Found a local JM Lab retailer

[Duds]

Found a retailer a few hours away who has some Von Schweikert VR1 demos in like new condition. He's going to call me to tell me a price that "I will be very happy with" Cant wait to hear what the price is.

I do have some questions though. Like IRG, how do these speakers do with rock music? I listen to A Perfect Circle, Tool, Pink Floyd, Gathering, porcupine Tree, Neil Young, Tori AMos, etc. Also, how will they perform with my Marantz receiver?

[IRG]

Found a retailer a few hours away who has some Von Schweikert VR1 demos in like new condition. He's going to call me to tell me a price that "I will be very happy with" Cant wait to hear what the price is.

I do have some questions though. Like IRG, how do these speakers do with rock music? I listen to A Perfect Circle, Tool, Pink Floyd, Gathering, porcupine Tree, Neil Young, Tori AMos, etc. Also, how will they perform with my Marantz receiver?

I've been into A Perfect Circle lately. Great recordings, that can only benefit from a good speaker. Do you like the new cd? It is a bit different to me, but sounds great. I love Floyd too. Haven't heard Porcupine Tree - what genre -or who are they similar to?

I've been considering the Paradigm Monitor series lately. Now that the Version4 is coming out, the older v3 are being discounted by my dealer. He will sell me the floorstanders which are normally $750 for the price of the Monitor 5 which are $580. I won't need stands then, which is one plus. Could also buy a smaller 10" sub instead of a 12".

One advantage of going with "popular" speakers like Paradigm, B&W, etc. is that they resell well. I have some older JBL speakers, and I am really surprised at how well they have resold. I have one on ebay now, the auction isn't over, and I am almost selling it for what I paid for, and that was 5 years ago. Amazing. There is a pair of B&W 602 S3 speakers for sale, and already that auction is up to $500, plus shipping, you aren't too far off from the original price of $650 (and that is list I believe).

The VR-1, as amazing as they may be at $1k, are already selling for $500-$600 used a year later. That is a pretty high depreciation rate. Same with most high end speakers - they lose value fairly quickly, depending on the model, and timing too. If you hold onto speakers for a long time though, I guess it doesn't matter. I like to switch every so often, so this does play into it some for me.

The Monitor series is probably better for rock, and equally good on most mainstream music. If you don't listen to rock, and prefer mellower music or female voices/piano there may be better choices, but not that the Monitors can't do other forms of music well. ANd they are probably well suited for HT too, something I need to consider.

The only thing I don't like is the finish. And to get them shielded, you have to order black, which in this speaker is a bit drab. I get the feeling, although I have nothing to back this up with, is that the "specialty" speakers like Triangle, Von Schweikert, etc. that are popular right now, (at least their monitor size speakers) may not be used by their owners for rocking music. And maybe they aren't designed that way. I just get the feeling that APC may sound better on Paradigm or B&W than the VR-1. But only listening (at home) can really confirm this.

P.S. I think your Marantz will be fine, and you may be able to add a power amp to this using the preouts, correct? Something to consider in the future. I might also do the same with my NAD.

[topspeed]

One advantage of going with "popular" speakers like Paradigm, B&W, etc. is that they resell well...The VR-1, as amazing as they may be at $1k, are already selling for $500-$600 used a year later. That is a pretty high depreciation rate. Same with most high end speakers - they lose value fairly quickly, depending on the model, and timing too.

Good point. B&W enjoys the highest resale value of any speaker. Why? Quality of construction, quality of sound, and most importantly name recognition. Do you think Joe Public on e-bay has heard of VSA, Green Mountain, Audio Note, or other smaller brands? Pricing is all about supply and demand and naturally the more visible a brand is, the more demand there will be for it. You also have to consider street price vs. msrp. I bought my B&W for over 30% off msrp and bought my VR1's new for less than they are going for on audiogon. If you find the right dealer and know a thing or two about negotiation, you'd be surprised at what can be accomplished.

I get the feeling, although I have nothing to back this up with, is that the "specialty" speakers like Triangle, Von Schweikert, etc. that are popular right now, (at least their monitor size speakers) may not be used by their owners for rocking music. And maybe they aren't designed that way. I just get the feeling that APC may sound better on Paradigm or B&W than the VR-1. But only listening (at home) can really confirm this.

Read my post about voicing. A great speaker can do everything from Patricia Barber to Pink Floyd. They aren't one dimensional.

[RGA]

Duds - to clear up a misconception -- tube amps do not have a warm sound - at least not that can be generalized and many tube amps can actually do leading edges of strings better than most any SS amps I have heard. Also there are many SS amps such as the Sugden I just traded that are slightly veiled sounding (some Creeks too) which could be argued sound warm - some sound highly analytical - Bryston and a some Antique Sound Labs Tube amps. People play fast and loose with generalizaions -- I'm guilty too. Not very many speakers like to be partnered with tube amps - and sensitivity is not a valuable tool in determining whether a speaker will be tube amp friendly or not. A mismatch can cause a tube to amp try and create a level of damping it can't muster -- and power it can;t muster and will result in a bit of a mushy bass line -- when that happens the bass can lag a little sounding wooly. This in turn could be viewed as warm because you no longer get a tight grip on bass for the punchy sound.

Excellent tube amps are excellent - most aren't -- ditto for SS amplifiers for that matter.

As for speakers - listen to a lot of stuff and gain experience that way. B&W is a good starting point. If this is strictly for two channel keep your ears open and listen to some of the brands your dealers carry that you've never heard of -- it's a risk to carry no name brands so they may be there because they actually resemble music-- most stuf doesn't and price is very indirectly related to quality. If you like the sound of the Monitor Audio's then I suggest you listen for SEVERAL hours and run through virutually every kind of music you like -- if they are not spot on throughout keep looking -- if they are then you've found a sound you like and there you go.

[Duds]

wow, it's a price that will be hard to pass up. I have the opportunity to have them shipped to me to audition them in my home too, so I think this will work out great. Or I may just buy them, since I also have the opportunity to return them of for some reason they dont work for me.

Stay tuned!!

[IRG]

wow, it's a price that will be hard to pass up. I have the opportunity to have them shipped to me to audition them in my home too, so I think this will work out great. Or I may just buy them, since I also have the opportunity to return them of for some reason they dont work for me.

Stay tuned!!

And what price would that be? Inquiring minds want to know! To me, this is the best way to audition speakers, have them sent to your home, and if you like 'em, keep 'em, and if not, ship them back. Not too much lost. How much did you see the JM Labs Chorus 706 S for? $440 was a price I got. Let me know...

[Duds]

I can brand spankin new VR1's with the VR1 stands for less than what a pair of Paradigm Studio 20v3's cost without stands....

[IRG]

I can brand spankin new VR1's with the VR1 stands for less than what a pair of Paradigm Studio 20v3's cost without stands....

Is this a deal you can share with me, a certain dealer for example that is willing to deal? Or is this a special for you only? If you want to email me, that would be great. Thanks, irg

[Duds]

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