[MustangJeff]

I'm not what I call a true audiophile.  My current setup is pretty modest.  A pair of rotel 980BX amps in a bi-amp configuration running a pair of Vandersteen 2 CE Sigs.  I've been kicking around a speaker upgrade for a few months and the next logical step would be the Vandersteen 3A sigs, but  before just pulling the trigger I wanted to at least explore other speaker options.  This is when I came across the VR-33 speakers. 

I do enjoy the Vandersteen sound.  My musical taste is usually classic rock, but I toss in some folk, metal, and jazz from time to time.  I actually picked the 2CE sigs over a pair of Magnepan 1.6's because I felt they were better with rock music.

The VR-33's are right in line (price wise) with the Vandy 3A Sigs and the Magnepan 3.6's.

1) Is there any place/dealers in the Minneapolis Minnesota area that I could listen to the VR-33's?  I'm thinking no because they are factory direct.

2) Does anyone have an opinion on Vandersteen vs VR-33's?  Similarities or Differences

3) My audio source:  I ripped all my CD's into lossless WAV files and have them stored on a PC.  I output direct digital to a Rotel RSX-1056 AV receiver and use that as my DAC.  The Rotel 980BX Amps are connected via pre-outs.  Any thoughts on how my electronics would work with the VR-33's?

Thanks for any thoughts!

[es347]

While I had the VR33s here at home, I drove them with a $250 Denon AVR and the results were crazy good.  I can't imagine any electronics that they would not like.

[Jumpin]

I ordered the VR-33 recently.  Have not recieved them yet.  The brilliance for me is the ability to place them close to the wall.   My room is not "dedicated".  We play ping pong, darts & sit at the bar while listening.  So, I need good sound throught the room, and don't want to loose room space to speakers that are 6-10 feet from the walls.   

[CGull]

Hi, I'm in Milwaukee WI, so still a good distance away but if you ever get to the area you can listen to mine. The Vandersteen 2 Ce Sigs. and 3 Sigs where in the running. In my opinion the VR-33 won out for a few reasons over the Vandersteen, 1.) How close to the wall they can sit made the wife so happy my old speakers where 22 inches into the room and still there too close to the front wall for their best sound. They sit 6 inches in my room. I'm using a Rhythmic E15 Sub for the very bottom end, or i would have them at 3 inches)  2.) I find them more detailed then the Vandersteen while being much more forgiving. ( I have no clue how Albert can make a speaker sound so good with really good recorded music but still sound good with digital Music down loaded for itunes!! From my past experience compressed music was unlistenable but these speakers can do both, you can listen critically and be a music lover. ) 3.) More dynamic then the Vandersteen 4.) more efficient then the Vandersteen.
 I like Vandersteen speakers and how they sound, the best way I can describe the VR-33 is that it does what the Vandersteen's do but none of the short coming of being too laid back and inefficient. 

[MustangJeff]

Hi, I'm in Milwaukee WI, so still a good distance away but if you ever get to the area you can listen to mine. The Vandersteen 2 Ce Sigs. and 3 Sigs where in the running. In my opinion the VR-33 won out for a few reasons over the Vandersteen, 1.) How close to the wall they can sit made the wife so happy my old speakers where 22 inches into the room and still there too close to the front wall for their best sound. They sit 6 inches in my room. I'm using a Rhythmic E15 Sub for the very bottom end, or i would have them at 3 inches)  2.) I find them more detailed then the Vandersteen while being much more forgiving. ( I have no clue how Albert can make a speaker sound so good with really good recorded music but still sound good with digital Music down loaded for itunes!! From my past experience compressed music was unlistenable but these speakers can do both, you can listen critically and be a music lover. ) 3.) More dynamic then the Vandersteen 4.) more efficient then the Vandersteen.
 I like Vandersteen speakers and how they sound, the best way I can describe the VR-33 is that it does what the Vandersteen's do but none of the short coming of being too laid back and inefficient.

