[magister]

Hi guys,

I haven't been here in a while but I am now thinking about a speaker upgrade.  For ten years I have owned a pair of VR IVjr's and they have served me very well.  My system has evolved quite a bit (and the jr's made it easy to hear the effects of any changes I made  ). Now I am wondering if it's time for a speaker upgrade.  My jr's are still in very good condition, as far as I know; they are in a house that is used weekends and summers, so they don't have as many hours on them as they would if they were used every day of the week.

The main issue is that I need speakers that can go close to a wall and that can function (with proper setup) in an oddly shaped room.  My room is 11 x 12', but there are large pocket doors (normally left open) on two sides and a smaller door on the third side.  The speakers sit in a bay window.

I'm thinking about VR-33's, but would welcome any suggestions, either VS or other brands.  How do the VR-33's compare to the IV jr's?  I know the 33's can be put against a wall (according to the VS website) but do they work well in non-symmetrical setups?  Can you bi-amp them?  I had never bi-amped until fairly recently, and this worked out very well with the jr's.

I want to get a noticeable upgrade from the jr's (and that is a fairly tall order) without spending a fortune.  I know, I want it all . . . $5000, ideally less, maybe a little more if I was really convinced.  I value a natural sound; nothing overly bright or overly analytical, please.  I listen mainly to acoustic music (classical, folk, jazz) with a little rock and pop thrown in for good measure.

System:
sources - SOTA Sapphire turntable, PS Audio NuWave Phono Converter, PS Audio PerfectWave DAC Mk II
amplification - conrad-johnson Premier 17 line stage, Golden Tube SE-40 (driving the mid/upper units) and NAD 275CE (driving the bass)
power - dedicated lines, Shunyata power conditioners

Thanks for any suggestions!

[gammajo]

Others may disagree but I think you have a chance at great sound with a pair of VR4Sr's used, if you use Marigo Audio tuning dots (which dissipate sound very well) on the windows behind the speakers. The SR's are front ported and I have found in my room with glass behind and the dots, that the SR's operate well from inches away from the wall to two feet from back of speaker to wall. I actually use a removable dog bed from Staples no less (6 inches dense memory foam in sheepskin like cotton cover by 3 feet by 2 feet) standing on end at height of tweeters between the speakers to get a more defined sound stage. But the bass is not effected much by distance from wall with the SR's (just a touch more weight and a touch less defined as your approach the wall).  In this configuration, sound stage depth may be a bit lessened but width, instrument placement, is fine and the resulting sound is natural and involving. I heard the excellent JR's right before I got my SR's and loved them - yet the SR's were even better and have the natural sound you desire and can be biamped.
Hope this helps

[BigSwede]

I can't answer many of your questions, but I'll throw in a few thoughts that might be helpful.

I'm thinking about VR-33's, but would welcome any suggestions, either VS or other brands.  How do the VR-33's compare to the IV jr's?I have not heard the IV Jrs, cannot comment.

I know the 33's can be put against a wall (according to the VS website) but do they work well in non-symmetrical setups?
My VR-33s are 9" from the wall, 8-9" seems to be the most common distance people have settled on from what I have heard. As for symmetricality, my situation is symmetrical so I cannot comment.

Can you bi-amp them?  I had never bi-amped until fairly recently, and this worked out very well with the jr's.
Standard configuration of the VR-33 has one set of binder posts. But my understanding is upon request VSA can build you a set that is bi-ampable, possibly a small upcharge is involved.

I value a natural sound; nothing overly bright or overly analytical, please. 
I would say you are describing the VR-33 to a T!

I listen mainly to acoustic music (classical, folk, jazz) with a little rock and pop thrown in for good measure.
I have a friend who is a professional bassoonist. She has commented how great my speakers sound, even when she thought I couldn't hear her. 

[Charles Calkins]

magister

 Have you thought about having your speakers upgraded by AVS? I had my VR4-HSE's upgraded a few years ago. Cost about $3,000. REALLY!!! big improvement. Give them a call. Maybe they can do something for your speakers.

                                                                               Cheers
                                                                                Charlie