[hibuckhobby]

I've followed this board for several years and am somewhat baffled by the number of nay-sayers where the apparently angry people have come from?
Louis decides to not provide support to the DIY community...a decision he has every right to make.  My goodness!  You'd think he just endorsed
necrophilia.  Statements such as "you won't get any more of my business" start flying...as though the occasional driver purchase is going to
cause his business to sink or swim.

Louis comes out with a new (read different) design.  Here it comes again.  "That's not new...that's been around for years".  (It was new to the
Omega line)   "That would work better if you executed it differently"  (from people who aren't selling speakers of any kind)  "Who told you we were
interested in open baffle speakers"? (As if one person speaks for all)

It's time to get a life people.  Audio is a hobby...it is not life.  There are so many things today that are more important than what one person
thinks of a business model or of a speaker design.  This is a business.  Of course placing the port in back was a design consideration and to
claim it enhances room coupling is far less hyperbolic than most of the advertising that exists in audio today.  But I digress.  Just making an
observation of how we feel so free to be critical when we are in front of a keyboard.   Isn't this supposed to be fun?  Or do some of us find
pleasure in an argument?

my .02
Hibuck....

[Good Times]

Nicely said Hibuck, I agree wholeheartedly.

We should be grateful that we get the chance to interact with the manufacturer directly on a forum to begin with. You can't say that about many...

[Rubbbq]

I agree.... People take this way to serious.... and then cast stones

[RDavidson]

I don't even own Omegas or Hoyts or Outlaws or any of Louis' creations, but I too have seen the same issues Hibuck points out. It's insane.

I'm sure, at one time, that B&W started very small and over time grew. Do you think you can call B&W and expect them to share all their knowledge, let alone, sell raw drivers to the DIY crowd? Not going to happen.

But the DIY crowd feels betrayed because Louis used to be so generous. I believe Louis used DIY as a way to explore, research, develop and innovate over the years. This provides a path, for one who isn't super wealthy, to do this kind of work. Keep in mind that Omega started before crowd funding really existed. What Louis did was smart and resourceful. He obviously feels he's at a point where he is now a master of his work, and needs to protect it so that he can continue to grow and expand his business.

Regarding the new 1.5 way designs : Are they as much of a "purist" design as his main line of single driver speakers? Probably not. Here's the thing, Louis' speakers are a niche product. I see the 1.5 way designs as a niche product that could bridge the performance characteristics gap between single driver, crossover-less speakers, and more common multi-driver, cross-overed speakers. There are some possible advantages these 1.5 way designs have over large single driver speakers. The smaller moving mass of the dual drivers to produce bass likely provides a cleaner midrange (vs a large single driver), while getting similar extension in a relatively compact package. Versus more common speakers, these 1.5's have a much more minimal crossover, which I don't think I need to explain the advantages of. Are these speakers for everyone? No, but neither is his main line of speakers. I say this because I'm willing to bet that the majority of people in this hobby are generally into big, multi-driver speakers with crossovers and big amps (at least 100 wpc). With that said, I think Louis may be the only guy really making great strides to produce innovative, AFFORDABLE, finished, single driver (and 1.5 way designs) that I know of. He's in a bit of a unique position which he has worked hard to attain and now maintain.

[Devil Doc]

If you think some folks are mean spirited here, you need to get out more. You should frequent some of the political forums and even cigar forums that I do, if you want to see people run amok. I belong to a couple of member moderated boards; there's where you'll see mean, intolerant and down right nasty. This place is a breath of fresh air. Nothing but a bunch of old flower children.

Doc

[RDavidson]

If you think some folks are mean spirited here, you need to get out more. You should frequent some of the political forums and even cigar forums that I do, if you want to see people run amok. I belong to a couple of member moderated boards; there's where you'll see mean, intolerant and down right nasty. This place is a breath of fresh air. Nothing but a bunch of old flower children.

Doc

Doc, I guess you're just a forum bada$$.

[Jazzaudio]

I'm Super 3S owner, talked to Louis a number of times ( had my 3S made with Cardas posts!), thoroughly enjoy my speakers, and rarely post here (which may be correlated to my speaker enjoyment!)  Having said that, I've also noted a shift in tone overtime.  Over the past 13 yeas I've owned a Decware Select amp, Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid preamp and SEOTL amp, and Hornshoppe speakers.   And you know what:  Transcendent Sound, the OTL specialist did make a transformer-coupled amplifier, Decware, the SEP specialist using an odd tube does produce a push-pull amplifier using ubiquitous tubes, and Ed at the Hornshoppe, a single-driver specialist does offer a 2-driver with outboard crossover version of his speaker.  I think Bruce at TS stopped making the coupled amp due to relative cost, but Decware and Hornshoppe still offer their product to those that like that flavor...without backtracking from the products that put them on map. In all three cases the creators essentially said (paraphrasing) "You know, I always thought about, or had previously tinkered with XYZ, went into the shop, and shazam!"  I cant claim to have read every post on those forums, but those variations were well received because of the company's track record with their bread and butter product(s).  I see it as a win-win! It's like college football:  It's easy to scoff at smash up running Alabama adding a 5-Star receiver to it's team, or scoff at quick passing and finesse Oregon adding a 5 Star smash up-style running back to its roster.....as long as you don't have to play them!!

