VR-4 JR "Euro Mod" Mk3 Loudspeaker Upgrade

musicelb · « **on:** 26 Aug 2009, 04:24 am »

Hi. I am one of the lucky few to have had this absolutely wonderful upgrade already done with my original VR-4JR's. I am sure that this ''"Mk3" level upgrade would be also awesome for the VR-4 JR Mark 2's as well. The sound quality is simply amazing! I probably only have less than seven days of break in on them and they just sound incredible. They have a lot more break in to do and they just keep sounding better and better. The upgrade includes all new European Scanspeak drive units, new crossovers, and major internal cabinet modifications. The walls of the speakers are the new triple layer antivibrational design that Albert is starting to use with all of his speakers. There is a white paper article about this that he posted on this forum. Part of the triple layers is Shakti stone. Wow!
One of the first things that I listened to on the"Mk3''s was the Four Seasons with my favorite violinist, Gil Shahan. As with the original VR-4jr's, the violin solos floated in air and were incredible, but even more so. The orchestra sounded even more full bodied and the lows were very dynamic and precise. On the 5th or 6th movement a harpsichord starts playing. On the originals the harpsichords was kind of lost in the mix and I would tire and turn off the music. But when I listened to that part of the music with the harpsichord on the new Mk3 version, it sounded like there was a real harpsichord, sitting in the back of the room playing live! It absolutely blew me away! I felt like I could reach out and touch it!
With the "MK3"s, cymbals sound fuller, cleaner, crisper and just deliciously so much better. The lows are deeper and much more defined, with no bloating. They are very clear. The only thing that vibrates is my listening room, not the speakers. They are solid. And of course the midrange is also absolutely outstanding! As Albert put it, "The volume level can now be tuned up much higher with a truly exciting" live" sound in abundance." You can play these very loud and they still sound very clear. There is a great new double live CD by Leonard Cohen, "Live in London". He has an exceptionally great band with him. I was listening to this pretty loud and was thinking this is great, but I wasn't quite as involved with the music as I had hoped for. I decided to turn it up one more notch. Wow! They were in the room. It was very intimate and very moving! These speakers are very moving!
The imaging is even more incredible than with the originals. A lot of times, especially with instrumental solos, with great speakers like these I can almost see the different notes in space as if it is a sculpture in music. I love it! An example would be listening to Mozart with the great pianist Richard Goode playing. The notes are ingeniously structured in space to where you can almost see and touch them. While listening to Chick Corea on piano together with Gary Burtan on vibes in some parts, it sounds as if you are watching fireworks in sound. So in other words the incredibly clear imaging with the "Mk3"s is very outstanding and involving.
The improvements on the "Mk3"s are simply remarkable! It's like an extra illuminating light has been turned on in the soundstage of the speakers, not in a bright way, but in an alive way! It is very very well worth looking into the "Mk3" upgrade! I could go on and on about the speakers, but I'm not a very fast typist and it is late. I over the top recommend these! Thanks for reading...Edward

musicelb · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Aug 2009, 09:55 pm »

I have just edited my previous post for clarification purposes. So please if you read my post before 5:40 Eastern time on Wednsday (today), please read my newer edited version which is clearer. Thank You...Edward

Just to be very clear, I originally wrote,'The only thing that vibrates are the walls.' What I meant by that was the walls of my listening room, not the speakers.

gabweb · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 07:49 am »

Hi

How much cost the upgrade from VR4jr to MK3? How long it takes?
I presume that is not cheap (although worth the money as you described) and take a while (they almost build a new speaker including: new European Scanspeak drive units, new crossovers, and major internal cabinet modifications The walls of the speakers are the new triple layer )
Why you called it "Euro Mod" to this upgrade/modification?

Thank you and enjoy your new speakers

gman · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Aug 2009, 02:46 pm »

Is this an upgrade offered by Von Schweikert?

musicelb · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Aug 2009, 05:49 pm »

Hi. Yes, the "Mk3" upgrade is offered through Von Schweikert Audio. So, it does need to be sent back in to VSA to have it done. There is no VSA dealer near me, so I dealt with them directly. I'm am sure that your dealer could help with this also. It took mine about ten days to have it done, but I am sure that it depends on how busy they are. You'll have to talk to VSA about the price. I do think though, that the total price of the total brand new models that will be coming out will be around $7500 (I don't know for sure.). So obviously going with the upgrade to your existing VR-4JR will be the much cheaper way to go. And with the upgrade, you will end up with the same wonderful speaker as the total brand new ones that will be coming out! I think that they are called the "Euro Mod" because the all new Scanspeak speakers are all made in Europe. Thanks...Edward

RC Driver · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 11:16 pm »

My VR-4JR Mk3 is one of the first which Mr. Von Schweikert has done in June of this year.
When I have received these ones I listened the great potential of this speakers but the break-in period is really long. Only after 3 – 3,5 month the all drivers have started working good. This is in according of the manual – app. 200 hours. But the sound after break-in is incredible!!
My room is not so big ~20 sq.m. And these LS for my room is the ideal!
But the main plus of these LS is different.
This unit is greatest flexible tool in the hand of your system.
I have a very good CDP Teac Esoteric X-01 D2.
OK! If your amp is McIntosh 402 you have the real Mac’ sound with the wide American soul (and Russian too)!
If I connect tube’ AN Conquest Silver – you will listen all nitty-gritty details of musical materials but without any musical live soul – the cold analyst…
Now I use Marantz-8B stock – this is fantastic!!!!!
I’m Russian and my English not so good and I can't portray all details and nuances . But believe me – this LS can play the music of all times and peoples. I didn’t listen metal and such on. But other music: classic, rock, blues, jazz and etc – very very high level,
Best regards

musicelb · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Apr 2010, 07:25 pm »

Hi. I'm loving mine! At some point I'll describe my whole system when I get more time.

