Pick 2... Ohm WMT,ML Source,Zu Druid,Gallo Ref 3.1


I've got my short list down to four speakers, and I need help narrowing these down to two. My plan is to buy the two of them used and sell the set I do not like. I may get one or both of the others down the road, but I only want to start with two.

I've got a Dussun v6i 150w amp with a NOS DAC fed by FLAC files on my Mac Mini in an 11x11 room. Yes an 11x11 room. That's going to be part of the problem. I listen to all sorts of music, but not too much really hard rock or rap.

I'm coming from a pair of Totem Arros and Silverline Minuets before those. I liked the Arros. I found them to be a little too 'boxy' for me, and they never really disappeared. I always had to be in just the right spot to get the big soundstage and even then I could hear the 'box'. Pretty good detail, but they got a little bright when I was in the sweet spot. overall a very good speaker, but they just didn't do it for me.

So this led me to my current quest. The reason I have narrowed my search down to these four speakers is as follows. Not every speaker in the four fill every item I find important.

1) My Small Room - don't want to do monitors, and I'm limited in space and placement.
2) The Box Sound - I hate it. I have craved a room filling, airy sound ever since I heard my first set of Martin Logan Monoliths 20 years ago.
3) Crossovers - the lack of them getting in the way of the music in these speakers.
4) Time-coherence - I still dream of my Dunlavy SC-1s from many years ago.
5) Price - they are all below $2000 used; which is the upper extreme of my budget.

I know the speakers are all unique. The Zu is probably my last choice, but the dynamics, lack of a rear port and wide cabinet may help in my small room (I don't know).

The Martin Logan's concern me with the super narrow listen area and the high crossover frequency.

The Gallos concern me that it might overwhelm the room with bass, and I don't really have room for sound treatment beyond a quilt on the front wall. Everything else about these sound amazing (lack of box, lack of crossover above 150, ESL like tweeter, psudo-omini tweeter and presentation).

The Ohm Concerns me that it will lack detail and have a sloppy presentation. I have heard such great things on the board about these though I'm very interested.

Any help I can get considering my room situation would be great.

Thanks
mailman199
Ohm MWT. I also hate the boxy sound, but my favorite thing about the Ohms is the crossover-less midrange.
The OHMs and Gallos are the two that will probably sound most similar. IMHO, the OHMs are superior. They are more like Quad Electrostats but with more dynamics and bass. The Gallos have the dynamics and bass but do not compare to Quads (I've heard both together in A/B comparison and the Gallos sounded very fine...until I heard the Quads then no comparison). If you are considering ML also, then between Gallo and OHm I think I would definitely go OHM, Should cost less as well for your room I believe even.

I am not a ML (specifically electrostatic/dynamic hybrid designs) fan but that is just a matter of taste.

Haven't heard the Zus but the design appears more like the Totems you indicate you liked.

So if it were me, either OHM and ML for the most contrast between the two or OHM and Zu for two that may sound somewhat more like each other.

I have larger OHM 100s in a 12X12 room and they are a perfect fit. Smaller MWTs in a slightly smaller room should be a good fit also. OHM 100s new go for about $1800 I believe and would still fit your budget. Mine are used 100 series 3s (in OHM Walsh 2 cabinets) that I picked up for only $600 here on A'gon about 2 years ago!
For a room that small I'd reccomend the OHM's. When I was auditioning speakers a few years ago I listened to among others the Gallo's. Ended up with the OHM 100 M3. No comparison, the OHM's beat the Gallo's in every category. Using 150w & the Gallo's in your room will be overkill IMO. Stick w/the OHM's.

YMMV
So I've eliminated the Zu for now. I'm not using low power tubes and it probably does not have enough of the sound I'm looking for. I picked up a pair of Ohm MWTs. They should be here in a week or so. I just need to decide between the Gallos and the Martin Logans. I think the Logan would probably be better in the small room I have to work with, and I've always wanted to own a pair.
I'd be very surprised if the Gallo's could beat the OHMs.

Maybe on bass impact with the right amp but not in overall balance, refinement and overall listenability.

The MLs might have a chance in that they have such a totally different but also smooth presentation that many take well to.

Let the battle begin!