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
Bondman,

Another demo I heard that was up there was many years ago with Magnepans set up 1/3rd of teh way or so into teh room at Jim Smith’s old Audition shop in Birmingham Alabama.  I and the friend I was with both bought a pair on the spot!

Thing is Magnepans put out as much sound to the rear as front like mbl and other fully omni-directional designs. OHMs are not fully omnidirectional nor do they put out as much sound to the rear or sides as the front. I’ve experimented with mine pulled out farther out from the rear wall and not achieved the same kind of results. Of course the details of the room acoustics matter greatly. You have to get just the right setup to maximize imaging depth with any speaker. I’m willing to bet your attic was pretty lively acoustically? I’ve read where John Strohbeen talks about having relatively "lively" space behind one’s listening position versus in front and how that can affect the listening experience.
@mapman - actually, the attic was pretty dead.  Drywall cieling, but wall-to-wall carpet, and lots of bookshelves packed with books, papers and other bric-a-brac.  Although there was a window at each end of the attic, one behind me and one in front of me.  I would like to have that kind of depth, but I am realistic about what is possible with my modest gear and difficult room.
Our room is pretty close to what John describes as proper for the Walsh designs. It's live on the speaker end and dead behind my listening position. 

Last night, I had some down time and fired up disc 2 of Roger Water's In The Flesh CD. Once again, the soundstage was wide and deep. Those who are familiar with the disc will recognize the track where "HAL" from "2001: a Space Odyssey" is asking Dave to stop. I have heard this disc 100's of times. This time, HAL was floating above, and sometimes, above and behind me. 

In addition, the entire performance locks down the drums well behind the front wall of singers and guitars. When Susannah cuts loose, one can follow her as she walks along the stage, and she is delivered with authority and not a hint of harshness. The Infinity IRS Sigmas added a harshness to her voice that was disconcerting, as did the Legacies. 

Bass was not subwoofer deep, but was tuneful and solid to mid 20's. As I am used to the Axiom's flat to 13 Hz response, my expectations for subwoofer level bass are REALLY deep.

Another win for the SSC-4900's.
Mapman, this thread is a lot of fun. Seeing other Ohm speaker owners posting is an unexpected and pleasant surprise!