[Louis O]

Hi All,

First and foremost I wish to thank everyone for the great support and kind words. I appreciate it greatly.

I have been building single driver speakers for the past 13 years as Omega and I haven't strayed away from single drivers or the thought of making traditional speakers. I'm dedicated to it and take pride in my product as well as hand building every speaker. A while back I took the plunge and started my OEM drivers. I'm very happy I did. It's worth the time and effort as well as cost.

The thought never crossed my mind about transitioning from what I currently make to the new offerings. I will always make the best speakers I can and at the best prices I can.

More than a few years ago I had developed my 1.5 way and recently I had the chance to revisit it. I'm very happy I did and with the new drivers I have now the sound is better than ever. My mind started racing as it normally does during the build and realized it would be perfect for an OB. So I ran to saw and started that build. Soon I will try my larger drivers in this configuration.

The OutLaw is in it's early stages and I started with 1.5 ways. I do have a great 12" pro style fast woofer and this will find it's way in too.

If it's Single driver or Single Driver Based, I'm building it.

Thanks again,
Louis

[nature boy]

Louis,

I am a very satisfied owner of an early version of your 8" alnico hemp speakers.  Coupled with my modest SET amp they make some beautiful music.  I told my wife yesterday to bury me with my Omega's, hopefully not for several more years.

NB

[JLM]

Audio has a very important part of my life for over 40 years.  So please don't tell me to get a life.

I've been a fan of Louis since he started Omega and have 292 previous posts to show for it.  But over that time many promised products never went into production or came and went almost overnight including various subwoofers, the Sticks, the DIY extended range drivers, and the 5 inch AlNiCo driver.  Sometimes reasons were given, but not always.  Lack of routine updates has been the norm.  Some product has been discontinued with little or no notice.  Now, rather than following through on some of the promised products we appear to see branchings out into ideologically opposite directions that violate the company's long touted single driver ideal.  Add to that precious few equipment reviews, little retail presence, no recent audio shows, a web site that's still slow to be updated, and too few of his gentle spirited posts. 

The result is frustration.

[seikosha]

JLM,

I can't help but wonder if your post is a perfect illustration of why manufacturers choose not to interact publicly with their customers.  No question everything you say is true, yet I bet most manufacturers out there are constantly throwing out ideas internally for new products, yet few get off the ground.  Because they aren't communicating any of this to us, we don't even realize it.

Had Louis been quiet about all these ideas and never posted them, many might be happier.  Ignorance is bliss right?

Jason Stoddard of Schitt audio has been posting a wonderful series of articles on headfi describing what it's like to launch and maintain a small audio company.  Much of what you mentioned, he's addressed brilliantly and his series is just a great read and perfect illustration about what it's like being a manufacturer.

Being a one (I guess almost 2 now) man shop, I'm absolutely sure that Louis has to prioritize the many facets of running a business.  Putting website updates and having slow communications are I'd say preferable areas to lack in compared to filling customer orders, but yeah, in the "I want everything now" culture, which I'm occasionally guilty of, it can be frustrating when promises are delayed or never filled.

Having started up a small business, I can totally understand everything Louis has to deal with, so I can see all sides to the issue.

Hopefully bringing Canada Rob into the fold tightens up the communication ( and probably filters some as it should) and over the coming months, things will run in ways that appear more linear and organized to those outside the business.

I've gotten excited seeing some of Louis' past announcements of upcoming products, but after realizing over time that they either take longer than announced, or may never happen at all, I now temper my enthusiasm and have developed a " well that sound cool, but I'll believe it when I see it" attitude.

At the end of the day, I think it's great that we are complaining about website updates and new product communication instead of unfulfilled orders, bad final products or declines in workmanship.  I'll take our current situation any day of the week.

[ZLS]

Audio has a very important part of my life for over 40 years.  So please don't tell me to get a life.

I've been a fan of Louis since he started Omega and have 292 previous posts to show for it.  But over that time many promised products never went into production or came and went almost overnight including various subwoofers, the Sticks, the DIY extended range drivers, and the 5 inch AlNiCo driver.  Sometimes reasons were given, but not always.  Lack of routine updates has been the norm.  Some product has been discontinued with little or no notice.  Now, rather than following through on some of the promised products we appear to see branchings out into ideologically opposite directions that violate the company's long touted single driver ideal.  Add to that precious few equipment reviews, little retail presence, no recent audio shows, a web site that's still slow to be updated, and too few of his gentle spirited posts. 

The result is frustration.

    When I first read this post, I was prepared to go into a rant about an unwarranted sense of entitlement. 

    I then reconsidered, and asked myself, what if the post is coming from the point of view of being genuinely invested in

seeing Omega Speakers doing well. 

