Is this the modern version of a Monitor 10?

Flash21

Von Schweikert Audio VR-2 loudspeakers

The design is claimed to have very tight yet extended bass response, and boy, do the VR-2s produce just that! The bass of these speakers is just incredible. The quoted frequency response is 25Hz to 25kHz, -3dB. This is exceptionally good low-end response, and absolutely remarkable for a loudspeaker that uses two 6½-inch drivers. I was astounded at the depth of bass they could produce.

Does that sound sorta familiar, you 10/10B owners?

I note they have the drivers aligned vertically, getting rid of that nasty side-by-side imaging "problem" the Monitor 10s allegedly have...

$3K, but I wonder what the $600 I paid in 1985 for my 10Bs is worth today...

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue25/vr2.htm

buttdad

I too wonder what a speaker equal to what the 10b was 20 years ago, would cost today. My new bride was understanding of the cabinets when they were part of my bachelor pad. Now that we have a "real" living room I have to consider the fact that smaller cabinets are in order, moslty due to space limitations.
Is there anyone out there that replaced 10b's with anything close. I would love to hear about trying to replace such a solid speaker.

Loud & Clear

Replacing the SL2000s with the silks will make that job all the more difficult, imo, as they then become a hell of a nice sounding pair of speakers - top to bottom.

Flash21

I wouldn't mind auditioning the above-mentioned VR-2s, but I'm not in any hurry to do so. I can certainly find other things to do with the $2000 it would take to buy them even if I prefer them over the 10Bs...

halo

How the heck did I miss this thread

I've owned Monitor 10A's with Peerless tweeters, 10B's with SL2000's, Monitor 11's with Peerless tweeters, RTA 11T's, RTA 15TL's (both RTA's started with the stock tweeters and were then upgraded to the new RDO silk domes), and I now own the VR-2's.

There is no comparison between the vintage Polk's I've owned and the Von Shweikert VR-2's. The VR-2's are, by far (in every aspect), a superior pair of speakers. Yes - they cost a bit more (there is over a 20 year difference in age between the original Monitor 10's and the Von's) but IMHO the VR-2's are worth every red cent. You can find good deals on Audiogon.

If there is a dealer local to you that carries these you owe it to yourself to go check them out. While you're there check out the VR-4jr's too

fyi - I also demo'd Carver ALS's, Polk Audio SDA SRS 2's, AR-4xa's, AR-2ax's and I still feel the VR-2's are better speakers.

Flash21

Cool, I was hoping (but not expecting) that someone with direct experience would chime in.

I don't doubt at all that the VR-2s are a superior speakers. I think speakers in general have advanced greatly, especially in value for the $$, since the mid 80s when I bought my 10Bs. It just caught my eye that it uses two 6.5" drivers for mid/bass like the 10Bs (though the VR-2 drivers are not identical at all, other than size) , and yet produces prodigious bass.

I emailed Von Schweikert last week about local dealers in the Minneapolis area, haven't heard back. I already checked the website of the two high end shops in town, no joy. There is an on-line "dealer" that is selling VR-2s for $1900, less than 30 miles from me, but I am pretty sure they don't have a showroom.

Flash21

Well now you've gone and done it, Halo ...I came across a smoking deal on VR-2s, dealer demos w/warranty for $1375 shipped (MSRP $3000)...I couldn't resist. They will be here in a few days...:cool:

THEY BETTER BE GOOD!
But for that price I couldn't see how I could go wrong.

halo

Nice snag bro!

Happy you will be

What finish did you get them in?

Just remember that these are tweakable. The placement, adding lead shot, taking out or adding polyfill, and last but not least, the rear ambiance driver adjustment. The owners manual gives excellent advise for proper set up. You're going to have fun getting them just right! (link #1) (link #2)

What are you going to be driving them with? IMHO tube gear > SS really makes them shine.

Flash21

They are the African Hazelwood finish.

The tweaking will be interesting...hopefully I don't have to have them too far from the wall. Small house I have...

I will be driving with a Bel Canto eVo2i. FWIW the salesman at the dealer (a highly respected and nationally renowned audio dealer, by all accounts) felt that would be a good match for the VR-2s. He also mentioned they don't like square rooms and can get boomy...but my living room is nicely rectangular.

I am a little nervous - new speakers after 21 years of the Monitor 10Bs...hope I can deal with it!

halo

Beautiful finish - same as mine

Your worries, I predict, will go out the window shortly after you fire them up - even without proper placement.

