[Delacroix]

OK, maybe my last prompt was buried under an older topic, so let me ask anew in its own topic: What question would you like Albert?

Now, some more detail. In the inaugural issue of HiFi Zine, I interviewed Albert about his work and thoughts on the industry. The interview received many hits. It was so much fun that Albert agreed to do a follow-on and the idea of inviting questions from you all (AC ) was considered a good way to go. So, if you had a chance to ask the man himself one question, what would it be? Let me know and I'll try to incorporate it into the next round.

Lets go.

[msm_1]

Hi

I think my biggest question would be in what sources, does he use when designing speakers?

I am a huge analog lover and collect for the music side but also as an investment, thus it has always had me thinking this question.

In testing, is it more digital, computer, or analog sourcing? Or another way that he comes up with the sound?

 It's funny when you think of a pair of speakers and work backwards, through the speaker cables to the amps to the interconnects into the Pre into interconnects and then source, and if anolog then there is cartridges....etc!
And when you think of all the choices in these and how many overall changes in the sound can be made by changing just one out of ...what,.....maybe hundreds of different equipment manufacturers!

The thought boggles the mind!!

So it really makes designing speakers an art

Thanks

Mike

[es347]

OK Albert, why did you guys name your band "The Ravens"?  What was your electric guitar and amp?  Did you treat your amp cabinet with Shakti stone? 

[stong]

Hi guys,

I copy part of Albert's interview here pertaining with the VSA cables.

I got a loan pair of VSA Signature Speaker's cable for home trial and am amazed by its 3 dimensional sound stage,low bass response, voice clarity, lively music and many more ,while playing vinyl and cd with my VR-4 SR3. It is an excellence speaker cable indeed !!

And 2 days ago, I got hold of another pair of VSA Signature Model-"Reference" Speakers cable ,on home loan (2 pairs now). Lucky me ya ? Here is some question:-

1)how many type of VSA Speakers cable were made?
2)what is the different between "Signature" and "Signature Reference"?
3)Is "Master-Built" just a name for these speakers?
4)how to identify a "Standard" , "Signature" or "Signature Reference"?
 since nothing were imprint on the cables itself.

That's my questions, I guess some of you can reply.

Thank you.

Regards.

[PD – VSA cables have caused quite a Net buzz but seem hard to find. What can we expect from VSA in this area?
AVS – We’re still in the “beta testing phase,” where we’re sending cables to reviewers and very serious audiophiles for evaluation. Before we release the cables officially on our website, we need to make certain that our cables are indeed one of the better cables around, not “just another cable.” So far, two reviewers and about 35 customers have told us that the cables exceed their expectations and have something unique to offer the audiophile. As our “Master-Built” cable customers have discovered, that quality is “noise reduction” and generation of a three-dimensional sound stage based on elimination of distortion caused by improper geometric placement of the positive and negative conductors in “standard” cables. Our cables were developed by a NASA scientist who worked for Delphi Aerospace, and have 8 patents pending on the materials and physical construction of the cables. Although our cables are somewhat expensive, they are several times less expensive than the most famous cables that our cables outperform. Be watching our website over the next few months for the “official” introduction of the cables].

[JackD201]

Here's something I've been trying to figure out for a long time.

If you stand directly behind any VR series speaker, you will see the famous ambience tweeter and if you're deeling with 9s or 11s just the subs.

My question is, how in heck does Albert manage to create balanced full range sound behind the speakers when there is just that tweeter back there? 

[Delacroix]

Keep 'em coming.....remember, this is for an interview that others will read so questions that have broader interest to multiple owners and interested audiophiles will move to the fore...and any that get left out can be passed on for direct answer here, I hope.

[CGull]

 I love my VR-33's they far exceed my expectations how well they perform close to the wall. Saying that is Ablert planning to use what he has learned from this design for any other speakers? I would love to see him build a model based on it but down sized. My VR-33 are perfect in my family room but would be to big for our living room says the wife. So if everything was made smaller with an 8 inch or 6.5 woofer rear firing woofer and include wall mounts so it's 3 inchs from the wall, a smaller model could add up to be the perfect flat screen tv speaker.

[shmuyator]

what i would love for VS to design is a largish 3-way booshelf in the vain of PMC/ATC/HARBETH with 8 inch woofer (or bigger). i found that VS speakers go low, but they just dont push as much air as i would like.

[JackD201]

I love my VR-33's they far exceed my expectations how well they perform close to the wall. Saying that is Ablert planning to use what he has learned from this design for any other speakers? I would love to see him build a model based on it but down sized. My VR-33 are perfect in my family room but would be to big for our living room says the wife. So if everything was made smaller with an 8 inch or 6.5 woofer rear firing woofer and include wall mounts so it's 3 inchs from the wall, a smaller model could add up to be the perfect flat screen tv speaker.

Once upon a time there was this

http://www.vonschweikert.com/product_sheets/z_vsa_vsx_lit_sheet.pdf

Keith has a set shown in the gallery thread

[es347]

Since 1957?  Albert was about 11.  Now that's what I'd call a child prodigy 

[Delacroix]

Last call, before I start sending Albert the next interview questions.....

[Antoine]

I have some. Why does Albert make so many (as he calls them) "running production changes"? Essentially no two speakers that leave the factory in Murrieta are the same 'so to speak' even in the more expensive models like the VR5. Another question related to the first: why do the MK I, II and III designations follow up on each other so quickly?

I think both things confuse customers plus dealers/importers/distributors. It also hurts second hand sales making Von Schweikert a relative unwise "investment" compared to other brands like Wilson, Kharma and even Usher. Ofcourse upgrades are offered by Von Schweikert Audio but they are quite expensive. Especially for non-American citizens that live abroad and have to pay expensive airfreight costs. Isn't VSA (regarding this issue) too focussed on their home market?

[jazzcourier]

As an owner of the VS VR-7 circa 2004? [ or so]  i will confine my dozen questions to the single question requested...
The supplied spec sheet lists the recommended power "10 watts up to 600 peak watts".....my room is 20 x 14 with the speakers about 7 feet apart 4 feet from the back wall,and about 20 inches or so from each side wall. the listening position is about 5-6 feet from the front wall. The ceiling is 8 feet...... What is the ideal power amp wattage to drive these beauties into sonic blossom?  Can you please focus on 1] tubes amps -stereo 2] solid state amps-also in stereo,and the differences therein to power these lovelies and make them sing like the angels they are.  Thank you !   Ok..I am going to sneak one in here ....when i bought these from Manny, and he demoed them, i noticed a framed glass print in the center of the back wall,this seems to fly in the face of usual acoustical treatment philosophies and is thought of as a no no for reflections. When i brought these home the first thing i did upon initial listening was start taking down wall treatments in that very position...I think we could all benefit from some comments on this aspect of speaker performance. Just consider it one long question.  Thanks!