Von Sweikert VR2 vs. VR4 jr

[Jim Clark]

It's finally time to upgrade and I was sufficiently impressed with the VR 2's. IMO these blew away the Focal 816s which were way too lean and uninvolving for me. Also spent some time with a set of Triangle Antal ES which impressed me with the forward soundstage (like being in the first row vs. the 15'th with the VR2's). They were very lively but it almost seemed to be at the expense of a wide soundstage. At any rate, they lost me with when I played some pipe organ music, I mean it didn't even sound close to a pipe organ anywhere along the spectrum and I'm not sure why. Certainly there was no "slam" and apparently that's by design but still...

I can get the VR 2's and the center for about 2,700. So my first question is-how much more do you think it would cost to step up to the VR4 Jr's?

Final question is screwy-how do you think the VS's compare to the Dynaudio 82's? I've wanted to hear the Dyns for the longest time but the only dealer anywhere near me won't carry the Audience line. He will bring in the Focus 220's when they are released but until then he only carries the upper line product. This completely sucks and puts me in the tough spot on relying on the opinions of others in order to avoid buyers remorse.

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Regards,
jc

[topspeed]

It's finally time to upgrade and I was sufficiently impressed with the VR 2's. IMO these blew away the Focal 816s which were way too lean and uninvolving for me. Also spent some time with a set of Triangle Antal ES which impressed me with the forward soundstage (like being in the first row vs. the 15'th with the VR2's).

I couldn't agree more regarding your comparison of the VSA vs. Focal. That is the exact way I felt when I compared the two. With regards to the soundstage, did you try adjusting the rear driver on the VR2? This may have affected the soundstage.

I can get the VR 2's and the center for about 2,700. So my first question is-how much more do you think it would cost to step up to the VR4 Jr's?

If you go by list prices, it will run about $2k. However, street prices are usually 20-25% off (I've seen jr's go for $3k), expecially if you pick up a LCR15 too. If your dealer won't do the deal, find one that will. They exist, trust me. Having to choose between a VR2 or VR4jr, eh? Gee, life must really suck for you.

Final question is screwy-how do you think the VS's compare to the Dynaudio 82's? I've wanted to hear the Dyns for the longest time but the only dealer anywhere near me won't carry the Audience line.

Well, opinions are like a$$holes, everyone's got one and since most consider me an a$$hole anyway, I'll give you my opinion . If you didn't like the Focals, you won't like the Danes. They are very similar in their presentation and voicing, although I thought the Focal's posessed a tad more warmth in the mid-band. Comparatively, the VSA's are far more dynamic (it's not close, really), more musical, offer more body to the instruments, better cohesion between the drivers, and a dramatically wider sweet spot. In short, they are simply more fun to listen to. If you value a speaker's ability to make your toe tap, I think you'd easily prefer the VR over any Dyn.

As you're buying the entire front stage, you should be made aware that some other VSA owners carp about the LCR15's ability to keep up the jr's. The LCR15 is an excellent speaker in it's own right and utilizes the exact same drivers, so I don't really understand the argument, but if you are concerned I believe Albert makes a larger CC called the LCR30. Ask Kevin at VSA if you'd like more info.

The 4jr as well as the VR4IIIse are both on my short list when I finally build a dedicated 2 channel system. Good luck on your decision.

[Geoffcin]

It's a speaker that I liked the first time I heard it, and every other time too.

[46minaudio]

Jim I have been looking an upgrade for about a year now.I want to replace my system with somthing alot better(to me),not just alittle better but alot.The VR4jrs are it so far.I will spare you with all the audiophile talk.This is a very dynamic speaker and can plat loud with no compression.And to me sounds just as good at low volumes as high.The 2s did not make my alot better list..Hope this helps.

[Jim Clark]

Thanks for the replies. Seems like the jr's show up fairly regularly on Audiogon so I'm thinking about going that route. I feel a bit ashamed buying used after going to the dealer who was very friendly and helpful, but in fairness I didn't audition the Jr's, which is another area of at least some concern. If I go back and audition I'll of course buy new, otherwise I might take a leap of faith having heard the VR2's and reading some fairly substantial reviews.

