costs after yet another dissatisfied customer.
I'm guessing their rates for the two are the same. Which I really wouldn't have a problem with. If the quality of the work was to the same standard they exercise on their new speakers.
It's probably been a good 15 years ago but I had an encounter with John S. that convinced me to NEVER deal with Ohm.
I had gotten a pair of Walsh 5s locally for a decent price. One of the two was missing it's HF output. Contacted Ohm and inquired as to what they thought the problem might be. All I got was them trying to convince me to box up BOTH cans, ship to them for repair, insure for some outrageous amount of money, etc. No useable technical info was offered, just a "send us everything" and give us $$$ and we'll fix it for you.
Not wanting to go through all that trouble and expense to solve what might be a simple problem. I figured no it's probably a capacitor or tweeter problem. Took the can off and did a little investigating. Sure enough..... dead tweeter. Contacted Ohm again, and asked about a replacement tweeter. Response was no, we don't do that, just send both cans back and we'll fix them.............. and since you pulled the can apart we might have to charge extra for the damage you caused. Huh?? What damage? I took a series of very high resolution photos, sent them to John and asked "what damage"? His response.................."we'll see".
I decided on the spot that I would never deal with someone like that.
I lucked out and found a label on the tweeter............. it was a very high quality looking MB Quart unit. I was able to find one on Ebay in Germany. Had it shipped to me at a cost of $45 including shipping.
I had gotten a pair of Walsh 5s locally for a decent price. One of the two was missing it's HF output. Contacted Ohm and inquired as to what they thought the problem might be. All I got was them trying to convince me to box up BOTH cans, ship to them for repair, insure for some outrageous amount of money, etc. No useable technical info was offered, just a "send us everything" and give us $$$ and we'll fix it for you.
Not wanting to go through all that trouble and expense to solve what might be a simple problem. I figured no it's probably a capacitor or tweeter problem. Took the can off and did a little investigating. Sure enough..... dead tweeter. Contacted Ohm again, and asked about a replacement tweeter. Response was no, we don't do that, just send both cans back and we'll fix them.............. and since you pulled the can apart we might have to charge extra for the damage you caused. Huh?? What damage? I took a series of very high resolution photos, sent them to John and asked "what damage"? His response.................."we'll see".
I decided on the spot that I would never deal with someone like that.
I lucked out and found a label on the tweeter............. it was a very high quality looking MB Quart unit. I was able to find one on Ebay in Germany. Had it shipped to me at a cost of $45 including shipping.
MetalDaze
Active Member
That's pretty much what I have heard from others as well. Again, ridiculous because THEY TELL YOU- can't afford a new set? Buy vintage and refurbish them through us! Then you do, and this is what happens.
I had a similar problem with my original Walsh 2's. It was only a fuse so the charge was something like $25 plus shipping. I'm not far from NYC so I found that fair. But the air of the interaction you mention still floats around.
My most recent call to them about the "vent adapters" was also about possibly restoring/updating a pair of F's. After someone at the factory telling me a few years ago any one of the bookshelf speakers of theirs would be an 'end game'. Then turns around on the phone and tells me "yeah none of those speakers are really THAT good. If I were you I'd trade in all but your Walsh 2's towards a pair of 5000's" ...
So they want my updated conventional speakers back, to sell at a high premium, while also have me shell out thousands of dollars for their "latest and greatest". Double dipping much?
Grainger will sell short lengths, and you can get a huge range of od/id. Clear pvc is pretty cheap, and looks great. Most tubes are sold by inner diameter, but polycarbonate and some others go by the od too. 5" is not a "standard" pipe size so hardware stores and such will very likely disappoint.
You can also "roll your own" cardboard tubes with heavy paper over a pvc tube and then slide the tube out.
@baco99 might also be a really good resource for you.
But honestly, after reading your saga, I'd call them and get my money back. That's the worst service I've heard of yet. Sad, I loved my old ohms.
Old Ohm speakers are easily restorable without going the factory route! As many have now discovered that going with the factory you spend alot more money and actually end up with an inferior speaker than you started with. Plenty of parts available though Ak's bartertown or ebay with some patience at a fraction of the cost and are older original drivers which were build to much higher standards...
PEOPLE WAKE UP AND STOP CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEM!!!! CAVEAT EMPTOR
PEOPLE WAKE UP AND STOP CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROBLEM!!!! CAVEAT EMPTOR
I always thought it was interesting that Ohm would claim they could not rebuild the original Ohm F speakers, but for some reason they wanted the magnet and structure back if you 'upgraded' to one of their new mystery cans.
