[byteme]

Hello,

As the topic says, I'm in the market.  My main contender right now is the Odyssey Lorelie.

However, given that the $2500 area is littered with well reviewed and excellent speakers I decided to look around a bit.  Turns out you really can't do a search for this kind of info without turning up something about VMPS.  I've considered them before but never heard them.

I'd be looking at the RM-1 or RM-2.  Can anyone compare or contrast for me?  Why would you choose either of these again if you could or why wouldn't you?  Or even why I should be considering either of these speakers.

Thanks!

brian.

[grub]

I'd recommend the RM-1 Neos.  Great speakers for the money in my opinion.  In fact, they replaced my Legacy Classics--not bad for a speaker that's half the price.

I think what I like most about these speakers is the precise imaging and punchy bass.  I know that the RM-1 doesn't have the extention of the RM-2, but it's still got a good toe tap factor.  They seem to love power, and really sing when they're cranked.  I have the older, bone stock setup (I guess that's what I get for finding out about VMPS shortly after they switched to the neo panels), now they've done some re-working of the RM-1 elevating it's performance.  I think they've got a megawoofer option now, the high energy tweeter, as well as the auricaps, or TRT cap upgrade if you want to get crazy.
Even with all the options, this little floorstander would be worth the money, and embarrass many other more expensive brands of speaker.

I hope that was somewhat informative ; )
-->grub

[John Casler]

Hello,

As the topic says, I'm in the market.  My main contender right now is the Odyssey Lorelie.

However, given that the $2500 area is littered with well reviewed and excellent speakers I decided to look around a bit.  Turns out you really can't do a search for this kind of info without turning up something about VMPS.  I've considered them before but never heard them.

I'd be looking at the RM-1 or RM-2.  Can anyone compare or contrast for me?  

While I won't attempt to compare or contrast since I have not heard the Lorelie, I can give you a little guidance as far as the VMPS selection you might consider.

Now keep in mind I am posting "list" prices, which any dealer can give you slight price breaks on.

Your Selection looks like this:

626R - $1598 add $400 for the FST tweeter and $550 for the Auric Cap upgrade.  This is an incredible performer with a 6" megawoofer, single Neopanel and (stock) spriral ribbon tweeter.  Placed well, this speaker will blow you away with soundstage, frequncy response, and sonic purity.  Total list on that upgrade configuration is $2548

RM1 - $1580 base price, with the same upgrades, gives you a floor stander at $2530

RM1a - $1780 This is the RM1 with the 10" Megawoofer from the RM40.  With the FST and Auric Caps, the list is $2730

RM2 - $2690 This is a very serious speaker and has full range capabiity and power beyond much of the class.  It sports two Neopanels, two spiral ribbon tweeters and a 12" Megawoofer and 12" Passive Radiator to take the bass response down to 22Hz.

With the FST Tweeter it lists for $3090, but as I said through your favorite dealer it will be in your price limits.

Hope that helps give you a range of what is available from Brian and Company.

[kana813]

Suggest you check out the speaker listings, discussions and reviews
over at audiogon.com.There's alot of speakers in this price
range other than VMPS.

[warnerwh]

Something that should be said is that the whole line has excellent, if not outstanding value for it's price.  If you have any way to listen to them you should because if you buy something else and then hear a VMPS speaker you'll wished you had.  Brian is truly an outstanding speaker designer and you'll see/hear why this companies speakers have received so much raving feedback.  Also customer support is no less than excellent.  I'll most likely be on my third different set of speakers from this company since 96 by next year sometime.  Go listen to some B&W's that  list at 8 grand and then go listen to some RM 40's that list at 4600.  You'll wonder how anybody could  choose the B&W, it's no contest from top to bottom or in any other comparison someone may want to make. No offense to B&W owners as they obviously never heard the VMPS's before they paid nearly double the money.  One last point I like about VMPS speakers is that the bass is real and it's accurate, no pretend bass here like most other speakers.

[nathanm]

But the ribbon mids are beamy aren't they, compared to cone drivers?  VMPS are sit-in-your-chair-and-like-it kind of speakers, am I right?  Just curious.

[Marbles]

I have heard both the Lorelie and the RM2 in my system.  

I own the RM40's.

To me both the speakers he asked about are on about the same level.
They both sound different, but are on the same level.

Bytme you should really try to listen to both of them to see which you prefer.

I will say if you can swing a little more $$$ and can afford a pair of used RM40's, than you will be rewarded with speakers at a much higher level than the ones you asked about.

If you go VMPS, the FST tweeter makes a big difference IMO.

Good luck.

[warnerwh]

Marbles: How's the bass on the Lorelei?  I can't imagine the Lorelei sounding as good top to bottom as the RM 2 but have not heard the Lorelei.  Brian's bass designs and performance are usually killer for the money class and to me the sound isn't right without it.  I guess it's a personal choice.

[Marbles]

The bass of the Lorelie does not go down as deep as the RM2..it does go to the low 30's though (at a -3) and has plenty of output...as much as I could handle.

The draw back to the RM2 is if you are too close, the woofer does not integrate well with the midrange panels IMO. Also the Lorelies have much better WAF. The sweetspot is bigger etc..

The RM2's have a more transparent midrange and lower extension on bass.

I would as mentioned above rate them on the same level.

To take it one step further, the 9.0's, Lorelies and RM2's are on the same level as well. I know two people who owned both the 9.0's and RM2's.

One liked the RM2's better (Xi-trum), the other one sold his Rm2's (ladydog) and kept his 9.0's. It all comes down to personal preference.

I happened to like the Lorelie just a tad better than my 9.0, until I had the 9.0's rewired and I jacked up the back legs to make the baffle more on axis with my ears.

As always, YMMV

[byteme]

The bass of the Lorelie does not go down as deep as the RM2..it does go to the low 30's though (at a -3) and has plenty of output...as much as I could handle.

The draw back to the RM2 is if you are too close, the woofer does not integrate well with the midrange panels IMO. Also the Lorelies have much better WAF. The sweetspot is bigger etc..

The RM2's have a more transparent midrange and lower extension on bass.

I would as mentioned above rate them on the same level.

To take it one step furt ...

marbles, and everyone else, thanks!

One question - how close is too close for proper integration?  I'm back approximately 9 - 10 feet.  These speakers will also need to do double duty for HT and two channel.  How are the RM2's for HT?

Ok, that was two - now here's #3    You mentioned the RM2 & Lorelie have a different sound.  Could you elaborate?  Is one or the other more musical, emotional, involving, detialed??

Thanks

[Marbles]

marbles, and everyone else, thanks!

One question - how close is too close for proper integration?  I'm back approximately 9 - 10 feet.  These speakers will also need to do double duty for HT and two channel.  How are the RM2's for HT?

That should be good on the integration, and I would guess that the RM2's would be GREAT for HT.

The reason I would say "guess" is I did not hear them that way, but IMO they would really make great HT speakers.  It is also my opinion that should you want a wider sweetspot, MAKE SURE YOU GET THE FST!

You did not ask about the 626R's.  IMO the 626's and the RM40's are the real performers of the VMPS line (I'm sure the Elixers are the absolute best of the line though).  If you ever consider an almost full range monitor and sub setup, that would be one I could highly recomend.

[byteme]

OK, this does sound interesting and I'd like to give them a listen.  Is there anyone in the area (greater Milwaukee) that has the 40's RM's or 626R's that would allow me in their house for an hour or two?