[JackD201]

ROBERT HARLEY ON T.H.E. SHOW NEWPORT’S HIGHLIGHTS
Show report


Von Schweikert Audio VR-100XS Loudspeaker

Von Schweikert Audio hasn’t had much success demonstrating its flagship VR-100XS loudspeaker ($140,000) at the last few shows; the sound has been plagued by problems. For this Newport show, Albert Von Schweikert vowed to take complete control over the playback system and setup so that listeners could hear the speaker’s potential. It was worth the effort; the VR-100XS was magnificent, and one of the show’s musical highlights. Despite being in a standard-sized hotel room, the VR-100XS had extremely smooth and extended bass, with none of the typical bottom-end colorations. This is likely the result of the dual outboard bass drivers that operate differently from conventional subwoofers. Designed to be placed behind the listener, these modules “pressurize” the room with low frequencies. In addition to terrific bass, the VR-100XS had stunning transparency, resolution, and articulation through the entire spectrum. Driven by Constellation electronics (Centaur monoblocks, Virgo II preamp) and an Esoteric CD/SACD player, the VR-100XS was magnificent. This appears to be a world-class loudspeaker.

Best Sound (cost no object)
The Von Schweikert VR-100XS (Constellation electronics), Magico Q7 (VAC electronics, Synergistic Research, Scott Walker Audio), Polymer Audio Research MKX-S (FM Acoustics electronics), and Wilson Alexia (Constellation electronics) topped my list.

Robert Harley
Editor
The Absolute Sound

[rbbert]

I was very happy listening to the VR100XS (only 3 piece at this venue) at T.H.E. Show, the first time I have enjoyed hearing VSA speakers at a show.  It's kind of too bad Harley lumps them with the other three systems, because none of them sounded that good; there were many others at the show better (but not necessarily better than the VR100XS).

[JackD201]

Hi rbbert,

I really wanted to make the show since I was already in California. Did you meet up with the gang at Steve's?

[rbbert]

You didn't see me in the picture?   

post #844
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?10535-Doctor-s-Orders-Part-Two-The-New-Listening-Room-Of-Steve-Williams/page85

[JackD201]

I missed that page! Looks like you guys had a great time. Nice to be able to put a face to the name rbbert. Hope to meet you next year!

[Holli82]

I attended the show.  I went to the Magico and Wilson rooms along with the Von Schweikert room.  I can say that the VR-100's were far superior.  As a Von Schweikert owner, I know I am biased but this wasn't close. Great job Albert!

[JackD201]

Rodney, you were there too! Dang it!!!!!

Did you drive? 

[Holli82]

I was there and had a great time.  Manny and I spent a little time exercising those babies after Albert left for the day......Can you say "The Wall?".  Of course, we warmed up with a little Dire Straits.

I drove to the show.  Only 3.5 hours from my house.  I spent an hour in the TSA line this morning for another trip, so making the drive was a no-brainer.

[JackD201]

Too bad there's such a thing as speed limits. I bet you could have made it in an hour. 

[Dimfer]

looks like none of the guys at WBF noticed the VSA room as I cannot recall any mention of it there

[es347]

WBF VSA fans are few and far between..

[JackD201]

There a quite a few lurkers that are solid vsa fans. I know because I personally know them.

Most are just too busy listening to music  to log on sites like we do 

[es347]

Agree but not so sure that many visit WBF.  There's a ton of Magico and Wilson kool aiders however.. 

[gammajo]

Albert - so glad Robert H got a chance to hear them set up well and gave such a glowing report. Interesting choice of front end.

[Albert Von Schweikert]

Hello Fellow Audiophiles,

I finally had the opportunity to do a show using my own personal setup technique.  Most of the time, other room share partners want to try this and that and no one has control over the final sound.  This time I didn't let that happen, as I had learned my lesson from the California Audio Show, Axpona, and RMAF, where room partners took over and couldn't agree on how the speakers "should" sound.  So, the sound was mediocre at best, but that wasn't the fault of the speaker system!

Neil Gador, another TAS reviewer, had this to say about our room:


"Four years in the making,  Von Schweikert Audio presented the finished prototype of its statement loudspeaker, the towering VR-100XS Universe. When fully deployed the $140,000 twenty driver system includes two outboard subwoofer modules (sans woofers in this demo) and built-in room bass correction. In the smallish room that the system was demonstrated  power was provided by Constellation monoblocks and Esoteric playback. The sense of ease and transparency sweeping through the soundspace from Ray Brown’s Soular Energy disc was as persuasive as it gets with fast transient response, zero edge distortion and a piano sound that was both harmonically sweet and extended top end. Brown’s bass was drum tight and pitch perfect. A speaker that brings the  fireworks and the finesse to music reproduction."

We sold two pairs of the VR-100XS at Newport, so we must have done something right!

Happy Listening,

Albert Von Schweikert

[es347]

Neil could have been describing my lowly MAC/VR5 Anniversary system 

[FireGuy]

Neil could have been describing my lowly MAC/VR5 Anniversary system 

Love the vitange look of the Mac's and of course the dog.

[gammajo]

Great comment by Niel as well - perhaps TAS will do a full review on the system - that would be cool!