If you can't rebuild the original style, why do you want them back?
If you can't rebuild the original style, why do you want them back?
MetalDaze
Active Member
I always thought it was interesting that Ohm would claim they could not rebuild the original Ohm F speakers, but for some reason they wanted the magnet and structure back if you 'upgraded' to one of their new mystery cans.
If you can't rebuild the original style, why do you want them back?
Probably for the recycling of raw materials. Good $$ in scrap and precious metals. The upper most portion of the F driver is Titanium. The mid range is Aluminum, and the bass frequencies are a heavy damped paper with the slits carefully located to truncate the waves. Stopping them from traveling back up the cone after terminating on the surround.
I think the magnet was like 6lbs? And then there's the steel tower structure as well.
HiFiJeff
Super Member
Man, I read another post somewhere about OHM duct taping a driver or tweeter or something to that end. Sound like the Q&C is severly lacking with this company. I came so close to ordering pair of speakers from them too. I even gave my CC for the intial down. Cancelled my order though. Funny thing is, I just recently received a bunch of wood samples and a letter from OHM thanking me for my purchase. Maybe they will send me some free speakers too. 
MetalDaze
Active Member
It is sad. I have and always will love my Ohm speakers. But I want nothing less than to interact with them any more. I think cut ties is probably best.
They likely have a deal with HHR who totally rebuilds the top section of ohm F's and resells an awesome new Ohm Walsh F Speakers for 15,000.00. They also sell redone Walsh A's for 30,000!
If I have the cash id buy these in a heartbeat over any new OHM product!!!
If I have the cash id buy these in a heartbeat over any new OHM product!!!
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Closest I've gotten is a pair of Spherex "Xbox" speakers I use as computer speakers. Really cool, a smaller versioin of the Omnisats. Made by the same parent company of Mirage and Energy speakers.
MetalDaze
Active Member
Man, I read another post somewhere about OHM duct taping a driver or tweeter or something to that end. Sound like the Q&C is severly lacking with this company. I came so close to ordering pair of speakers from them too. I even gave my CC for the intial down. Cancelled my order though. Funny thing is, I just recently received a bunch of wood samples and a letter from OHM thanking me for my purchase. Maybe they will send me some free speakers too.
Sad to admit but it is. I don't know what is going on with them, but it's been a downward trend or so it seems. That would be sadly hilarious. I can imagine them shipping them, only to see you canceled after they sent them. Being as disorganized as they make themselves look.
MetalDaze
Active Member
This is something I never considered. And very well may be the case. HHR may buy the used drivers for some whole sale cost, along with a small percentage kick back on the new sales.
Although I have no idea or affiliation, just purely speculation. But it does make sense.
These joke of speakers sell for 11,000.00 set!!
Our patented Walsh driver technology gives you the best value in speakers for audio and home theater, guaranteed. This technology also provides the most firm, precise stereo imaging over the widest sweet-sweep from any speaker in existence. This means extraordinarily natural, intelligible vocal reproduction for both music and films.
Select series to view pricing, and add to cart:
F-5015
The F-5015 is the best speaker we have ever made. It features the driver from our top-of-the-line Walsh Tall series, mounted in a separate enclosure on top of a recycled cabinet from the legendary Ohm F, which houses a 15" Xtreme Xcursion sub-woofer with a dedicated 500 Watt sub-woofer amplifier in each channel.
-
F-5015 in Red Walnut
F-5015 in Red Walnut
Super Sound Cylinder in Oak
Super Walsh 3.3010 in Maple
Super Walsh 4.4012 in Rosewood
Our patented Walsh driver technology gives you the best value in speakers for audio and home theater, guaranteed. This technology also provides the most firm, precise stereo imaging over the widest sweet-sweep from any speaker in existence. This means extraordinarily natural, intelligible vocal reproduction for both music and films.
- All of our speakers are hand made in the USA and can be totally customized in shape and finish to fit your needs and room decor.
- You can browse our selection of veneers and choose one to match your room, and we can send you physical samples for final confirmation.
Select series to view pricing, and add to cart:
F-5015
The F-5015 is the best speaker we have ever made. It features the driver from our top-of-the-line Walsh Tall series, mounted in a separate enclosure on top of a recycled cabinet from the legendary Ohm F, which houses a 15" Xtreme Xcursion sub-woofer with a dedicated 500 Watt sub-woofer amplifier in each channel.
- $5,500ea.
- plus $25 shipping (per speaker, US lower 48) or $49 Shipping (per speaker, Canada)
- Includes 120 Day Home Trial
- Part Number: F-5015