Thanks for the offer CGull!  I live near Eau Claire WI, so I might take you up on your offer when it's convenient for you.  It would be great to have my wife listen to them as well.  Basically if she is wowed enough she'd give me the green light 

I was also considering a pair of Magnepan 3.6's.  We do like the sound of Magnepans, but then the reality sets in that I don't have a dedicated listening room and they would need to be place near my coffee table to get them to sound like they should.  That isn't going to happen.  My 2CE sigs are three feet from the back wall (and one foot from the side walls) and imo they are in a slightly suboptimal location.   The VR-33's sound like a snap to get them placed and setup.

I'm using a Vandersteen V2W subwoofer for my home theater and music.  It's more of an HT sub, but I use it for music as well.  The VR-33's sound like they should integrate well with this sub, and also work well with my Rotel electronics.

The VR-33's also remind me a bit (in appearance) to a couple speakers I have on my second system in the basement.  I have a pair of DCM Timewindow 1a's and DCM Timeframe 400's.  For some reason I've always had a thing for the "sock" speakers.  The DCM's were purchased in the late 80's and were my first forray into above average sound

[trout2]

No authorized dealer that I'm aware of in the MSP area. However, I once listened to VS VR4SR MKII's at HigherFi.....(Chris Moon's place 15 miles south of Minneapolis)  Might be worth a call.....

[buddy]

VR-33 has a in home trial.  I'm thinking of getting new speakers to replace my Vortex Screens, which Albert design years ago. I've enjoy the screens for many years and like Albert's work.

[ceedee]

Hello Buddy,

That is interesting.

Do you have any pictures from the Vortex Screen you own now?

Regards,

Cor

[johzel]

  I have a pair of DCM Timewindow 1a's and DCM Timeframe 400's.  For some reason I've always had a thing for the "sock" speakers.  The DCM's were purchased in the late 80's and were my first forray into above average sound

Hey MustangJeff,

The first time I heard the DCM's I fell in love with them in the 70's while attending UWS just down the road from Eau Claire - did you get yours at, what was it, EME audio?  Do I have that right?  My audio hobby got its start on Water St . . . Sound World as I recall.  If you have the old Time Windows I can certainly see why you'd like the Vandy's!

[MustangJeff]

Hey MustangJeff,

The first time I heard the DCM's I fell in love with them in the 70's while attending UWS just down the road from Eau Claire - did you get yours at, what was it, EME audio?  Do I have that right?  My audio hobby got its start on Water St . . . Sound World as I recall.  If you have the old Time Windows I can certainly see why you'd like the Vandy's!

Yes, it was EME Audio.  That was my introduction to higher end Audio in my late teens/early 20's.  I worked summers and saved up enough money to purchase a Yamaha integrated amp, Yamaha turntable, a Nakamichi BX300 cassette player, and a pair of DCM TimeFrame 500's.  I really wanted some Polk Audio SDA's but they were outside of my budget.  EME had a great deal where you could trade in your speakers within a year toward a more expensive pair.  At the end of the year I upgraded to a pair of DCM TimeWindow 1A's which I still have.  Recently I picked up a pair of DCM TimeFrame 400 series II on craigslist for $70.  They can be found for a steal and make great speakers for second/third systems   I wish Steve Eberbach was still designing speakers.

[buddy]

Cor, I'll try to post some pictures soon.

[soundbitten1]

  Recently I picked up a pair of DCM TimeFrame 400 series II on craigslist for $70.  They can be found for a steal and make great speakers for second/third systems  

I found a pair of Time Windows 3 on craigslist last year and I love 'em. They sound great in my secondary system .

[CGull]

 Mustangjeff,
          EME Audio is where I first heard DCM Timewindows and what got me into audio. It was in the mid 80's when I was at UW. Stout. My VR-33 are driven my Krell for two channel and Emotiva for home theater. I have a rotel 1070 I use in a second system so hearing how they sound with an amp similar can help. I never heard the Maggie 3.6, I have heard the 1.6 and really liked the speakers. The down fall in my book is bass and room placement.
 With the VR-33 you are getting near the speed of the Maggies with much better bass, more efficent and no room placement issues. I wish I could compare the timewindows but 24 year is too long.
 Life with kids is busy but once we get through middle of Sept. we are at home alot. So if your in the area fell free to listen.
       

[theaudioanalyst]

My full review just went live at...

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue51/vr33.htm

Let me know what you think... Thanks.