Going back and forth: Uni-3's and VR-4SR Mk3

Isaac. · « **on:** 12 Jan 2010, 06:13 am »

Well I've read nearly ever post in this circle including Albert's incredibly helpful post addressing this exact topic. I then digested every single relevant review and I still go back and forth with the above two speakers.

I have heard the Uni-3's a number of times at RMAF and have even had a chance to meet Albert. Albert was gracious and I loved the Uni-3's. I have not heard the VR-4SR Mk3 and unfortunately do not have the time to fly to SoCal for a listen. The main reason for the dilemma is that I'm still a closet basshead and as such could go a long way towards justifying the VR-4SR Mk3 overloading my room. I'll admit that the Uni-3's put out amazing bass energy for the driver complement but I would hate to be wanting more. That said, the coherence/clarity/soundstaging of the Uni-3's is addictive. To those that have listened to both--can the Mk3's match the Uni-3's in this regard?

They'll be placed in a 15 x 20 x 8' room. Power will be from Bryston 4BSST2. Music selection is jazz and rock, scattered classical. I will be plunking down the money for one of them imminently and wanted to see if anyone here has had a chance to directly A-B compare the two.

Thanks a bunch guys. This forum is invaluable and I will be sure to post pics when my purchase is complete!

ceedee · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 12:06 pm »

Hello Isaac,

We have the Unifield III and VR 4 SR mk III side by side in our studio.

Since your room is rather small I predict the VR 4 SR mk III is a bit oversized and can give you 'basstrouble'.
A same situation was at Wimck's. Wim desided to go for the Unifield III instead of the VR 4 SR mk III, read his post.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=72264.0

Your Bryston should give enough power to handle the Uni's and make them sing.

Good luck.

Cor

JackD201 · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 01:06 pm »

I'd be afraid of frying the unpadded midrange of the Uni3 with a powerhouse like the 4BSST. The 4BSST on the other hand looks tailor made for the 4ohm SR Mk.III.

Our MkIIIs just sailed in so I should be able to do a side by side compare by the middle of next week. They were delayed in shipping so Albert and Damon had some fun with them broke them in quite a bit while I was being a laggard. Still I have to burn them in the rest of the way before I can give a good assessment.

8ft or 9 ft. apart with 3 to 3.5 ft on either side should be okay for the SRs. They won't need to be toed in much if at all. The super cardiod pattern with the rear tweeters engaged is forgiving of sidewall reflections.

ceedee · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 02:14 pm »

Hi Isaac and Jack,

For sure this is the best way to go.

Don't be afraid using some power on the Unifield's.
I once tuned up the UNifield III with a 2 Kikowatt amp.
Wow, what a music and dynamics from this system.
Drivers are still going and play even better after this.

Have fun.

Cor

es347 · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 02:18 pm »

Buy the MkIIIs and don't even look back!

JackD201 · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 04:12 pm »

Hey Cor,

What amps might those be? Karan's perhaps? I've been wanting to hear them. I was playing Gears of War on an Xbox 360 sound through the U3s and an LSA Standard amp (300wpc into 4ohms) and whenever I threw a grenade the woofer excursion scared me. I thought the magnesium diaphragms would fly off and behead me

It didn't break though, far from it. Isaac did say however that he did like lotsa bass.

EU says U3
Asia says MK3

Jack B? Scott? USA has to break the tie

ceedee · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 04:54 pm »

Hey Jack,

We have used several amps on the Unifield III.

Take care. The audio signal must be clean and

First of all, ofcourse the KR amps. The Kronzilla DXL at 150 RMS pc. very impressive, musical, ritch and dynamic vocals.

At the reviewers home we tried the Hegel H10 from Norway.

Also we tried the Musical Fidelity Titan 2K at 4 Ohm.

When you play loud you get scared by the presicion of the sound, not by the driver.
I know that when I was tuning the big VR 11 SE.

What type of bass do you like?
The real bass or the pumped bass which 'terbulates' a lot of air penetrating into your body?

The Unifield give you the real bass. High speed and controled.
Lot of customers don't recognize the real bass and feel like a leak of bass.