JackD201 · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Apr 2010, 05:25 am »

I heard your speakers then dubbed the VR-4 Anniversary Signature at CES 08 and was smitten. So smitten that I placed an order for a bunch of them as I already had buyers waiting. Alas the VR-4 A never made it to production.

I did buy back a pair of Jr Mk.1s which I intend to bring up to 4A Signature status eventually for personal use. I understand VSA is busy now because of the production of the VR-33s and VR-35 Export Editions so I'll just have to wait a bit longer.

You guys are lucky!

musicelb · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Apr 2010, 01:21 am »

Jack, thanks for your response...Edward
I'm running mine with Quicksilver V4 monoblocks! I love it!

jab · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Apr 2010, 01:48 pm »

I agree with JackD on the VR4Jr Annies (20th anniv).. I heard at the same CES and was blown away.. Albert used AudioSpace integrated amps to present at the 2008 CES. Albert eventually inserted a APL modified tubed Esoteric CDP.. The sound was lush and silky smooth. I have a picture of those black beauties that I'm looking at right now and will try to post. The Jr's had a terrific following and I hope the legend will continue.. Wonderful synergy with AudioSpace esp those 300b's. Jack

jab · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Apr 2010, 02:29 pm »

Here ya go,, let the drooling begin!

ceedee · « **Reply #11 on:** 20 Apr 2010, 02:33 pm »

Hey Jack,

You mean this one? Yes you did as seen on your picture.
We had the same in mind when you mentioned.

This model was planned to come but the enclosure is too costfull it would be very close to the VR 4 SR.

Regards,

Cor

jab · « **Reply #12 on:** 20 Apr 2010, 02:56 pm »

Cor,, u r amazing! I'm going to look forward to meeting you at RMAF.. Speaking of RMAF,, here's a shot of me, Albert's son Damon and "The Godfather" at the 2008 show in Denver..

ceedee · « **Reply #13 on:** 20 Apr 2010, 03:51 pm »

Hey Jack,

Yes having the same thought at exactly the same time so far away.
That is amazing.

This is a nice picture too.
Now I will remember your face when we meet in Denver.

Regards,

Cor

JackD201 · « **Reply #14 on:** 20 Apr 2010, 04:16 pm »

Quote from: jab on 20 Apr 2010, 01:48 pm

I agree with JackD on the VR4Jr Annies (20th anniv).. I heard at the same CES and was blown away.. Albert used AudioSpace integrated amps to present at the 2008 CES. Albert eventually inserted a APL modified tubed Esoteric CDP.. The sound was lush and silky smooth. I have a picture of those black beauties that I'm looking at right now and will try to post. The Jr's had a terrific following and I hope the legend will continue.. Wonderful synergy with AudioSpace esp those 300b's. Jack

Oh yes! I remember that. I recall that shortly after Alex Paychev was invited by Esoteric to go to their room. I was in there with Alberta Canada dealer Dimfer. Too bad we didn't meet. I got to meet our fellow dealer from Poland.

CanadaSteve · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Apr 2010, 06:27 pm »

I just thought I would tell you how great my system is sounding since the Vr4jr MkIII update. When I first fired them up, the system sounded pretty tight for several days. However, after leaving music playing while I left for work each day, everything is starting to mature nicely. I don’t think I am quite at 200 hours yet, but the imaging is really superb. The speakers disappear. The bass is absolutely beautiful! Not only is there more stronger, effortless low frequency information, but it is cleaner and clearer. I can distinguish separate bass notes and locations. The upper frequencies are still coming together, but the sound is far more detailed already. Whatever haze affected the old setup has evaporated and the change is very dramatic. I can wholeheartedly say that the upgrade to MKIII on the juniors is worth whatever you have to do to get there! The images are bigger and more lifelike than i've ever heard!

scp2 · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Apr 2010, 07:11 pm »

Let's just keep our fingers crossed that Albert doesn't get too busy with the VR-33's and doesn't have time to mod jr's any longer.

ceedee · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Apr 2010, 09:56 pm »

Dear VR 4 JR Owners,

Maybe the time is there for VSA to compose a "modkit" specially for handy men to fix their own VR 4 JR's. No sending up and down costs, having fun with the upgrade work and finally have fun with the result you have done by your self.

For the ones with, maybe not the best, right hands, the job can be done by a special trained speakerman nearby.

Finally sit back and enjoy the music which sound by far better now.

What do you think Albert, Damon?

Good luck with the lot of work with the Vortex VR 33.

Cor

Delacroix · « **Reply #18 on:** 21 Apr 2010, 01:40 am »

I think an 'approved' DIY modification kit for speakers would be very attractive. Having just invested some time and effort building my own tube amp kits, I agree it is very satisfying to experience the results of one's own efforts. With speakers, the costs (both physical and financial) in shipping back to the factory is a major deterrent, but I would only attempt a mod that was described, planned, supplied and approved by VSA.

JackD201 · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 Apr 2010, 02:32 am »

I'd be happy with a "half mod of drivers and crossovers less the triple wall, which is really why the speakers have to be sent back. Some WGH sourced braces supplied perhaps? Sounds interesting!