Von Schweikert

HE 2006

By Tom Norton • Posted: Jun 4, 2006

I've heard the $4495/pair Von Schweikert Audio VR-4jr on four different occasions now, in four different rooms at three different shows, and their sound has consistently ranged from very good to superb. The same was true here. They're on the right in the photo. To the left is the larger, VR-5SE, which will set you back $18,000/pair. The VR-5SE did sound better—tighter, crisper, and better defined. But not four times better. Von Schweikert does make a suitable center channel and surrounds, but for front projection I'd be inclined to try three VR-4jrs across the front, perhaps turning the sub module on its side if needed for the system to clear the screen (the top mid/tweeter module separates from the woofers in the Watt/Puppy style, but is not available separately).

Comments

Submitted by LarryLR on June 6, 2006 - 2:01pm.

RE: VR-5SE's- I'll bet that they sound 10 times better than the 4JR's, when both models of speakers are set up correctly. But seriously, I'll further wager that nothing near $20K can touch them in nearly every way of evaluating a speaker sonically. My old 5HSE's took on all comers and bested them, except in the area of dynamics. This new model, which is allegedly +3dB more sensitive than the old 5HSE's, should be IT. -Larry

Submitted by MRD on June 19, 2006 - 6:52pm.

No I disagree. Not 10x better than a junior. Definitely 4 times better in the frequency extremes with top notch upstream components. I would say however that the VR-5 SE's performance warrants the price difference over the VR-4 SR which in turn warrants its price difference over the VR-4jrs. I can say because I've owned both including a pair of VR-4 Gen III HSEs. I have juniors on HT duty along with an LCR-15 and a single VR-S1. To be honest, if I weren't an audioholic, I could very well live with this happily and not look anywhere else including up the family tree. With the 5 I think I'm safe from the upgrade bug. The only reason I'd replace these would be if I had to move into a larger space.