Just read the instructions :eek:

Flash21

Yeah...being a blues/rock guy, one of the things I always liked about the 10Bs was their dynamic presentation. Although all the reviews of the VR-2 I have seen are highly favorable and discuss a number of attributes that I also admire in a speaker, none have really addressed this quality...but neither have they addressed a lack thereof, so maybe it is a non-issue.

[EDIT]I just noticed this contained in a review:

I hesitate to label any good loudspeaker a great "rock" or "pop" speaker, because it suggests that the loudspeaker is somehow deficient in more subtle genres such as classical vocals, chamber music or jazz, and the VR-2 performs admirably in such music. But I do suspect that a reader whose tastes run primarily to popular music may especially enjoy the VR-2's energetic, upfront (not aggressive!) presentation.

halo

Did you get these yet? Keep us posted

Flash21

They have arrived at my office; I will be taking them home tonight.

Early B.

I'm also very interested in your review of these speakers. Right now they are #1 on my "Eventually Wanna Buy Them" list.

Flash21

Heh, I am still cringing at the expense, even though they are not that expensive by audiophile standards...even though I have had the same speakers for 21 years and am "due"...even though they were a very good deal on by all accounts a great speaker...even though I am single and don't have anybody to gainsay me...

I guess it is just my fiscally conservative Scandinavian upbringing inflicting these guilt pangs. :rolleyes:

I'll let y'all know how they sound out of the box, without proper positioning or mass loading...might even need more break in, they are estimated to have about a hundred hours on them. But it'll be fun to see how they sound anyway...

Flash21

Got the VR-2s running last night...shortly before the rechargeable remote for my integrated amp ran out of juice, making volume adjustments a real pain.

Some very general first impressions, without any attempt to find the sweet spot referred to in the manual: Very smooth but detailed tweeters, much more open sounding tnan the Monitor 10Bs. They do still sound a little reticent, but probably deserve some break-in before judging. Still a question if they can match the 10Bs slam of a kick drum etc. The bass does go quite low, not lacking in depth, just wondering about impact more than anything.

Keeping in mind, no mass loading or spikes were used. For some reason, the spikes didn't make the shipment...

I listened for a bit without the ambience tweeters engaged. Boy do those things open up the soundstage when active.

halo

I'm glad to hear there are some things you are enjoying over the 10's. Maybe it's my room's acoustics, system synergy, or whatever but I felt the bass response of the VR-2's was way ahead of any pair of Polk's I've owned.

Mine aren't mass loaded or optimumly placed either.

Flash21

Hmmm, bass has never been lacking in my 10Bs...One test I use is an album from a Swedish/Finnish group called Gjallarhorn, they use a very large drum of some kind on some of their songs that is an acid test for speaker bass (and electronics as well). The 10Bs nail it convincingly. Another test is the depth charges from the movie U-571, which they rattle the house in convincing fashion.

So the VR-2 bass actually has a demanding standard to live up, for me at least. But I can already tell it has a nice, full range, which is a good start.

Joey_V

What do you mean by reticent, Flash?

Flash21

Well they just were a little flat, not so dynamic...a sound I associate with needing break-in. In fact last night I only had about 2 minutes to listen after several hours of playing at volume (without me in the room) but they sound much more relaxed and open, and a bigger soundstage. Maybe tonight I can fit in some dedicated listening time and find out for sure.

Flash21

Wow! Amazing what a few hours of break-in will do...the VR-2s have improved dramatically. When I first got them they were decent but not particularly exciting. Last night I made the mistake of sitting down for a brief listen before bed, and before I knew it I was late for bed [yawn].

The soundstage has blossomed, and I almost felt like I was wearing headphones. To test the bass I played that Gjallarhorn album with the big-**** drum, and they did very well. The Monitor 10Bs might still have a very slight edge on reproducing that drum, but I am convinced the VR-2s need more break in to be fully evaluated, even though they are dealer demos that had some time on them already. At the very least I was breaking in the woofers quickly with that recording...

Wish I could leave them on all day while I am at work, but that would be hard on the dog...

halo

Flash21 wrote:

Wish I could leave them on all day while I am at work, but that would be hard on the dog...

VS reccomends loud rock music for break in - 400 hours worth :eek: I've heard that it's good to leave the TV or stereo on when a pet is home alone. Supposed to make them feel like someone is there with them and they are less prone to seperation axiety.

Flash21

Heh, I'm sure the dog wouldn't mind quiet music, but incessant "loud rock music" seems a little harsh. Her bed is right in line with one of the speakers...

I was told they had maybe 100 hours on them (I wonder why the dealer wouldn't break in demo speakers fully?), but just in the 10 hours or so that I have run them they have changed quite a bit.

jdhdiggs

Invert the phaase between the speakers and have them face eachother, that should limit the volume spillover.