Just a note to say that we are now auditioning what is likely to be a very popular new speaker on the decware website.

This new speaker is the genius of Omega Loudspeakers and is faster than even the most aggregate horn speakers... this is because it uses two of the worlds best four inch drivers with dynamic accelerations that even my direct coupled full range electrostatic speakers can't compete with.

Over the Christmas holidays we will be doing many in depth evaluations of these speakers as we try to wrap our heads around what they do, so that we can write a web page that accurately describes them for you.  I can already say, however, that I don't have a speaker with higher dynamic acceleration than these, and in fact I can safely say that even the majority of the main stream audiophiles have never heard anything anywhere near this speed even in systems exceeding $100 grand.

Even though the speakers will no doubt cost more than the amplifier due to their difference in size, the final paring will demonstrate rather clearly what the Omega / Decware synergy is all about.  Every speaker Omega makes sound great with Decware amplifiers, but these new speakers push the envelope in the same way the UFO output transformers pushed the envelope for the amplifiers ~ and the combination of the two is sure to set a new benchmark.

Keep your eye on the speaker section of the web site.

My guess is that is a new 1.5 way High Output Super 3 Speaker from Omega (possibly 2 AlNiCo 4" RS5 drivers?).  The other high output speakers from Omega are clocking in at 97-99dB efficient and 4 ohms, which seems like it would be the perfect mate for THE Zen amp.

Stone, that's interesting that you don't like high efficiency speakers.  I had never considered the rating of loudspeakers until I bumped into Decware so long ago.  These days, it is the first thing I look for when I consider something new.  Next, I check for the frequency span.  If they don't get down to the low 30s then I pass it by.

Before I knew about Decware I had Vandersteen in my crosshairs but after Decware I knew Vandersteen would never fly.

I checked out the Omega website.  The loudspeaker specs are impressive.  However, they aren't very pleasing to the eye, in my opinion.

I'm pretty excited about these and so close to purchasing. Walnut or Teak for me. To each their own, but I think they look great.

The link you shared are the 6" alnico hemp cones. The RS5 (4.5") cone looks like the ones posted above.

Matchstickman.... I totally agree.  Before my Decware days, I always had less efficient speakers, and a more powerful amp to drive them. I would incorporate a sub to "rock the house" so to speak.  But that system was mainly utilized for movies and surround sound.  Not critical listening.  

Now... utilizing more efficient speakers that sing with less power pushing them is the way to go.  I still utilize my powered sub with an active crossover.... but its tuned only to to hit the really low frequencies, so that way my main speakers can be the stars of the show.  

Playing the guitar since I was a kid helped me open up my musical ears.  When I hear a recording, I love to figure out how many instruments I can hear, and how many overlays the track consist of.  If you don't have a nicely matched system, then all you will hear is smear.  

Right now all I am missing is my Decware amp, but I have to hold off until after my house is redone.  Depending on my listening room and setup will determine whether I will go with the Torii MKIV or the ZMA.  

thats what i was thinking too mark.

Steve's post says 4 inch drivers.

I'm very curious about this. I've been researching a second set of speakers for a couple years and Omega is at the top of my list. I know that at their price point the 3xrs are hard to beat.  Farther up their chain I've read that Alnico drivers are awesome but pricey but I've never heard them. Can anyone speak to or about Alnico drivers being too forward? I feel like I've read that before also.

JD

The specs on the Omega 3XRS say they only go down to 40hz which to me says a subwoofer may be required.

regarding the Omega 3XRS' stated low frequency extension - I would say "subjectively" they don't even make it to 40hz - at least not in the abnormally large listening space my rig is in.  But this is a very abnormal environment and it takes a ton of air movement to pressurize the room.  However, in the frequency range the Omega's do present, it is pristine and spot-on for rez, life, realism, tonality, blah, blah, blah.  I think my buddy only gave 4 Father Franklin's for them - a steal any way you slice it.  We did "augment" the 3XRS with my OB Augie's after we'd listened to them solo for awhile and that definitely put a major foundation under them and was a major improvement.  I think I could live with those 3XRS' and a pair of OB Augie's to fill in the bottom for a long time and not want for much.

