Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: VonSchweikert Audio VR 2 Speakers by ka7niq

Model:	VR 2
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2500
Description:	4 Driver Tower Speaker
Manufacturer URL:	VonSchweikert Audio
Manufacturer URL:	VonSchweikert Audio

Review by ka7niq ( A ) on July 28, 2003 at 08:41:27
IP Address: 4.46.218.13

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for the VR 2

The VR 2 is a quasi 3 way speaker with a rear ambiance tweeter.
The 2 6.5 inch drivers look identical , but the lower driver has a larger magnet , and rolls off above 200 hz , so as not to screw up the midrange.
The upper crossover occurs at 2.2 hz to the tweeter.
A transmission line loading scheme is employed for the woofers , allowing bass extension down to 25 hz.
Another benefit of the transmission line loading is a much flatter impedance curve , devoid of the usual resonant peak inherent in ported designs.
This allows VR 2 to be a much easier load for tube amps.
The VR2 has an impedance of 8 to 20 ohms , making it perhaps ideal for OTL Tube amps , such as Futtermans, Counterpoints , and VTL designs ?
I found these to need a LOT of break in , and I suggest one not even listen to them unless it has at least 150 hours.
Mine actually sounded best at 300 hours !
It is important to turn the rear tweeter all the way up during break in.
I didnt do this , so I had to put another 150 hours on them with the rear tweeter all the way on.
Running the rear tweeter wide open makes them bright , but you MUST do this , or it wont break in.
Thats the reason I suggest not even listening until they are fully broke in !
Once broken in , the first thing one notices about VR 2 is the amazing coherency.
Seamless is the word I would use.
Careful placement is required due to the low bass capability and the rear tweeter.
Mine worked best about a foot and a half out from the rear wall , with the rear tweeter set on one and a half.
I also found they dont like audiophile wire ?
My Audioquest and Tara Labs cables didnt sound as good as Regular Monster cable ?
I tried them with my Dynaco Stereo 70 , and A Jolida 1703 Tube/Mosfet hybrid , but they seem to prefer my solid state amps ?
I am totally of the belief that good sound is all about your combination.
I dont think there is one best amp, preamop, etc.
It how things sound together.
Thats why I own many componets , so I can mix and match them on different speakers and wire combo's , to try and get the best sound.
That said , with the exception of my Audire Parlando and Tube line stage , the component that worked best on VR 2 was a JVC RX DP 9 receiver !
Since this is not a review of the JVC , I wont get into it , except to say it beat out every single combo except one of the many components I own on the VR 2 !
As I said before, the sound of the VR 2 is seamless , with excellent imaging.
The VR 2 will float images in 3 dimensional space , and will place images well out to the sides of the speakers.
The VR 2 does not disappear, it isnt even there.
On well recorded material , the sound is simply " there " totally free of the speakers.
To get this effect , you must be sure to have the lead shot loaded into the resonance chamber , otherwise , the box talk will spoil the party.
The amp/wire combo must also optimum too.
VR 2 did not display this ability with every amp/wire combo I tried it with.
VR 2 forces you to play , and then rewards you with music.
If you dont want to play , simply go out and buy a JVC RX DP 9 , bi wire with oxygen free Monster Cable , and sit back and smile !
One warning, the RX DP 9 does not really have enough power with the VR 2 for a large room !
The VR 2 , because it is such a high impedance speaker , does not turn a 100 wpc amp into 8 ohms into a 200 wpc amp into 4 ohms like some speakers do.
If you have a large room, or like it loud , I suggest a large , smooth solid state amp for VR 2.
Just for kicks , I tried it with a Samson F1200 amp.
This amp is 400 wpc into 8 ohms , and is more of a pro sound amp.
The image collapsed , and harshness set in , but it did kick ass in the bass.
The VR 2 is not a bright speaker , and it is slightly on the warm side of neutral.
The tweeter has excellent detail w/o brightness.
The midrange is very vivid , almost electrostatic like , but without the thinness and plasticky sound I hear from most electrostats.
Speech is pretty good , and improves dramatically when you add the lead shot.
Another benefit of the rear tweeter is voices on the TV remain kind of centered even for off axis viewers.
It is better in this regard than most speakers I have tried.
Bass is deep on the VR 2 , and pitch definition is good too.
The rear tweeter makes it possible to add , or subtract brightness , and I play with it , depending on the recording I am listening to.
I have even gone so far as to write rear tweeter settings on the album covers and Cd cases !
I made up little stickers for the CD cases , and I write the corresponding rear tweeter setting on them.
So, to sum up this review , I really like the VR2.
It isnt a metal heads power rock speaker , nor is it great on my kids Rap either.
But , it is a convincing reproducer of music.
It is also rather pretty too , and has a high girlfriend acceptance factor.
I would reccomend it as long as your room isnt huge.
The 2500 dollar price point has a lot of fine products for you to choose from , and the VR 2 is certainly one of the best in this range.
One listen to a well broke in, properly set up VR2 , and you will see why Albert Von Schweikert is a consultant to many high end speaker companies.
The man is good at what he does , and within its limitations, VR 2 shows the skill of a master speaker designer.
Well Done !

Product Weakness: High Impedance , not great for heavy metal or rap , requires careful placement.
Product Strengths: Coherency, imaging , electrostatic like mids, smooth highs , looks , size , lack of box sound , overall musicality.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	JVC RX DP 9
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Oracle / Koetsu
Speakers:	Von Schweikert VR 2
Cables/Interconnects:	Monster
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Acoustic / Classical/ Chamber
Room Size (LxWxH):	12 x 14 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	LE/DE
Time Period/Length of Audition:	4 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Vans Evers
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	High Impedance , not great for heavy metal or rap , requires careful placement.
Product Strengths:	Coherency, imaging , electrostatic like mids, smooth highs , looks , size , lack of box sound , overall musicality.