Why are VMPS speakers adjustable?

ctviggen · « **on:** 3 Mar 2004, 05:50 pm »

VMPS speakers are one of the few I know of where adjustments can be made to the speaker. Why? Most speakers are not adjustable at all.

Personally, I think it's a great idea, because I'll likely never be in a position where I have total control over the room the speakers are in. This way, I can adjust the speakers to the room. Also, if I like a more "tinny" sound, I can get that sound. But it seems strange that the speakers are adjustable when almost no other speaker is. Ideally, I guess I'd build an extra room with all the appropriate room treatments, but that's at least a few years away.

Also, when you're adjusting the VMPS speakers, could you use a frequency sweep to gauge the effects? (I have a CD with certain tones on it, and I used this to determine that my room sucked; I changed the position of everything and it sounded much better and the response was flatter.)

Horsehead · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 05:57 pm »

To drive people insane!

maxwalrath · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 06:13 pm »

Yeah, no kidding horsehead. I can't get it right, and I've just about given up...not on the speakers, just on trying to improve things through adjustments. I just don't like doing it, I wish I could pay a VMPS rep $50 to come out to my place for a few hours.

zybar · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 06:50 pm »

I think it is a blessing and a curse.

I would love to have somebody tune mine. Wait, that's right, I have Horsehead (just kidding Frank). But seriously, having somebody that has been through it already is a big help.

Max, which model do you have?

George

Wayne1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 06:52 pm »

Quote from: maxwalrath

I wish I could pay a VMPS rep $50 to come out to my place for a few hours.

Make it round trip airfare, all the scotch Tyson can drink and all the food Jason can eat and MAYBE you could convince them to come out for a tuning session.

At least that is what it costs out here

maxwalrath · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 06:53 pm »

The RM1's...give me about 5 years though, I'll see about getting a higher number or a letter after RM.

zybar · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 06:53 pm »

DONE!!

George

zybar · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 06:54 pm »

Max,

Didn't I almost buy them from you?

George

maxwalrath · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 06:55 pm »

Scotch and food for sure for any takers out there, transportation maybe after my tax refund

maxwalrath · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 06:57 pm »

Yep...I went back and forth between them and the Meadowlark Kestral Hotrods for a long time. I thought I was all set on the Meadowlarks, then I put the VMPS's back in one day. You have 40's now right? Quick jump from being unsure about the 1's to the 40's, isn't it?

zybar · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 06:58 pm »

BTW, it's not just a VMPS rep...it's a qualified VMPS rep.

I have met many dealers who knew significantly less about audio (in general) and the products they sold (specifically) than many of us.

So Wayne, what does it take to have you visit the big city?

Coming out for the Stereophile show maybe?

George

zybar · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 07:02 pm »

RM1's were going to be for my second system (see pic below), while the 40's are in the main system.

George

maxwalrath · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 07:06 pm »

Those are definitely better looking speakers than the light wood on my speakers.

zybar · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 07:08 pm »

That's why they are still at my living room!

Maybe some of newer cabinets out of China will one day be in my living room...

George

maxwalrath · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 07:14 pm »

If you ever end up in Philly and want to do some tuning and drink some scotch...

How far north is Carmel? Is that in Putnam? My family is in Hastings-on-Hudson, and my grandparents have a house up in Putnam Valley.

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 07:18 pm »

Wow, small world...

My parents live in Putnam Valley and I am 15 minutes from there.

If you come up, you are invited to come over for scotch and NOT have to do any tuning.

George

maxwalrath · « **Reply #16 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 07:29 pm »

NO tuning...

. Sweet.

ctviggen · « **Reply #17 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 08:13 pm »

Ok, so maybe the ability to tune the speakers isn't that great! As a former electrical engineer (now scum-sucking attorney), I guess it just gets my blood going to know that I can do something other than just listen to speakers. I'm even thinking of ordering kits so that I can build my speakers.

By the way George, since you're hosting the NY get-together, I can come then. It should be easier than having two groups (me and somebody else) over.

warnerwh · « **Reply #18 on:** 3 Mar 2004, 09:00 pm »

Being able to adjust the speakers so much is great. It certainly is a time consuming learning experience though. Subtle touches to the sound are very important. It's easiest making tiny adjustments throughout the process. I've done both and I'm sure tiny adjustments are the fastest way to get there. If you get impatient like I did you'll spend way longer getting them right. I suspect lack of patience is part of the problem with new owners. This is years of experience speaking: Take your time.

errivera · « **Reply #19 on:** 4 Mar 2004, 01:09 am »

I currently have the Carver Amazing Platinum Mk. IV speakers and they also have adjustment for the Q of the woofers and also mid and treble level adjustment. I wonder why VMPS did not go this route.

I know that the crossover is considerably more complex however, the improvements in speed adjusting the sound may be well worth the extra design effort.