Home
AudioAsylum Trader
Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: VonSchweikert Audio VR-1 Speakers by EdM

General speaker questions for audio and home theater.

For Sale Ads

FAQ / News / Events

 

REVIEW: VonSchweikert Audio VR-1 Speakers

66.74.234.158


[ Follow Ups ] Thread:  [ Display   All   Email ] [ Speaker Asylum ]
[ Alert Moderator ]

Model: VR-1
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $995
Description: Reference Mini-Monitor
Manufacturer URL: VonSchweikert Audio
Model Picture: View

Review by EdM ( R ) on January 08, 2005 at 15:29:50
IP Address: 66.74.234.158
Add Your Review
for the VR-1


I needed a pair of small monitors for a second system and after looking around, reading comments, and numerous auditions (of other speakers) I took a chance on the VR-1s. The chance part was due to the fact I never could audition them! Just seemed like everything conspired against me getting to a dealer that had them.

As it happened I found a pair of audiogon at the "steal it" price of $500 so I jumped on those. I remembered hearing Von Schweikert at CES a few years ago and liked their dynamics then and never quite forgot their sound.

At any rate the speakers arrived in beautiful African Rosewood and were in absolutely pristine condition. I was amazed at the quality of the VR-1s and after setting them on 24" Target stands, I was amazed at their sound as well. As they were already broken in by the previous owner, I dived right in.

After a false start of setting them up about 5 feet apart and toed in slightly I heeded the comments of others here and placed them straight on and as far apart as I could given my room size. This ended up being just shy of 9 feet tweeter center to center.

I can't quite believe the imaging and musicality of these speakers. They have pretty much bested anything I have had in here before in regards to detail and resolution without a hint of brightness or grain.

The bass is perfect for my room and so tight, well defined, and well controlled I don't even miss any lower notes. I tend to first judge speakers (and most other components) by three factors: Brushes and cymbals, drums, and female vocals. In every case the VR-1s surpassed all my expectations and exceeded almost anything I can think of I've listened to previously.

Diana Krall's "Live in Paris" has plenty of brushes and the clarity of the VR-1 is near the top. Not only were the brushes well defined but exuded an air of delicacy and refinement unheard of in this price range. The bass was also exceptional in it's definition and tightness.

On Patricia Barber’s "Cafe Blue" , "The Thrill is Gone", again the brushes and cymbals are so clear and defined, again with that delicacy and airiness. On "Ode to Billy Joe" the bass strumming comes across as a live performance with the notes completely formed and never boomy or soft. But it the finger snapping that floored me. It is so realistically and immediately "there", floating in front of layers of that bass and Patricia's voice. Finally on "Too Rich for My Blood" that "tom-tom" drum is so deeply "hollow" you can get lost wandering around.

The soundstage amd imaging of the VR-1 would be the envy of any speaker builder and can't be critisized on any level. Finally, those female vocals are literally angelic.

The thing is, the VR-1s make anything sound good. I had 3 different amps in here and all of them sounded wonderful.

What a home run! I have to give these speakers three thumbs up for value but even at twice the price they would be contenders. Now my dilemma is I don't want to take them out of my main system!

While it's only been 5 days, I am certain these speakers will be in my system for a long, long time.


Product Weakness: ?
Product Strengths: Quality, price, imaging.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: DK Design VS-1 MkII & Bel Canto eVo2s
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): EAR 864
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Musical Fidelity Nu Vista
Speakers: VR-1
Cables/Interconnects: Empirical
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 10 x 10 x 12
Time Period/Length of Audition: 5 days
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  VH Audio  



Topic - REVIEW: VonSchweikert Audio VR-1 Speakers - EdM 15:29:50 01/8/05 ( 5)