    The underlying question is, what does a manufacturer owe to his customers, and his potential customers. 

    To my point of view, he owes his potential customers the time to answer any reasonable questions.

    He owes to his customers the delivery of their speakers as described, when promised, and for the price promised. 

    That is it. 

    I have been a customer of Omega Speakers since 2005; and in that time I have had zero problems with any of my

purchases. 

    Do I wish that Louis would post more?  Sure; but the fact that he does not is my problem not his.   

[DaveC113]

I'm gone for a few weeks and look what happens!  Kidding...   

I think it's cool that a manufacturer is willing to talk openly about their projects, and it's ok that some don't make it to fruition, things change in the process of doing R&D, other solutions come up, and it's up to the manufacturer to determine what's worthy of release and what's not. Most would never share information about anything until it's a done deal, and now I can see why.

I'm not sure Louis needs to do audio shows, and I respect that as shows take up a lot of time and money. It would be cool if he did, as he would embarrass some very high end competitors like Voxativ, Feastrex and Zellaton, but again... if he's doing enough business without having to go to shows then why bother? So many companies feel the need to grow and expand, imo it is one of the problems with our current system, and I don't see staying as a relatively small company as a problem, in fact just the opposite. Here in the US especially we have such screwed up priorities, putting work first, above and beyond family and friends in a never ending struggle to grow and make more an more money, leaving no time to relax and listen to some music. Possibly the reason why high end audio is declining, nobody wants to take the time to just relax and enjoy simple pleasures like music.

I have already posted my opinion on single drivers. I love them but they aren't the final and best solution for everyone. I for one want the dynamics and slam offered by speakers with large woofers, and the closest it can come to the cohesiveness of a single driver the better. Offering speakers with more than one driver is not selling out, it is offering products that fit the needs of a larger number of people, and for the purists there are a TON of great speakers to choose from in the Omega and HB speaker lines that are "pure" single drivers.

[bladesmith]

Generaly speaking, people who degrade others, suffer from low "self esteem". They pull others down to make themselves feel higher.

Generaly speaking, of course.

[Diamond Dog]

Where did all the mean-spiritedness come from?
It comes from within, Grasshopper.....it comes from within. 

Seriously, though. It does. And something about this hobby seems to make people cranky. I've wondered about why that is and then I stopped caring and so I stopped wondering. I bought a stereo to listen to music. Listening to music doesn't make me want to get into roll-arounds with people. Quite the opposite, actually. Guess I'm odd.
Folks wanna get all shouty about fuses or speaker design ideology and what-not, knock yourselves out. Can't be bothered. I've said it before and I'll say it again : I'm a bad audiophile.

D.D.

[pstrisik]

I find that people in audio forums are generally much better behaved than in many others (AVS forum is the exception).  I haven't even seen anything I would call "bad" behavior here.  I think it is worse when opinions are squashed with peer pressure.  Then we can't rely on anything we read.  All the glowing reviewers become "fan-boys" whether they really are or not - no way to tell.

.....Peter

[RDavidson]

Where did all the mean-spiritedness come from?
It comes from within, Grasshopper.....it comes from within. 

Argh! I HATE YOU!
Hmmm....My system sounds sooo much better now.
The effect is pretty immediate. The sound was very aggressive before. Now it is relaxed.
Audiophiles should try this in their system before spending a bunch of money on Stein Harmonizers!

[Diamond Dog]

Argh! I HATE YOU!
Hmmm....My system sounds sooo much better now.
The effect is pretty immediate. The sound was very aggressive before. Now it is relaxed.
Audiophiles should try this in their system before spending a bunch of money on Stein Harmonizers!

OOOOOH... I can really feel the hate...and I can hear the soundstage depth improvements ! 

D.D.

[Good Times]

Audio has a very important part of my life for over 40 years.  So please don't tell me to get a life.

I've been a fan of Louis since he started Omega and have 292 previous posts to show for it.  But over that time many promised products never went into production or came and went almost overnight including various subwoofers, the Sticks, the DIY extended range drivers, and the 5 inch AlNiCo driver.  Sometimes reasons were given, but not always.  Lack of routine updates has been the norm.  Some product has been discontinued with little or no notice.  Now, rather than following through on some of the promised products we appear to see branchings out into ideologically opposite directions that violate the company's long touted single driver ideal.  Add to that precious few equipment reviews, little retail presence, no recent audio shows, a web site that's still slow to be updated, and too few of his gentle spirited posts. 

The result is frustration.

Louis/Omega owes you NOTHING. Be grateful for what is on offer. If you don't like it, there's the door.

[mresseguie]

"I have already posted my opinion on single drivers. I love them but they aren't the final and best solution for everyone. I for one want the dynamics and slam offered by speakers with large woofers, and the closest it can come to the cohesiveness of a single driver the better. "

I'm curious to hear what thoughts you have on single driver speakers supported by either one or two subwoofers. Would a couple subs supply the dynamics and slam you crave?