[hibuckhobby]

Hi all,
Just a short intro:  been on AC and other forums for years and into audio for over 45 years.
I've recently retired and am looking the change my "office" system.  I currently have it set up
as a quasi-desktop system with Usher 520 monitors driven by either an Emotiva 50wpc integrated
or a Bottlehead S.E.X. amp.  (2 wpc)

The room is 10'x10' with bookshelves full of books on two walls.  I'm looking at Omega because I like
the sound of the Bottlehead amp a lot.  The Ushers do a decent job, but are a bit inefficient.  Tonally,
not too bad, but lacking dynamics with the tubes.  Here's my question:  What speaker should I look at/for?
I can either put them on my desk or on some 24" stands I have. (that's where the Ushers are)  My concern is
a lack of bass weight/quality with the very small drivers in the Omega desktops.  I don't listen real loud,
but like a bit of punch or slam in kickdrums and a full, woody sound on a standup bass.  I listen to cool jazz, bluegrass, CCM, 50's and 60's rock with some 70's (Eagles) mixed in as well as classical.

So...hit me up with some input.  I'm also not against the idea of buying used if the upgrade bug has hit you. 

Hibuck....

[Canada Rob]

Hello hibuckhobby,

If you switch from your Ushers to Omegas it will likely be like coming down a long hill and your ears pop, or if you are driving down the highway and the road is a little wet, slowly and imperceptibly fogging up your windshield and finally you put on the wipers with fluid and; wow, how clear, I can see again.  Not to mention the synergy they will have with your Bottlehead - made for each other.  The imaging, tone, liquidity, directness, focus, and clarity of all Omegas is insane and all without harshness, not to mention PRAT in spades.  This is not my opinion, it's my experience.

Super 3 Desktop: best for smaller desktops and with down firing port, desk can be against a wall or facing the room.  Reasonable bass.
Super 3i: If you have a little more real estate these give more bass and a fuller sound, also great for a small room.  Should have wall behind them.  The Leatherman of the Omega line.
Super 5: If you are going with stands and have a little more room either side of the speaker, go with these. Should have wall behind them.

When I say "should have wall behind them" it can be anywhere from almost touching to a couple of feet.  Not really picky. 
The bass these small drivers produce is amazing and without the typical bloat that many 2+ way speakers have.

Hope this gives you a little guidance.

[Moot]

I just built a Bottlehead Stereomour for my Super 6 monitors and I haven't slept since. My biggest complaint with the Super 6 was that it lacked bass authority. But matched with the Stereomour I now have tons of bass.
I wouldn't hesitate with either the 3i or the 5 and I can't see either of these disappointing you. Heck, I foresee a set of 5's in my future. My Omega/Bottlehead system is SO incredible!

[hibuckhobby]

Thanks for the input.  I would have them withing an inch or two of a wall and am wondering
what that would do with the rear ported speakers.   It's been my experience that this boosts
the bass/midbass almost too much.  Is this part of the design of the Omega?  I.E., are they
made to take advantage of that for a more linear and extended response?
tnx,
Hibuck...

[rollo]

Thanks for the input.  I would have them withing an inch or two of a wall and am wondering
what that would do with the rear ported speakers.   It's been my experience that this boosts
the bass/midbass almost too much.  Is this part of the design of the Omega?  I.E., are they
made to take advantage of that for a more linear and extended response?
tnx,
Hibuck...

  Correct.

charles

[Canada Rob]

  Correct.

charles

Charles, what's correct?  Please clarify.

Some rear ported speakers can have excessive bass boom when too close to the wall, and others are made to be close to a wall to reinforce the bass.  I personally have the Super 3i on my desktop almost touching the wall behind, and the bass is tight and transparent with no boom whatsoever.  The imaging is not compromised either - the speakers just disappear.  The centre of the bass port on my Super 3XRS are about 13" out from the wall with no boom and no thinness of sound.  With Omegas, one inch to two feet will work depending on your room acoustics and setup situation.  Also, if you look at the Super 3 Desktop the port is only about an inch from the desktop, and they don't boom - their bass is tight and quick.  As far as bass reinforcement goes there is little difference between a desktop underneath or a wall behind.

I have been in audio for decades and have never found a less picky speaker than Omega when it comes to placement.  No speaker is perfect, but Omega comes the closest to perfection of any speaker I have ever heard.

[Louis O]

Hi hibuckhobby,


Many thanks for your post and welcome. All the posts are very good and answered many of your questions as I would. The bass ports on the rear wont be a problem at all as the 3 and 5 series are very fast and would overcome that type of room gain. If you can manage a floorstander in your room the Super 3S would be great and will give you deeper bass.

Thanks,
Louis