Modern Shahinian Obelisk

The newer Walsh thousand series definately steps up the game with regards to the tweeter, it is a much better one, and not as "dull" as the older models, and I was able to do quite a bit of comparison when I had my 3000's and the older 3XO cans. The differences are not huge by any stretch, and when I say dull, they just aren't as detailed as the newer drivers, and that is detail not at the expense of brightness in my opinion. I find it hard to explain really.

As regards to the Shahinian's having a more direct tweeter exposure, I am not sure as there are a couple main things at play here. If you have never physically seen an Obelisk, one needs to realize it is not a very big/tall speaker. The very tip of the pyramid is at 30", and the super tweeters are around 3-4" lower on the slanted baffle as well as the mid-dome. The tweeters are firing at a more upward angle than the Ohm Walsh CLS tweeters, and the Ohms tweeters are considerably higher up in the cabinets as well with maybe the exception being the OW2, then it is close, but still think the Walsh is higher.

Sometimes I just laugh when I look at my Obelisk and think about the dynamic swings this rather small box is capable of. Quite impressive. I just enjoy these transducers so very much. With that being said, the Ohm Walsh and what John Strohbeen has done with them over the years is also quite enjoyable too, and if push came to shove, I could live happily with the Ohms. But after having my Obelisk 2's, I really wouldn't want to go without them.

I won't mention either what an outstanding bargain my other semi-omni Larsen Model 4's are. Just another fantastic little speaker that in many ways is as good as the Ohm models and also the Obelisk, and at a much cheaper price. The Model 8 which is the biggest brother to the 4's was reviewed very favorably in Positive Feedback. While I have not heard the Model 8, I would say his review is just as applicable to the Model 4 in many ways.

Okay, enough of my thoughts for now. Tim

i had obelisks many years. now my son has them and i have diapasons - factory updated 2013. i only listen to classical music which is shahinian's strong suit. after 60 years in the game these are the grail found. currently i am experimenting with free standing super tweeters. they add a new dimension which no one seems able to explain but just take them away and the music is less than with them. over the years i have had a number of wonderful systems, but nothing like the current one. while i lament exiting from the eternal quest to better the product i rejoice in the level attained and plan to make no further major adjustments except tweaks. my stereo buddies don't get the above, preferring to be blasted by forward firing speakers with sweet spots. that's not for me. the so-called best system anywhere is probably the MBL, a 360 degree concet just like shahinian. enough said. jack (idllwld)

Jack, it is always nice to hear about others that have finally found their stopping off point with regards to the speaker merry-go-round. It seems that a lot of fellow Shahinian owners feel very much the same way here, no other will quite do.

I would love to hear Diapasons, that would indeed be a treat I am sure, as Hawks were another step up from the Obelisk in a couple ways, and I would love to make that step someday. My Obelisks are doing the business for my room/space though, quite happy with them.

I am curious, what size listening space do you have your Diapasons in? Would love to hear more about your system too. As far as the super tweeters go as an add-on, I too have heard them to be a good thing. One wouldn't think they would add much to the already multiple tweets in the Diapasons, but just goes to show you, until you try something, you never know!

My system too is more or less down to the tweaking stages, unless somehow I come across a sum of money, then I will be upgrading the electronics to either some Plinius separates or Dynavector amplification. For the moment, very pleased with the older Plinius 8200 integrated and my Naim streamer as source. All good for now! Enjoy your Shahinian's Jack! Lovely speakers I am sure. Tim

Is there a trend here? I, too, after 50 years of restless dissatisfaction and relentless replacement, have discovered Shahinian speakers. In my case, a 30 year old pair of Obelisks provided me with something I had been missing for all those long decades: the full rich power of an orchestra. There is a fullness and roundness to the sound of Shahinian's designs which captures the upper bass presence of real orchestral instrument like nothing I'd ever heard. And the sound of massed violins? Unmatched in my experience for solidity and sheen. (If you listen to orchestral music, as I do, you really should try to hear Shahinian poly-directional speakers (Obelisks, Hawks, and Diapasons).
As luck would have it, I was able to acquire a pair of Hawks and have stopped searching. (Just for your information, the system I had at the time of the Obelisks' appearance used Alon Circes ($12,0000) with a Nola subwoofer ($1800) and a Nola designed and built special x-over. The Obs I had cost, when new, $1800 and were 30+ years old, yet at the first moment, I knew I had found home.
If anyone cares to read my fuller description of my perception of the sound of Shahinians, you can refer to several of my older postings.
In addition, I live in Marin County and would be happy to entertain anyone who would care to come by to hear what I'm talking about.

I'd encourage anyone who has been at high end audio for years and still never achieved their goals to try something different: wide dispersion or omni speakers, take your pick.

FOr me, directional designs are enjoyable but are harder to set up to enable being immersed in the sound. Omni's or other designs that deliver a broader dispersion pattern are better able to make me suspend my disbelief that what I am hearing might be real.

One of many reasons I like the OHMs and that they have been successful for so many years is that they are inherently omnidirectional but also designed to enable closer placement to walls than a pure omni design, which makes for a better fit into more people's rooms.