Beware, the X-Box might be a bit too small to handle a grenade.
Try to connect the X-Box to a extended DAC to upgrade the Audio signal.

Have fun.

Cor

JackD201 · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 05:11 pm »

I like both which the 9s have

I have to admit I was bored during the break-in period hence the Xbox

AFAIK Xbox outputs the audio data stream via HDMi only. All my DACS are either ST Glass, AES-EBU or SPDIF.

Now that our Uni3s are broken in they are mated with Accuphase DP-78, Lamm LL2 pre and Lamm ML1.1 amps. No problems with clean signals there

The SR MkIIIs we position as our mixed system (HT + Music) speaker along with the VisiUn using a BAT VK-6200 amp.

martin_eg · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 05:21 pm »

Hello Isaac! If you are a bass nut

i have one reference. My Mk3s have just passed 200 h now and listening to music is at last possible. One friend of mine, who like you is a BN is deeply impressed by the soundstage and clarity of the Mk3s but he want to place them closer to the backwall in order to get more bass. They are at the moment some 150cm from the backwall and slightly toed OUT. Placement is crucial and 10cm in any direction makes differece. Pink noise testing works better than expected. Relocating and measuring continues. I love them! Oh, my room is only 10x24x7 plus some extras in the back right side. I think this will great with som hard work. Good luck/Martin
(EU-vote

disco · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 05:58 pm »

I gotta throw my vote to the VR4SR MKIII. Yes the U3's are clarity kings with incredible dynamics, but with that Bryston amp I think the SR's will make amazing music and incredibly articulate bass. You can place the SR's to maximize bass response, then come in and adjust the rear tweeter to liven up or soften up the top end. In the end you can't go wrong with either speaker as they both make great music

ceedee · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 06:49 pm »

Hey Jack,

You can try the Audio Magic HDMI made by Harmonic Technology.
This one is perfect for audiosignal.
Most HDMI can do the vision part well but no audio.

Regards,

Cor

jab · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 08:01 pm »

Here's my story,, I'm using the Bel Canto ref 1000's mk111 500w mono's on my Uni 3's. On my 5's,, I'm using the Karan KAS180 amplifier to great affect as well.. At some point I'll run the new Moscode hybrid thru and inject an AudioSpace or PreLuna tube amp in too... The VS's are so easy to please,, low pwr, high pwr,, tube, ss or hybrid... Jack B

jab · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Jan 2010, 08:08 pm »

Oh,, forgot,, my vote would be the VR4III between the two... But,,,,, the 5's are soooooo nice!

JackD201 · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 01:53 am »

Quote from: ceedee on 12 Jan 2010, 06:49 pm

Hey Jack,

You can try the Audio Magic HDMI made by Harmonic Technology.
This one is perfect for audiosignal.
Most HDMI can do the vision part well but no audio.

Regards,

Cor

Thanks Cor!

doug s. · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 02:03 am »

consider the uni's w/an active outboard x-over and a pair (or more) of subwoofers. it is much easier to dial in uber-bass w/outboard subs, and the more you have, the easier it is to get proper room integration, especially in a smaller room.

doug s.

SundayNiagara · « **Reply #15 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 03:13 am »

Quote from: es347 on 12 Jan 2010, 02:18 pm

Buy the MkIIIs and don't even look back!

I agree!

Isaac. · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Jan 2010, 05:13 am »

Much gratitude to the entire circle. I appreciate all the advice and great recommendations. Final decision to come in the next day or two and will update here. I'll be joining the club soon!

Isaac. · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Jan 2010, 05:21 pm »

VR4-SR MkIII order placed!

My thanks to jab. Can't wait!

es347 · « **Reply #18 on:** 20 Jan 2010, 08:13 pm »

Order placed before or after Jack's message above? You chose wisely my son!

Isaac. · « **Reply #19 on:** 21 Jan 2010, 06:52 pm »

Quote from: es347 on 20 Jan 2010, 08:13 pm

Order placed before or after Jack's message above? You chose wisely my son!

Well, before but the message (and the other posts) certainly reaffirmed my position. Can't hardly wait. Best to you Gavin.