I'm going to measure my room and see if folks here think the JR's would be overkill, I think that is the final consideration for me. Thanks again.

jc

[RGA]

Jim the only way you could get buyers remorse is if you don't think the speaker is all that great or you have various reservations about what you hear. Most all of us have to buy a speaker that fits a budget - if you've heard lots of speakers and like one because ti sounds the best to your ear then chances are you'll be happy. We all have to live with the fact that one day at some point we MIGHT hear something else that is better. I look at finding something "BETTER" not as something that would give me buyers remorse but an opportunity for improvement.

If you buy a speaker or any other componant that makes you excited and happy to listen to all day long then it's a terrific speaker -- the fact that some other product down the road you like more does not or should not detract you from liking the speaker you've settled on in the now.

I have listened to a LOT of gear over the years but it's such a tiny drop in the bucket of what is out there. I am taking the risk in January when I go to the Audio show in Vegas that I will find stuff I like better than what I have from another company. I may still like what I have more but i want to go so that when I make recommendations to people I have more than one or three companies out of over 100 so far that remotely impress me. I am hoping to hear good smaller makers designed by music lovers not accountants/marketing departments. Companies like Von Sweikert, Jean Marie Reynaud, SP technologies, Green Mountain Audio, Merlin acoustics and a number of others.

It does not matter that I may find something I like better because what i already found is extremely musically rewarding. it's hard to imagine it getting much better -- but I've said that before -- see 4 years ago and my comments for Reference 3a's MM De Capo.

[Florian]

If you get a chance to hear any of these "Analysis Audio, Genesis, Apogee,or Acustat and Soundlab" then dont hesistate. Be warned tough, you might end up like me

[Jim Clark]

Jim the only way you could get buyers remorse is if you don't think the speaker is all that great or you have various reservations about what you hear. Most all of us have to buy a speaker that fits a budget - if you've heard lots of speakers and like one because ti sounds the best to your ear then chances are you'll be happy. We all have to live with the fact that one day at some point we MIGHT hear something else that is better. I look at finding something "BETTER" not as something that would give me buyers remorse but an opportunity for improvement.

If you buy a speaker or any other componant that makes you excited and happy to listen to all day long then it's a terrific speaker -- the fact that some other product down the road you like more does not or should not detract you from liking the speaker you've settled on in the now.

I have listened to a LOT of gear over the years but it's such a tiny drop in the bucket of what is out there. I am taking the risk in January when I go to the Audio show in Vegas that I will find stuff I like better than what I have from another company. I may still like what I have more but i want to go so that when I make recommendations to people I have more than one or three companies out of over 100 so far that remotely impress me. I am hoping to hear good smaller makers designed by music lovers not accountants/marketing departments. Companies like Von Sweikert, Jean Marie Reynaud, SP technologies, Green Mountain Audio, Merlin acoustics and a number of others.

It does not matter that I may find something I like better because what i already found is extremely musically rewarding. it's hard to imagine it getting much better -- but I've said that before -- see 4 years ago and my comments for Reference 3a's MM De Capo.

The only way remorse would factor into the equation would be if I can't hear any comprarable Dyaudio products. I know I can never hear them all, wouldn't want to but my interest in the Danes goes back to the days of Vandy and Norb which was many, many years ago. While Vandy was a Klipsch proponent (I have been a Klipsch owner for 12 years now) he was very fond of the Danes. I also see where even you have been impressed with at least part of the product line, and then there was Woodman as well (72's). Having heard so many positive comments for so long it bothers me that I can't audition anything in the line that sells for under 15 grand. KC isn't exactly the big city but then again, it's not exactly the sticks either. That such a popular and well regarded line isn't even represented in this city sucks. I know I want to hear some Dynaudio 82's although Topspeed's opinion does mean something to me.

I guess if worst comes to worst I could always resell something on Audiogon but the frequent upgrade fever is something I've managed to resist for many years, I'd hate to have to change my ways now.

Thanks for the comments.

jc