Ohm Walsh 4 modern worth?

[Gerald L]

I found a local fellow selling a pair of Ohm Walsh 4s, lowest he's willing to go is $1350 Canadian, which is 1070 USD approximately.

He is the original owner, he's replaced the covers and they were refoamed through a local shop last year.

I'm curious to own a pair of Ohms after hearing nothing but good things over the years, but are they worth that much?

I like the idea that Ohm still supports them with new parts, so no worries there, just don't want to get ripped off.

I've been reading the forums here for years and finally signed up, so hello all as well!

 

[captouch]

A friend and I tried out a couple of pairs almost two years ago. The drivers were refurb'd by Ohm.

We ended up selling our pairs for $775-825 if I recall. And that's in the Bay Area where things can tend to be on the higher side price-wise. So $1070 seems a bit on the high side to me.

 

[Gerald L]

A friend and I tried out a couple of pairs almost two years ago. The drivers were refurb'd by Ohm.

We ended up selling our pairs for $775-825 if I recall. And that's in the Bay Area where things can tend to be on the higher side price-wise. So $1070 seems a bit on the high side to me.

How did you like their sound?

I figured the price was a bit steep, I think I'll offer lower and keep looking, thanks for your help.

 

[Donkey Karma]

A friend and I tried out a couple of pairs almost two years ago. The drivers were refurb'd by Ohm.

We ended up selling our pairs for $775-825 if I recall. And that's in the Bay Area where things can tend to be on the higher side price-wise. So $1070 seems a bit on the high side to me.

Agreed. That price is in the deep end of the pool. Especially if they haven't been gone through since new.

And yes, Ohm still "supports" them. They will goon the h#ll out of you, free country and all so good for them.

They are an acquired taste, which many adore. Many do not.. I would suggest listening to them first.

I'm sure you are aware, but just in case. Do not let the purposely misleading artist's rendering on their media point of sale regarding this model trick you. There is NO Walsh driver hidden inside their mystery cans.

If you know anyone who has cracked the code and been inside those cans. Ask them what they think about them. $5 says they say it looks like they were assembled by a couple of handicapped squirrels

On a good note I have worked on a fair share and don't let them fool you. It's easy peasy to get inside those cans if need be. Common sense and a heat gun.

They are a fun speaker and a blast to screw around with. Just at that price there are Many modern day(new/used) options that will embarrass the hell out of them.

$400 yep.

Either way GL!

 

[tiga]

Walsh 4 owner here. Picked mine up from the original owner about 2 years ago (I think I paid $325). He said he had sent the drivers back to Ohm for "service" but I'm not sure what was all done on them. I read a lot of mixed views on these speakers. Most seem to comment negatively on the internal construction - which I've always wondered if that leads to the mixed reviews of their sound. For me, I'm extremely pleased with them. Even in their current non-optimal placement and driven with a middling AVR they have a more natural and coherent sound than other speakers in my home. They're in a large open floorplan and they just fill the space. At some point I'd like to recap them or even look at upgrades but at this time I'm satisfied. If you can get the price a lot lower I'd say go for it.

 

[Ohighway]

Price sounds high to me.

As mentioned they are not a true "Walsh" design like the A or F. However they are a clever use of conventional woofer and tweeter, and they do sound great.

Many are fooled/intimidated by the components being hidden in a can, but honestly they are user serviceable by anyone with a little technical skill ( same abilities needed to service regular speakers)

They are an extremely good choice for home theatre, or anywhere you need a WIDE sweet spot.

 

[captouch]

How did you like their sound?

I figured the price was a bit steep, I think I'll offer lower and keep looking, thanks for your help.

I liked them fine, but they didn't beat my main speakers (Aerial Acoustics Model 7B) and I didn't have room to keep them.

But they hit the sweet spot of another friend of mine who acquired his pair independently of ours. He ran his with a MC 2120 at first, but moved to a MC 225 and thought they were exactly what he was looking for sound-wise. So it all depends on tastes and also probably what kind of room you have and what music you like.

 

[Chrisxo55441]

i bought mine 5 1/2 years ago for $610 walnut was excellent and so were the grills. they were original and needed re-foaming which i sent to ohm to be done, it was about $300 with shipping as they are big. i love mine but only use them with my monster receivers when im rocking out. i have used them with my model 9's which drive them fine but prefer my Tannoy Berkeleys over them for most things. they have enough bass that i dont feel the need for a sub and they can get my teeth chattering when ive got some AC DC playing. for that price cabs and grills should be in very good to excellent condition. probably on the high end price wise but they dont come up for sale often from what ive seen.

