Okay, full disclosure time. Louis has lent me a pair of the prototype Sticks while I am waiting for him to finish his R&D on the OBs that I purchased. He had also lent me a prototype of the 5's that I return when I received the Sticks, so I do have a basis of comparison that is based on my personal experience.
Simply put, the 5's are great little Speakers; the Sticks are great Speakers period. The difference in sound between the two is the richness of tone (besides the lower bass).
It is amazing to me how Louis can take the same driver and achieve totally different results by using different enclosures.
The Sticks are very responsive to the Electronics that are feeding them. You want pure tone, give them so SETs and you will weep from the sheer beauty. You want articulation along with that tone, give them some PP Pentodes. You want them to rock out and head bang with the best of them they feed them so good SS with some muscle behind them. The thing is, Louis is right, they do disappear. Visually it is certainly easy to explain, but musically I keep saying that all that music cannot possibly be coming from those skinny little things! It is one 4 1/2" driver, and you get deep articulate bass. I have Jazz recording with Ray Brown and Milt Hnton on acoustic bass, and it is there, authority, nuance, and articulation. I have Electronica recordings, Senor Coconut, Brent Lewis and the electronic bass has all the slam you want. The midrange as in all of Louis's speakers is to die for, (Once you go Single Driver you never go back!) and the highs are clean and extended due in no small part to the weight of the bass.
Now, are the Sticks the be all and end all? One word, no. They do not throw the incredible sound stage of the floor standing Bipole/Dipole Omega Speakers that I had, but they come close and the ease of placement (you can put them anywhere) more then makes up for it is this persons opinion.
You say want a Super Speaker System? A System that is capable of playing anything at any volume? A System that can sound as small or as large as the recording demands? Well step right over here and do I have a deal for you!
Combine the Sticks with the Omega Deep Hemp, or better yet a pair of Deep Hemps and your first thought will be, " My journey has ended, I am finally home" Everything disappears but the music. Those of you who have a Deep Hemp along with your main Omega Speakers will know exactly what I mean. It is not about bass per se, but rather about a base for the music.
Omega Speakers have always been about conveying the emotion of the music; it is not just a bunch of notes that are strung together, but a story being told. The Sticks continue and add to this noble tradition.
You're first reaction upon hearing the sticks is that they can't possibly be doing that. Your second reaction is to go Shush, keep quite, can't you see that I am listening to music? Your third reaction will be the question, "How Much? and your fourth reaction will be, "Can I take this pair home?"
I am seriously wavering on my commitment to the OBs.
My Reference Recordings for the Sticks;
1. Johnny Hodges Saxophone Solo on Ishfahan from Duke Ellington's Far East Suite
2. Johnny Hartman singing Send In The Clowns from This Ones For Tedi
3. Bonnie Raitt singing Love Me Like A Man (Live Recording) From the Best of Bonnie Raitt
4. Aaron Neville singing Save The Last Dance For Me from Till The Night Ends a Tribute To Doc Pomus
5. Senor Coconut singing Kiss from Around The World
