[lextek]

I am thinking of moving to floorstanders.  These are the two I am consider Von Schweilert VR-2 and Thiel 1.6.  I have the VR-1s and love them.  They just seem to be missing that full sound, duh monitors.  Do you think the Musical Fidelity A3.2 Int. is sufficent to drive these?



Just for kicks what would I need to drive the VR-4jrs??

[meilankev]

Just for kicks what would I need to drive the VR-4jrs??

A pick-up truck???  

[lextek]

/quote]

A pick-up truck???  

I do have a Tacoma pick up.  I'm not sure how many watts it puts out per axle thogh.

[doug s.]

if ya love yer monitors, buy a pair of vmps subs, a cheap outboard s/s amp, & a marchand x-over.  not only will ya have the bass ya want, but the vr-1's will actually sound even *better*, if low-passed at 40-80hz (experiment for best sound).

a properly set-up subwoofer rig like this will improve most *any* speakers, imo.  when i 1st got my sub set-up, my "monitors" were thiel 3.5's which were -2db at 20hz.  the thiels sounded better when crossed at 70hz, *and* the bass was better.

doug s.

[Hantra]

VR-2's are quite a step up from VR-1's.  I think it's well worth the money difference.  The VR-2's I heard filled up a huge room with ease.  This was using some 40W mono Scott Nixon amps.

[doug s.]

VR-2's are quite a step up from VR-1's.  I think it's well worth the money difference.  The VR-2's I heard filled up a huge room with ease.  This was using some 40W mono Scott Nixon amps.

this may be true.  *BUT*...  my miniscule (10.5h x 6w x 9d, w/4.5" woofers) proac tablette 8 reference signatures easily fill my 26x38x8'5 room, when used w/a pair of subs.  

if lex really likes his monitors, i would bet the sub set-up option would garner best results; then monitors can always be upgraded later...

doug s.

[Luigi]

I agree with Doug S.
I know both speakers well, and have been able to swap between them.

You might find this odd, but I prefer the VR-1s. For some strange reason, when I swap back to the VR-1s from the VR-2s, there's just a bit more liveliness and vitality happening and they seem just a fraction easier to drive too (perhaps because of a simpler crossover). Maybe a case of a simple two way beating a more complex three way. Wonder what happens if you get rid of a crossover altogether.  

Anyhow, there isn't huge bass with the VR-1 but with a good amp, like the AKSA50 Nirvana Plus I'm running, you can coax a fair bit out of them. Otherwise add a sub (or pair) but remember to raise it (them) off the floor to avoid the vertical room mode, whatever the hell that is. It really does seem to make subs sound better.

The other point is, if you can avoid selling something, do so. It's preferable to enhance what you already have, if possible.

[PhilNYC]

I am thinking of moving to floorstanders.  These are the two I am consider Von Schweilert VR-2 and Thiel 1.6.  I have the VR-1s and love them.  They just seem to be missing that full sound, duh monitors.  Do you think the Musical Fidelity A3.2 Int. is sufficent to drive these?

FWIW, my father has a pair of Thiel S1.6's driven by a Rotel RSX-1065 av receiver.  If you are looking for a full sound, the S1.6 can do it, and the A3.2 Integrated should be sufficient.  (the RSX-1065 is 100wpc and does a nice job).  I've not historically been a VR-1 or VR-2 fan, tho I recently heard a system featuring the VR4jr and was duly impressed (see the tvyankee gathering in the NY Audio Rave circle)...so if I was to choose between the Thiel  and the VR2, my preference would be for the Thiels...

[Carlman]

I've heard the VR-1's and VR-4's... but not the VR-2's.  I've also heard the Usher x-718's and liked them tremendously.  So much so that I'm considering the 6311, which is a small floorstander that costs over twice as much... I'm curious to hear the difference, at least.  If you like the full sound of the Thiel and the liveliness of the VR-1, the Usher may be a good combo of both.  Just a thought.

