Magnepan vs Ohm/Walsh ?

Plato,

I can't comment intelligently on this because I've only spent the briefest time with some Maggies in a local dealer showroom. But for lots of information on the Ohm sound itself, have a look at the thread called, "Ohm Micro Walsh Talls: Who's Actually Heard 'Em?"

I have had both. I sent the Ohms back to where they came from. The Ohms didn't hold a candle to the Maggies for my taste. Besides, I tried other omni's like Decware's version of the application and they too were better than the Ohms.

Back in the late 1970s I owned a pair of Ohm Fs and absolutely loved them. I regretted selling them almost immediately.

Fast forward to 2002 or so and I was in the speaker market again. Ohms were first on my list to try so I ordered the 200s under their home trial program. I ran them about a month and then borrowed a pair of Magnepan 1.6QRs from a local dealer for a side-by-side weekend trial.

It became a very easy decision at that point; the Maggies won easily. They floated a very transparent, almost surreal image and the mid-bass, for cellos, drums and the like was outstanding - very palpable. In contrast, the Ohms were more veiled. I will give the deep bass to the Ohms but I valued the Maggies' advantages more.

I know other people would make the opposite choice based on what is important to them.

Unfortunately I moved 3 years ago and the listening room at the new house was simply unsuitable for a dipole speaker that needed to be well out from the wall. The Maggies were sold and I am now quite happy with a pair of classic Spendor SP1/2Es.