Very happy to finally have occasion to post in this forum, on which I've been lurking for quite some time. I just acquired a beautiful pair of customshop SAM XRS speakers from their original owner. My road to Omega is a long one, but the short version is that a move to a new apartment (NYC) has required a downsizing of my system. I was driving Harbeth SHL5+ with tube monoblocks previously, a setup I'd had and enjoyed for the past few years. But moving my entire setup into a tiny listening room compelled me to downsize to an integrated amp and speakers that might play better in a smaller space. I picked up a Line Magnetic ML-218ia, became intrigued by the single driver concept, became downright obsessed with Omega and Louis' much-praised work, and here I am!
I knew there would be some psychoacoustic adjustment needed after switching to a single driver design after having listened to Harbeths for years. And indeed, it is a vastly different presentation. The first thing I'm struck by is the amount of detail the Omegas retrieve from the recordings. The Omegas absolutely best the Harbeths at conveying the detail and air of percussion, acoustic instruments, etc. And I was surprised to find the bass quite sufficient (the XRS design helps in this regard); even having just switched from the SHL5, I'm not feeling that I'm missing any bass. The realism and immediacy of good recordings is startling. Just how bad a poor recording can sound is depressing - I do not find the Omegas forgiving in this regard!
The only issue I'm having right now, and it's a minor one, and keeping in mind that the speakers are still very new to me - is some excitable higher frequencies that occasionally leave me wincing. This particular happens with horns playing in higher registers, or flute. And I should mention that I am particularly sensitive to brightness. The Harbeths were such a warm, colored speaker (IMHO) that they pretty much dispensed with any brightness in recordings (despite having no tweeter, the Omegas seem twice as "sparkly" as the Harbeths!) Most recordings are fine, but every now and then a horn solo hits those frequencies that have me scrambling for the remote. The Omegas are just that revealing! If the recording is bright, that's what I get. So I'm not blaming the speaker or the design - it's the recording, and very likely my untreated room with some nasty reflections.
I am experimenting with position and toe-in, and I think this issue will eventually resolve itself. (I may just "get used to it" and eventually find it to be a welcome byproduct of a revealing speaker.) But I'm very happy to be an Omega owner, and to be posting on this forum, and I look forward to hearing any thoughts or tips others may wish to share - on this topic or others.
Thanks!
Zach