So, anybody ever get physical with an Ohm Walsh?

[Valveglow]

Only listened to Ohms factory stock, as I used to sell them. I recall the astounding inefficiency of the model F, but as a group overall, I liked the way they sounded and was intrigued by the design.

 

[frommerstop]

I've listened to Walsh 4s with & without the cans. I was surprised how little the cans attenuate the tweeters, but they did sound a little too hot without them. The biggest affect was the imaging degraded and they became noticeably harder to place in the room - one of the biggest issues with the As & Fs was, like most omnis, they sounded very "open" but it was really hard to get the soundstage to sound right. The cans introduced on the Twos help limit directivity, making them less room sensitive

...of coarse it also helps hide the ugly guts, but that's not Ohm's official line on the subject.

 

[jgscisum]

My experience is that I do prefer them without the cans. I find the cans tend to reduce the air and soundstage. I doubt I will ever replace the cans. As for true purpose of the cans....... my opinion....... is that they are there to keep you from performing any kind of service if needed and to hide their design and components. Try calling for parts. They told me, "we will not sale cans unless you send in the complete removed units for their inspection." Unnecessary expense as far as I am concerned. I wanted new ones to replace the removed ones that were buggered up by the previous owner. Mine, according to the prior owner, had been serviced at Ohm and he also preferred the sound without cans. I have no reason not to believe him. His system consisted of all very expensive Mcintosh equipment and had a room built solely for his system. My 2 cents for what it's worth.

 

[ericj]

I am pretty sure that Wualta has had the cans off his Walsh 3's for years, being as the Heil tweeters he is using on them don't fit under the cans.

I am pondering a similar configuration. Walt calls it a While.