"this is the product Ohm puts out"

Harley, which OHM model specifically? Are they brand new from OHM in Brooklyn?

OHM Walsh speakers have been around since ~ 1980 or so and veneers can vary quite a bit. Currently some OHMs are sold new and some are sold for discount with refurbed older cabinets. I have two pair of refurbs, one I bought used on Agon and one bought straight from OHM a couple years back. Cabinetry on refurbs are not always perfect I have seen, but I would expect that not to be the case with all new models. I would expect that any imperfections with refurbed cabinets would be disclosed up front, but you might have to ask to get details, photos etc. to approve before buying.

In the 1980s, some very cheap synthetic veneers were used in the sound cylinder series as a lower cost alternative as well.

If you have an issue with any OHMs bought straight from OHM in Brooklyn, I would recommend letting John Strohbeen know and see what happens.

My two pair can be seen in my system photo montage.

The F5s I bought straight from OHM use refurbed OHM F cabinets from years ago. They arrived and remain in essentially perfect condition, no flaws/defects.

The smaller 100 series 3 speakers I bought used on Agon for $600 a few years back use refurbed OHM Walsh 2 cabinets from teh 1980s. The finish is quite good but there are a few imperfections that can be seen. One is where some wood filler was applied to the original cabinet in one bottom corner that must have been chipped originally prior to refurb. Also one of the 4 OHM labels on one speaker is slightly out of level. Overall though, they are in good shape and were a steal for $600 used.

Harley, sounds like they are new. Definitely call OHM and talk to John Strohbeen. He has a great reputation for customer satisfaction.

One can check out the 40+ year OHM company history Here. It explains what happened to their third party dealer system in the 90s and why they went to direct sales earlier than most.

"Distribution disaster strikes. Tandy cannot profitably compete with Best Buy and Circuit City and closes the TNB division. Ohm is close to the classic position of “having all our eggs in one basket”.

Factory Direct Sales lowers prices and eliminates showrooms. With over 120,000 Ohm speaker owners in America acting as our showrooms, Ohm switches to a Factory Direct sales mode.

· Prices are slashed as the dealer margin is eliminated.

· A 120-Day Home Trial program is instituted to assure everyone is a happy Ohm owner.
"

Why did they desert them?

I used to sell them as well part time at Tech Hifi in NJ circa 1978. The one I worked in sold refurbs of all brands of equipment THF carried, including OHM.

I talked to one still thriving local Baltimore area dealer who used to carry them back in the 80's. HE spoke highly of them and regretted the move to direct only.

I bought my first "good" speakers there in 1978 (OHM Ls). I was surprised to see OHM Walsh speakers in a hifi store in PEnnsylvania in ~ 1982 or so, when I bought my next speakers there, OHM Walsh 2s. After that, I dabbled with other brands for many years, including Magnepan, KEF, and B&W among others. THings headed south for me soundwise in the late 90's. WHen I looked to get back on track about 5 years ago, I ended back to whre I started with newer OHMs. I was out of the "OHM loop" for many years though I retained my Walsh 2s which continued to perform as well over all those years. I was pleasantly surprised to see OHM was still around when I rediscovered the comapny and line about 5 years ago or so.

"That Said, I would myself take a chance on them IF they were priced better.I don't buy speakers on looks but for 3-4 K I still think they look shabby."

Well, they are what they are and like most everything else in home audio, the looks will not appeal to everyone.

Take a look at the german OHM distributors web site. Pretty stylish! Have you ever seen the pics of John Strohbeen and the OHM Brookly facility? I recall some in a six moons review somewhere. Pretty shabby and blue collar! Not your typical high end audio type imagery. I suppose it helps keep overhead down being located in NYC. Its a different kind of appeal, based almost purely on the sound. As was pointed out above, that seems to be the focus along with customer service and satisfaction. John S. does do a lot of customizations. I would be willing to bet JS would do up a custom pair of Walshes to meet almost anyones appearance specs if possible. Of course, the cost might go up further as well for a really fine absolute top notch type finish. OR maybe it could be done as a refurb to get teh cost down. Those options usually seem to always exist with JS. Part of the customer service thing. You don't stay in the audio business for all those years without taking care of your customers along the way. OHM depends on customers to promote and build the business, not traditional advertising, so customer service and satisfaction is even more paramount than ever.

"All I can say is what you see as keeping overhead down, I see as squeezing every last penny possible off the patent."

Maybe. But companies do not stay in business if they do not make a profit. I respect companies that deliver good products yet keep overhead down as much as possible. I am a blue collar kind of guy at heart.

OHM prices have gone up in recent years. The current line is supposedly refined in accordance to help justify that. I have not heard the current X000 line yet, including the latest microwalshes, so I cannot say how the value proposition has changed in fact. I believe they are probably improved or refined to some degree but the difference is described as evolutionary not revolutionary. Dunno. Trying the speakers out and taking advantage of the 120 day in home audition period is the way to find out.

Its a tough business these days. Not sure I would want to be in it.

Schubert, I appreciate that. We all have our own learning experiences that we base our decisions on. Its all good.

With the money many invest in this stuff these days, and with the level of competition out there, customer service IS the big difference maker IMHO. JS gets that and always seems willing to do what it takes to make things right. That and a good, unique product is probably why he has been able to remain in business for so many years.