[drubin]

I'm thinking about getting the VR-22 and have a few of questions.  I appreciate that very few have heard this new model, but thought I'd put this out to the group for comment.  (And I am talking to Albert, but I want user opinions.)

First, how does this speaker perform at low listening levels?  I do a lot of listening at low volume, particularly late at night, and I've found that not all loudspeakers are equally successful at low volume.  How is VSA in general in this regard, and the VR-22 specifically, if anyone knows?

There are some upgrades available for the VR-22, including better binding posts, Mundorf caps all around and better inductors.  I will certainly have this conversation with Albert, but I'm wondering what VSA owners think about the benefits of these upgrades and where the biggest bang for the buck comes in.

Lastly, is bi-wiring worthwhile with these new VR-series products?

[SundayNiagara]

Are they on the market, yet?

[BigSwede]

I'm fairly sure the speakers will be quite good. I had the old VR-2 (before my current VR-33), and it is an amazing full range speaker with only 6" drivers, and I would expect the VR-22 should be better in every respect based on my experience with the VR-33.

Having said that, I have found many amplifiers don't "open up" until the volume goes up. One of the things I love about my Bel Canto eVo2i is the way it never changes character with volume. So don't forget about the amp in that equation.

[JackD201]

Hmmm. I'm just guessing now by looking at the specs http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=107254.0

It's a 2-way so there will be fewer parts, particularly the air core inductors which eat up power. The woofer is tasked with all the bass duty, so that's good. Specs say 90dB/1w/1m, again being a two way with the woofer taking on the deep bass duties this makes for lower powered amps to make them sound fuller.  Specs suggest that they would do well at low listening levels, my guess would be a minimum of 50wpc of classic sounding tube gear or 100wpc of modern sounding tube or SS. The suggested 10wpc might be okay for vocals or small ensembles but might limit the selection of possible program material.

The unknown quantity is room's noise floor and the amount of boundary reinforcement which depends on room size, placement and the room's absorption, diffusion and decay characteristics. Again I'd venture to guess that in a normal sized room up to 20sq/m with typical finishing and furnishing the above amplifier power I mentioned would work. It would also work if listening nearfield I think. Larger than that or in an open plan space, I'm thinking more juice to sound "complete" with 70dB peaks or so.

Again, just guessing! 

[shmuyator]

i would be interested to find that out also. i know that my vr-2s required some cranking up.

[Albert Von Schweikert]

One of my priorities for the VR-22 was to have a very wide dynamic range, or "jump factor." This enables the speaker to sound really dynamic at low volume levels.  I feel this is a crucial factor in obtaining realism, so we made sure that every part of the design was as efficient as possible for the given bandwidth, size, and price point.  The three important factors:
a] Large magnets and light moving mass= high acceleration factor and wide dynamic range.  Tweeter is 94dB in sensitivity.
b] Crossover parts that do not absorb signal. Caps are physically large to reduce ESR (equivalent series resistances) and inductors use large gauge wire to reduce resistance.  The crossover uses only one component in series with the drivers; all other parts are shunts to ground, i.e. Zobels.
c] Cabinet is extremely heavy and inert and does not absorb energy from the drivers. The bass loading is efficient due to amplification of the rear wave by means of the large air volume and Quasi-transmission line loading.

In addition, the boundary wall loading adds another 3dB of boost from the deepest bass up to 200Hz, where most speakers drop off at low volume levels.  The first 50 customers report that the VR-22 sounds great at low volume levels!  Although the VR-22 will put out nice music with a 10-watt amp, that would be OK for chamber music, folk, and other "quiet" types of music.  We're using 50 watts per channel at the factory and that will allow us to play loud classical music without limitations.  Rock also sounds good at high volume levels, with 200 watts being optimum if you play at high levels in a large room.  This speaker will amaze you, as it doesn't sound like a typical small two way system, it sounds huge, according to customer feedback.  We hope some of the early adopters will post their impressions soon.  Greg Weaver of Positive Feedback says he is shocked by the performance of this model, especially considering that it costs a fraction of the competition!  His review will appear soon.

[JackD201]

Looks like I made some pretty good guesses ey Albert? 

[es347]

Sometimes a guy just gets lucky Jack 

[Bill Baker]

Sounds like another great hit for the VSA crew. I wish I was going to RMAF as I would like to hear this new speaker but I have some famility obbligations this year so won't be able to make it this year.

[ceedee]

Looks like the time is there for the VR25 Jack.
What do you think Albert?

Regards,

Cor

[JackD201]

Agreed Cor, why should the Americans have all the fun!   

[Albert Von Schweikert]

Hello Fellow Audiophiles,

It appears that the VR-22 is a blazing success, according to customer feedback.  We will proceed to develop the VR-25 for our US dealer base and export market.  We anticipate that the upgraded model will employ a wood veneered Triple-Wall cabinet along with a super hot-rodded crossover.  The basic VR-22 is said by several owners to have sound quality in the range of the YG Acoustics Carmel, which is a great sounding two-way system.  However, at $18,000/pr, not many of us average audiophiles can afford them.  One of our customers who has done a very unscientific comparison also thinks that the VR-22 has much deeper bass along with more 'slam' than the Carmels that he auditioned at the local dealer, so our goals appear to have been fully realized.  Of course, this was made possible by the emphasis on performance over appearance, which has lowered our manufacturing costs significantly.  By contrast, the VR-25 will be a beautiful design fabricated with luxurious wood veneers, so if your budget will allow, you will be able to acquire the sound and looks of a $20,000 pair of speakers for about half that price through a dealer.  Be looking for the VR-25 in the spring of 2013.  However, if you live in the US and want to own the best speaker you've ever heard at less than $10,000, try our 90-day loaner program on the VR-22 model.  We invite your comments after you try a pair!

Be sure to visit one of our six rooms at RMAF in Denver; we will be featuring the new VR-22, the UniField Model 2 Mk2, the VR-35 Export Deluxe, and two rooms will be using the VR-44 (one room will feature the Passive VR-44 version and the second system will feature the VR-44 Aktive).  We will also have our VR-5 Anniversary Mk2 in the sixth system.  Room partners in the six rooms are Jolida (3 rooms), KR Audio (2 rooms), Light Harmonic, Antelope Audio, and YFS Systems.  Please read the Show Guide under the Von Schweikert Audio listing to find the room numbers.  We hope to see you all there!