[bixby]

I can't help on the VR2s but I was a VR4 owner for years.  I loved the low end but needed more natural mids and highs.  I bought the thiel 1.6s as an interim speaker until I found a speaker that could satisfy even more.  The Thiels are remarkable speakers.  Very natural and accurate.  They excel at detail and resolution especially at moderate levels.  They can crank but compress a bit over about 88 db or so.  I actually hooked them up to my 8 watt tube integrated and they did well at lower volumes.

Some call them bright but they only come off that way if you have a bright link in the chain or a bright room. You should try to have really good stuff in front of them.  They will  show all the chains warts.  But give it some good links in the chain and  they shine.  

Bass is good on most acoustic and natural instruments but they do let you down on electronic bass below about 50.  My in room -3db point might be around 45 if memory serves me.  Bass is clean and tight but not nearly as deep as the old VR4s.  So it just depends on how you define your need for a fuller sound.  My new candiidate is lots more expensive.

If I can offer any more input on the Thiels let me know.  

cheers
Bixby

[jym]

lex...
Have you considered adding the Von Schweikert VRS-1 subwoofer.
Link: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/archives/

If you really want to shake the plaster add two

[drphoto]

Why do Thiel's seem to elicite such a strong reaction? I mean most discussion of them of seems to be a 'love it/hate it' sort of thing.

Some say they're ruthlessly revealing and demand good upstream components, but will reward you if you have such equipment. Others seem to think they just suck.

I had a pair of the little 0.5's in grad school and thought they were great for what they were. From what I remember they did little wrong. I do remember they sounded really good at low volumes. Seems like you have to crank some speakers to get 'em going.

[lextek]

Well I decided on the Thiels.  My dealer had a used/demo pair.  It seems like just what the room needed.  They have a nice, full sound.  They are detailed, but not bright.  I have to play around with placement still.  I've been listening for a couple of CDs and am quite pleased.  My wife doesn't like the look of the outriggers.  I think I have to agree with her on that one.

[doug s.]

Well I decided on the Thiels.  My dealer had a used/demo pair.  It seems like just what the room needed.  They have a nice, full sound.  They are detailed, but not bright.  I have to play around with placement still.  I've been listening for a couple of CDs and am quite pleased.  My wife doesn't like the look of the outriggers.  I think I have to agree with her on that one.

i have always liked thiels - i am sure you will be happy.  but, when you hook them up to a pair of subs w/an active outboard crossover, they will sound even better!  

doug s.

[ctviggen]

I've also always like Thiels.  Them and Wilsons I always thought were good.  My friend, who listened to a ton of speakers for a while, has said that he's heard Thiels that sounded unbelievable and that sounded terrible.  It all depends on the rest of the system.  Whenever I heard them, I heard good stuff.

[sethk]

Thiel's been around a long time, and I wonder if people have either formed opinions based on their older speakers or second hand remarks heard about their older speakers.

Both the current 1.6 and the 2.4 are really outstanding speakers, IF (this part you may have heard and is probably true) you have a decent amp and front-end. If you prefer a veiled / dark / rolled-off sort of sound this may not be for you, but both these speakers do a great job when paired with good equipment. "Ruthlessly revealing" sounds like over-analytical, which would lean towards an exaggeration of flaws type of sound, which I don't think these speakers do, but they don't muffle the mid-range and treble to obscure defects either. Their low distortion coherent sound is very addictive, but you have to choose a sub carefully to keep up with these speakers (if you go that route) which makes a full Thiel system pretty expensive. Good amp + not cheap speakers + good front-end + possibly a really good sub = big bucks. Then again this is high-end audio.

BTW I don't own a pair of Thiels, but my local dealer sells them and a good friend has a pair of 2.4s which tempt me often. I went with Dynaudio myself.

[marvda1]

carlman please skip by the 6371's and go directly to the 6381's you will not regret.