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

Showing 9 responses by roysq

Looking forward to your reviews, particularly comparisons vs your other speakers as you have a boatload.

How is the bass response?  Do they have 10inch or 12 inch downfiring drivers?

Any idea what kind of woofer/tweeter are used?  was the woofer "exposed" at the bottom of the can? (take any pictures).  
Yeah, figured it was a 12 inch. Should be tons of bass in that big tube. As for that link... I think it’s a bit misleading. I suspect they are using an off the shelf, or slightly modified full range driver. Doesn’t bug me, just curious as to who makes it. I figure it’s paper based, which doesn’t bother me either. Just always interested to figure out what the driver might be and get an idea of the quality etc.  Also curious at to the tweeter.

I realize they build (like everyone) to a price point and margin, but I'm always curious what could be done in a more cost no object type build.  Could/Would they sound even better?

I know it’s the sound that matters, and what I’ve heard of older stuff, they sound great for the price point. But with the more expensive stuff, just wondering what the quality of the parts, crossovers etc are for the money and vs the competition. It’s remarkable how little info is really out there on their newer stuff.
Not looking to argue at all myself. Looking at old pictures of Ohms, it simply had me wondering. What I have heard from their speakers I like them. As far as an off the shelf driver, Ohm (like most companies) don’t make their own drivers from what I know... so it’s a question I always ask/research when I look at new speakers. Most companies it’s "easily" discovered, with the Ohm, I’ve had a little less luck. My hope had simply been you took some pictures.

I’m all about the sound also. Really, simply wondering as I have considered buying some myself. Just so little out there on what woofer, tweeter, and crossover parts are used these days. I’ll admit, that is a little important to me. Sound is 85% of the equation, I suppose pride of ownership (and knowing that quality parts were used, and that the price was "worth it") is part of it for me.

NOT disparaging the speakers at all, I have really liked what I have heard.

I’m also not a huge Golden Ear fan either. We are on the same page here, it just seemed you were really into an in depth review, so I had hoped you might know the answers. Not a big issue either way. Won’t stop me from potentially buying a pair, I’m just a research nerd before buying.
I believe they use SonoTubes - or concrete forming tubes.  Same thing SVS uses in their tube subwoofers.  

Honestly, they seem to work really well in the subwoofer format, and the weight savings are really nice.  I've wondered if it is actually a more optimal shape for a speaker to reduce reflections and standing waves in the cabinet.  

I do wonder how the veneer looks on it from a finish standpoint, how the seam looks etc.  

I will say OHM does a pretty good job keeping things under wraps as far as what is inside.  I've liked what I have heard, but even with that big can on top, it really defies speaker convention of not obstructing the tweeter.  

My guess is John specs the tweeter based on pure measurements, and doesn't really look at the price, other than to find a good performer at a low price.

@craigsub - any new updates or thoughts?  Would love a reference on the picture as to size vs other speakers.

Are they neutral, bright, laid back?  How is the bass?  Super tight, or a nice neutral amount.  Seems as though they should kick it out bass wise. Looks like a 10 or even 12 inch driver?


I'm enjoying this thread.  Thanks.  @craigsub, it would be tremendous to get some thoughts vs your many other speakers, you have many and many that folks have heard.  Would love strengths vs weaknesses etc.

good stuff
@jstrohbeen I read your post with great interest.  I too believe in the law of diminishing returns in just about everything, including audio.  That said, always interested in those that push the envelope. If you were to do (and maybe you have) a "cost no object" design.  What would the increased cost look like to get a significant performance upgrade?  There are only so many parts in a speaker and it sounds like a capacitor is a capacitor for the most part... so would it be the driver or tweeter?  Or some super high-tech cylinder as a cabinet?

Just curious.  Thanks for being on the board.
@craigsub 

Would love an update on the 4900's  Really your whole set-up.  Pros/Cons vs your other speakers as you have a ton it seems?   The PSaudio amps, how are they now that you have had them for a while.  Always a bit scared of class D?

Even pictures.  Considering some Walsh Talls, or the 4900's as you have.  So, an update with some of the above thoughts if you don't mind.