Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Hearing Things Blind Test and a review of the LFR-1100's

JC - thanks for the welcome back. Completely off topic, but throwing it out there - I bought a pair of Ohm Walsh SSC4900 in February. They are very close to the LFR-1100 system using the famous Walsh driver.

Listening tests were so close that I ended up with using them in the high end, two channel system and the Axioms in the big theater.

Ohm builds their stuff in New York City - so both products are American (continent) made.

I also auditioned the so called "Stereophile Class A Goldenear Tritons. Talk about over hype! They were dry, lacking soundstage … just mediocre.

You are always welcome Craig as are your comments and opinions.

When it comes to "Professional" audio reviews, you really need to take them with a grain of salt as per your "Stereophile Class A Goldenear Tritons" latest experience. You really need to trust your own ears.

"I bought a pair of Ohm Walsh SSC4900 in February. They are very close to the LFR-1100 system...."

Hmmmmm...I would have never expected a conventional speaker to sound similar to a direct/reflecting loudspeaker with a DSP-based "equalizer". Does this include micro and macro dynamics?

Mojo - which is, in your opinion, the "conventional speaker"?

Both excel at micro and macro dynamics. Both are Omnidirectional and present a massive soundstage. The Walsh driver design dates back to the late 60's and has had many updates in its 50 year tenure.

Both speakers are even about the same price. I would have a hard time picking one over the other.

The conventional speaker is the one that doesn't have "fancy gimmicks" but I suppose after reading about the Ohm Walsh that has fancy gimmicks as well.

Is the soundstage presented the same in both speakers? You know what I'm asking. Are the performers in front or behind?

The Soundstage is similar in both - very deep and wide. If listening to a well recorded live Album, the audience cues are often from behind you, which is pretty cool for a 2 channel system.

Both designs have years of listening tests combined with measurements to get the Omni Directional "just right". Axiom uses the DSP while Ohm uses sound barriers at the rear of the speaker. Both get the job done in a way that conventional (including most bi-polar) do not.


One of the least enjoyable speakers I ever owned was Def Tech BP-2000 and BP-3000. Straight Bi Polar and terrible soundstage.


One of my favorite things to do is have people listen to "In The Flesh" from Roger Waters. When "Hal", the robot from 2001: A Space Odyssey is speaking, he starts at the front of the room, and goes down the side and ends up behind you. People cannot believe this is all with two channel, and it is only the Ohm and Axiom that do it.

The LFR-1100's are easier to drive - probably a good 4 dB more sensitive. Both are SO good.

It's quite amazing that what you are witnessing was achieved with a passive architecture. This tells me Axiom needs additional, circumferential drivers on the LFRs to achieve greater dispersion if they truly want to top the Ohm Walsh.

Having a pair of the LFR speakers in my listening room, I was curious about your music suggestions to point out the spectacular sound. What track(s) are you referring to from the Rogers Waters live album are you referring to.

The entire disc has audio treats imbedded in it. The "HAL" section is on the second disc. The best way to experience "In The Flesh" is to relax with a cocktail and listen to both discs.

Actually the doctors now say alcohol is never good for you. Not even a glass of red wine. All the good things in life are bad for us!