I will have at least one good teaser photo of these new speakers that I can post this weekend so stay tuned

Steve

Guys, how is the sweet spot of single driver speakers compared to multi driver speakers?  Is the high frequency spread(listening area coverage) about the same as tower speakers with tweeters?

Tease

Promised Teaser...

Hmmm, Somewhat different than I was thinking that it would be.
Not quite the same as the outlaw 1.5 way, the drivers look closer on these.
I'm now wondering that if two small drivers are good, how would 4 be? Kind of like a 4 valve engine, 4 smaller lighter valves allowing higher velocities plus the total area goes up.....

Okay, these loudspeakers may sound amazing but to me they look blah....  That's probably part of their allure.  You hear amazing sound and can't believe it would come from these things.  Tricky.  

Right now I have a Eddie Vaughn Carina coming (with custom Bubinga Wood) on Thursday + a Decware Racheal in a few months...... . These two and my ZMA + 6922 tube type NOS Plat....rolling will keep me busy.

However, come late summer/fall.....I will possibly need/out of curiousity....challenge my modified Adagio's, with these Speaker's. The kick in the nuts for shipping to and from + 10% restocking fee....might be worth it. I'll see what others think of them over the next 3, 6 and 9 months.

Better yet, I will call Steve and arrange to come to Decware and hear them with my Adagio's in tow.  
I will bring: NOS Plat tubes, my reference IC's and reference Speaker Cable for comparison too + my P3 and power cables (Shunyata Zitron Alpha to ZDSD is revelatory).

Stone, I know the folks here will love the Omegas as they have the past models from this company.  I have two pair both with alinco magnets on the single driver speakers.  The best are the Alinco Super 6XRSs that I have with the top of the line Alinco drivers you can see and read about on the site.  My only minor complaint when I had them in my main system for months was that on some material the highs/treble were a bit much for me but I had the same complaint with my HR-1s at the time...resistors, different speaker cables and other tweaks have resolved that problem.  I need to move the Omegas to the den beside my Zu Audio "Soul" speakers and see how they compare...they have been sitting in my bedroom unused for too long.

Anyway, I wanted to point out that the site and the audio circle forum already have tons of info and impressions/reviews for you to explore.  Mark.

http://omegaloudspeakers.com/home.html

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=31.0

I figured bass reflex. I'm running 450 down... Tweeter on up. Transmission lines for me.

Mark, I'm running Neodymium in mine. Those Omega drivers will have a tough time beating my modified Adagio's. You can read the stellar reviews on the Adagio's. I made them even better with my mod and Mundorf Mcap supremes. With the transmission lines?  Forgetta about it.

Might try these Omega's done the road as I stated.

With the mod, they maybe went up to 91 or 92db SPL @ 1watt/1meter my guy Joe who did the mod figures/ not measured. I could run them well with my SE84CS and SuperZenCKC. Thus, my purchase of the Eddie Vaughn Carina coming in next week.

With short voice coil and long magnetic gap .....much faster with transients and playing loud with incredible clarity too. Read the 6 moons review yellow box. ..... With mod and the ZMA....I pinch myself sometimes.... These Speakers are that good.

Was the price point for these gems mentioned anywhere?

Not shown in the picture is a nice magnetic grill.  Also, one of the drivers is only doing from 500 Hz (I think) on down leaving the top driver full range and crossover less.  

Louis told me these cones and surrounds together weigh in at 1.5 grams... unbelievable!  No wonder they are so damn fast, and the speaker is 99dB efficient with 1 watt.  It is the perfect pairing with our SET amplifiers and sells for well under $3K a pair.

Eventually, I'm going to have a set of good photos and a web page, so sit tight

Steve

Okay, just so I can get my head wrapped around this loudspeaker the specs are 40hz to ??? and around 99db for under $3k?   Is that about right?