Ohm Speakers, thoughts?

Regarding Bill's Ohm A, it is indeed a very interesting and unique type of sound. Along with the very special "you are there" characteristics, it is a frustrating design with the most complex theory behind it I have ever seen. At first listen you are aware that something special is indeed happening to the sound...a more 360 boundary-less type of envelope, yet as wonderful as this quality is, on say a female vocal and guitar, it tends to not handle the complex music quite as well, or with as much reality. Bill's IRS is the much more univeral product. While it may lack the Walsh's seduction (I know its very alluring), I can bet the house that its dead accurate. If a new recording is purchased and one wants to really know how it sounds, the IRS is the one. Now I am sure countless mods have been performed since I last heard them a year ago,and judging from the above praise, a breakthrough must have occured. Interestingly, the speaker was spectacular when auditioned outdoors with no room interaction at all. Bill can attest to this. Bill is, of course, a very gifted and visionary engineer with the most unerringly correct (almost scary) intuition regarding audio on the planet. There is no question the Walsh driver in his hands may someday surpass his IRS, but, I am sure he will tell you he sleeps better at night knowing his IRS is there as an absolute reference...........Frank

Funny you mention "hi fi resolution", the greatest example of this being the ESS AMT HEIL 13 pound driver. To this day, it is beyond reproach from a hi fi standpoint. It does some things better than anything I have heard.It is hard to give up its special qualities once you hear them. Some music will never sound better than with this driver....yet some music sounds completely hi fi and wrong.
Isn't it ironic, Sean, that Heil and Walsh designs were of the most important variety, only to be executed without proper R&D to eliminate their errors.
The case for several systems is a good one, space permitting.
Here is a question for you Sean: Suppose the OHM A were reintroduced today with all of Millersound's R&D as a specially licenced product, and then marketed for a reasonable sum of money. Not 30K or the nonsensical current price schemes, but lets say $6500.00. Assuming respected ears on this site (like Trelja's above) were typical of the majority, could this technology/design be saved/ressurected? Vinh Vu are you listening

The Ohm A in its current state of Millersound mods may in fact surpass everything available, based on it's inherent design executed properly. That said, the Magneplaner wave launch is still bigger on piano music and the reason for its typical audiophile aproval. Dynamics on the Ohm A destroy the Maggie though, and the spooky 360 effect is just not there on the MG series in any model....Pick your preference.
I find the look of the Ohm A/F to be quite acceptable and even attractive compared to the boring "coffin" and mostly uninteresting designs being offered today. The Vadersteen 5 is somewhat similar in appearence and seems to do very well. The 70s offered the most innovation of any era in Audio and is unlikely to be repeated.
Regarding audiophile cattle, you know the outcome before it happens.........unless the price is real world. This is the number one factor. Seasoned music lovers will hear the reality of things, they will see the hobby reignited with enthusiasum because they will never have experienced this form of 3D. We are not talking ribbon driver clarity or transparency here, but genuine 3D..the likes of which no speaker in recent or past memory has achieved. I think with the right group of people,(like the Legall crew),this most important and exciting of designs can become a new reality.
My ears have been conditioned through the years with Quad, Infinity, IMF, LS3/5A, Apogee and many other audiophile approved items and I am quite sure of the value of this product.
"Ground breaking designs" seem to have ended in favor of the money and business realities of our current generation. This sort of dedication was part of a more serious and simple social climate where music, not money was the driving force. Is it any wonder that no current audio offerings remotely touch on these breakthrough items.
It does not have to be this way. Current (ad nauseum)loudspeakers with the same over and over drivers and /sound are everywhere....gauranteed to bore you...as much as "classic rock" FM radio.