Speaker Asylum: Re: Boston Acoustics VR-M50 Speakers by Don H.

Hi,

I also noticed that the CR-8s seem to have a hump in the lower bass. For example a kick drum would have a pretty solid thump but you would miss the upper harmonics of the kick. I found that this made the CR-8s a little thin as far as bass is concerned. I only really noticed this when I had my sub turned off. This does not seem to be a problem with the VR-M50. There hve been times I had the sub off a did not even notice at first. Not that they were producing earth shaking bass but the bass they were producing sounded very full. Even though the VR-M50 is only rated down to 59Hz I would take it's bass over the CR-8s.

As far as imaging the CR-8 seems to have a much better off-axis response. I had the CR-8s toed-in maybe 10 to 15 degrees and was getting a very strong center image. When I got the VR-M50 I had the same amount of toe-in and was getting a very fuzzy center image and a rolled off high end. After hours of playing with placement I found that they need to be toed in almost all the way.

I would say the biggest advantage the VR-M50 has over the CR-8 is that it seems to have a much higher resolution. For example reverb has a longer and more natural decay. You get a more "you are there" feeling with the VR-M50 due to it's higher resolution. This has alot to do with the tweeter and their AMD system. If I had to give a rating to each of these speakers out of 10 (in a sub $1000 catagory) I would give the CR-8 a 7 and the VR-M50 a 9 (9 because maybe there is something better that I have not gotten the chance to hear). Hope this helps!