Spaciousness and accurate imaging thus seemed theoretically contradictory goals until a recent effort by Ohm Acoustics Corporation pretty well succeeded at eating this cake and having it too. Ohm’s Walsh 2 loudspeaker was named after the late Lincoln Walsh, a physicist who first formulated this design concept and whose patents were acquired by Ohm. It represents an ingenious attempt to combine multidirectional sound spread with precise stereo focus, thus making the best of both worlds. Shaped as a truncated pyramid (32 inches high and 11 inches square at the base and finished in a choice of fine woods) the Ohm Walsh 2 thumbs its nose at established norms, both in the configuration of its sound radiators and the innards of its compact enclosure.

The main advantage of its unique inverted cone radiator is that it maintains those crucial phase relationships while at the same time dispersing sound in a full circle. In addition, a conventional tweeter augments the uppermost octave so as to restore whatever sense of directionality might otherwise be lost in the overall scatter.

The effect of this arrangement is eminently satisfying. A spacious acoustic ambiance linked with precise stereo imaging creates a ”reach-out-and-touch-it” realism that this listener has exprienced rarely and only with the very best speakers. What’s more, the effect is maintained over a broad listening area, so you are not confined to a particular listening position for best results. For someone like myself, who likes to pace about while listening, this is a decided plus. Add the exquisite clarity of the treble and ample bass free from false boominess, and you have the makings of musical truth. As speaker prices go these days, the Ohm Walsh 2 seems a bargain at $700 per pair.