Omar Speakers

[Mothman]

Came across a pair of Omar Floor standing speakers for sale localy. It's not a name I'm familiar with and was wondering if anyone new of their history and whether they were considered to be any good.? I'm not interested in buying them as the seller is asking a lot for them and judging by the photos they look like thev'e been used primarily as flower pot stands for some considerable while, however I was curious to know how they rated.

[hifi_dave]

Very small (one man band) company which produced a couple of interesting but rather home made speakers back in the 80's. They were a bit quirky to say the least, and I doubt their total production exceeded a few dozen.

[Mothman]

Seller has updated the details to read

Made by Omar Skinner & Sons

Omar 880
http://theartofsound.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=54&pictureid=289

Apologies for the crap picture

[DSJR]

Good lord, It's decades since I heard that name..

My local audio/record shop in Aylesbury in the 70's was, IIRC, "Audio-Visual Systems," and I believe they once had some small Omar speakers which they liked..

[spendorman]

There was Omal as well, think that may have been even earlier

[Beobloke]

I remember one of Southampton's Hi-Fi shops organising a mini-show at what used to be the Post House Hotel back when I were were a lad, that used Yamaha electronics and Omar loudspeakers. I badgered my dad into taking me along (not difficult as he is a hi-fi enthusiast and Yamaha fan!) and I recall we were rather impressed. I am sure the 880s shown above were one of the speakers on display.

I have also owned pairs of Omar Winchester and Omar Goring S loudspeakers myself, which were smaller and older - both very nice.

[Mothman]

I'll keep an eye on them in case the seller drops them to a realistic price but at £100 I would be surprised if they find a buyer.

[hifi_dave]

If the pic you posted is of the speakers concerned, I would respectfully suggest, that you really can't go wrong at £100. If you don't like them, the components would show you a profit on E-Bay.

[Beobloke]

Agreed - £100 sounds like a very good price to me. I assumed you were talking multiple hundreds!

[hifi_dave]

Adam,
Do you remember the name of the man who ran Omar ?

[Mothman]

Agreed - £100 sounds like a very good price to me. I assumed you were talking multiple hundreds!

I'm sure these are probably great speakers for what is less than some would spend on one cable, however to the non hifi majority out there, a £100 will probably seem a lot of money for a pair of 25yr old speakers with water stained cabinets and from a company they won't have heard of, which is why I'd be surpised if they find a buyer quickly.

I would go for them myself but unfortunately I do not have the knowledge to identify the make, model and value of the various compenent parts just by looking at the speakers, so buying them to split would be probably be risky if I decided they weren't for me.

[Beobloke]

Adam,
Do you remember the name of the man who ran Omar ?

No, I'm afraid I don't. I've actually tried to find out more about the company over the years, with absolutely no success!

[Beobloke]

I'm sure these are probably great speakers for what is less than some would spend on one cable, however to the non hifi majority out there, a £100 will probably seem a lot of money for a pair of 25yr old speakers with water stained cabinets and from a company they won't have heard of, which is why I'd be surpised if they find a buyer quickly.

I would go for them myself but unfortunately I do not have the knowledge to identify the make, model and value of the various compenent parts just by looking at the speakers, so buying them to split would be probably be risky if I decided they weren't for me.

I take your point. Frankly, I'd be tempted by them if I didn't already have three...no, four large pairs of loudspeakers in various states of disrepair clogging up my house/shed/parents garage!

[hifi_dave]

No, I'm afraid I don't. I've actually tried to find out more about the company over the years, with absolutely no success!

Like a lot of British manufacturers, I believe they were a one man band or, in this case, one man and a part-timer band - not a company. As I recall, the designer chappie lived in a caravan and had the stock in a lock-up garage. Something in the back of my mind makes me think he had a heart attack and that's where it ended.