 

[UncleAng]

Most seem to comment negatively on the internal construction - which I've always wondered if that leads to the mixed reviews of their sound

In various posts I've critiqued 'the internal construction' of these speakers which I've owned since 1986. It's not so much the nuts n' bolts of the cabinet which back them were well made and and well braced but rather the internal cotton damping material which tends to disintegrate over time (10-15 years). This batting is critical to the sound; as it disintegrates the speakers start sounding boomy in the bass and the mid-range is not coherent. This same batting which Ohm calls 'Tufflex' is also used as a dampener behind the speaker cone. So I'm guessing it starts to fall apart back there also. However, when you send in your cans to be re-foamed they do replace the 'Tufflex' in the speakers. Mine were re-foamed 22 years ago so they're do. I replaced the 'Tufflex' that fell apart inside the cabinets 20 years ago and at that time experimented with batting of different densities and thicknesses. Believe me it does make a difference to the sound. What I liked best ended up being approximately 1" thick dense cotton batting layered 1/3 of the way down from the top of the cabinet. PS: make sure the batting is snug in the cabinet corners

 

[nolasally]

Too high and way better speakers out there for 1000.00

 

[UncleAng]

I found a local fellow selling a pair of Ohm Walsh 4s, lowest he's willing to go is $1350 Canadian

The last few ones sold in Canada and in decent shape went for around $750 CDN.

 

[Miller]

I watch for them all the time on eBay and they go for ~$1000-1500. If they weren’t worth it people wouldn’t be paying that much.

I have a pair and I love them. There are things that they bring to the table that no other speakers do. I think they sound phenomenal regardless of what some “experts” on forums think of the individual components. It’s the system level design of these that makes them great. Plus US made and US serviced.

 

[TomInKY]

I realize this thread has been quiet for a cpl. years, but I just acquired a nice pair of 4x0's today, from a fellow vintage audio fan who was selling-off some stuff. Black finish was grimy, but cleaned-up nicely and I was able to carefully touch-up some scraped edges. Can grills (plastic, vs. the steel rods in my Model 2's) solid and the cloths have a few slightly ragged edges, but nothing you'd see from 8 feet. Did a quick sound check before I hauled them off, no apparent issues, but I'll give them a workout soon. So, upon unloading I, like I've done with the 2's, I tilted each speaker on it's back, and held each with one hand cradling the bottom of the can and the other grabbing the base, then setting each one upright. These have casters, which was nice. However, one the second one I unloaded, one edge of the can on one of the two came slightly out of socket, but not enough that it made me drop it or it come completely out of the socket. I carefully just pushed it back in once it was upright.

Question is, is there a gasket or some sort of bead of butyl or caulking that normally keeps these cans intact? Any suggestions whether I need to do anything about it, or just remember never to let the weight of the can lay in my hand and the base in my other hand again? Thanks in advance. I come to Karma for help and to help others with out the bs you get at that "other" site, so I really appreciate any advice here, not only on the loose can, but other things I may need to check or listen for.

Tom in KY

 

[onwardjames]

I realize this thread has been quiet for a cpl. years, but I just acquired a nice pair of 4x0's today, from a fellow vintage audio fan who was selling-off some stuff. Black finish was grimy, but cleaned-up nicely and I was able to carefully touch-up some scraped edges. Can grills (plastic, vs. the steel rods in my Model 2's) solid and the cloths have a few slightly ragged edges, but nothing you'd see from 8 feet. Did a quick sound check before I hauled them off, no apparent issues, but I'll give them a workout soon. So, upon unloading I, like I've done with the 2's, I tilted each speaker on it's back, and held each with one hand cradling the bottom of the can and the other grabbing the base, then setting each one upright. These have casters, which was nice. However, one the second one I unloaded, one edge of the can on one of the two came slightly out of socket, but not enough that it made me drop it or it come completely out of the socket. I carefully just pushed it back in once it was upright.

Question is, is there a gasket or some sort of bead of butyl or caulking that normally keeps these cans intact? Any suggestions whether I need to do anything about it, or just remember never to let the weight of the can lay in my hand and the base in my other hand again? Thanks in advance. I come to Karma for help and to help others with out the bs you get at that "other" site, so I really appreciate any advice here, not only on the loose can, but other things I may need to check or listen for.

Tom in KY

Welcome, fellow Kentuckian!

I use rope caulk for resealing, but not sure if that's what you were asking.