Soundscape Product Listing
Von Schweikert
"THE VIGILANCE" VR-2
Reference Grade Tower Speakers
Retail Price: $3,000 /pr
The illusion
of a live orchestra playing in your listening room depends on a spatial image
developed by an invisible speaker system. VSA's proprietary Ambience Retrieval
System enables the VR-2 to successfully mimic the microphone in reverse, generating
a sound field that is amazingly dimensional.
The full depth and image size is correctly reproduced in full scale, and most importantly, this effect is fully adjustable to compensate for the reflectivity of the walls and the distance from the speaker.
VSA's research revealed that more realistic sound quality could be obtained by replicating an acoustic inversion of the microphone's signal. After all, it is the microphone's signal which is recorded, not music itself.
This is what was accomplished with the VR-2 ... a dramatic sonic improvement and a significant departure from the traditional "boxy" sounding speakers you are probably more familiar with.
CROSSOVERS
The choice of first order or 4th order filters are both compromises, each with
a list of benefits and disadvantages. For this reason, Von Schweikert spent
fifteen years developing a proprietary filter topology that would be the very
best possible compromise between the two filter designs. This research resulted
in the design of our Global Axis Integration Network which employs ladders of
first order filters, ensuring purity and coherence. The use of several stages
of first order filters enables VSA's GAIN circuit to have the benefits of fourth
order filters, with lowered distortion and greatly improved off-axis response
behavior. The VR-2 employs only the finest quality polypropylene capacitors
and air cored inductors to ensure that distortion and coloration are inaudible.
If you are seeking the most natural sounding speaker in the world, you must
audition the VR-2!
ENCLOSURE DESIGN
To greatly reduce the "boxy effects" of cabinet resonances, the VR-2 employs
VSA's Resonance Trap, an internal chamber that is filled with shot during setup.
The shot greatly absorbs the cabinet wall vibration and ensures a very clean
sound quality. In addition, only high quality MDF board is used, covered by
a lamination of high quality wood veneer. Carefully engineered internal bracing
is used to further reduce resonances that are common to other designs.
WOOFER SYSTEM
To reproduce deep and powerful bass, twin 165mm woofers are employed in VSA's
triple chambered hybrid transmission line enclosure. Tuned to 25 Hz, the enclosure
enables very tight bass due to the staggered resonances of the three internal
chambers which are carefully dampedl. Sealed enclosures lack efficiency and
dynamics, since ˝ of the cone's output is trapped inside the cabinet. However,
bass reflex designs are very resonant, with a fat, one-note quality due to air
sloshing in and out of the hollow air cavity. The best possible design is the
transmission line, which combines the efficiency and speed of ported boxes,
with the tight bass of highly damped (sealed) enclosures. VSA's proprietary triple-chambered
design was developed over a period of fifteen years, and is noted for it's extremely
tight and accurate bass response.
TWIN DRIVER DESIGN
To further ensure clean bass, we have employed two different bass drivers: a
subwoofer with low resonance tuning and a bass-mid woofer using a higher resonance
and lighter cone. The 165mm subwoofer employs a very large voice coil and magnet
to enable very high power handling at low frequencies and is crossed over at
200 Hz to ensure that the vital midrange area is not affected by the Doppler
modulation effect.
The upper bass-mid driver has a smaller voice coil and magnet and is optimized as a midrange driver, being crossed over to the tweeter at 2.2 kHz. As we use both of these woofers at low frequencies, their combined power and staggered tuning results in extremely powerful yet detailed bass. The VR-2's bass response far exceeds that of conventional speaker systems in both power and clarity: if you wish to feel the bass drum whacks in classical music or want to hear the deep growl of a Fender electric bass, you will love the VR-2's powerful bass response.
MAINDRIVER SYSTEM
As the midrange frequency band is a critical component of sound reproduction,
great attention was spent on developing a transducer that could be as transparent
as the best electrostatic panel, yet have the warmth of a human voice. Towards
that end, we developed a 165mm bass-mid driver that has an extremely light but
rigid cone. This high-tech composite cone was designed to eliminate cone flex
and/or ringing common to other stiff cones made from aluminum or ceramic materials.
In addition, to reduce the distortion caused by conventional voice coil motion,
we have employed a new Low Distortion motor design, which uses FEA (finite element
analysis) methods to optimize the voice coil windings, top plate, pole piece,
and magnet.
To greatly improve the transient response, we also developed a linear suspension system that controls the cone motion, greatly increasing clarity. The end results of these engineering advancements is a midrange frequency band with impressive fidelity and clarity, but without the thin, dry sound passing as "transparency" in competing speaker designs.
TREBLE SYSTEM
As high frequency distortion is one of the worst problems in speaker design,
we put great emphasis on VSA's tweeter development program. VSA's secret was to
develop a new type of dome material, a space age composite that will not ring
with any type of signal. In addition we utilizate a very powerful motor that
can control the motion of the dome at extremely high volume levels. By lengthening
the voice coil and doubling the depth of the magnet, we are able to greatly
increase the power handling of the speaker while greatly reducing its distortion.
Many instruments such as horns, violins, and the human voice can cause a tweeter dome to resonate and distort when the volume level is raised to intense levels. The mechanical distortion of diaphragm flexure and the voice coil chattering in the gap can cause very unpleasant sounds, but even low level signals such as a violin can also sound harsh if the dome and motor are not made to the highest quality levels. To eliminate the unpleasant distortion found in conventional tweeter designs, we have employed a composite diaphragm made with linen fabric and laminated with four coatings of synthetic rubber/plastic resin compound.
VSA's proprietary dome material is a hybrid of both hard and soft dome designs, enjoying the frequency response accuracy of hard domes with the smoothness and liquidity of soft domes. To combat mechanical distortion at high volume levels, the dome's suspension is controlled by the addition of Ferrofluid cooling liquid in the magnetic gap, acting as a lubricant as well as drawing heat away from the voice coil to aid in power handling. If you seek a speaker with ultra clean highs combined with a liquid smoothness, the VR-2 is right for you. Finally, listen to violins without gritting your teeth!
Amplitude: A speaker system used for reference monitoring
must meet a +/- 1dB tolerance level.
Phase: Consistent phase between drive units and slow rotation is desired;
no out-of-phase drivers;
Time: The drive units must be time coherent in the ear's sensitive 3ms
range.
Space: The speaker design must replicate a palpable three-dimensional
sound stage with depth.
SPECS:
- System Type: Three-way, four driver system, with Transmission-line woofer design Size: 40" (102cm) tall x 8" (20.3cm) wide x 16" (40.7cm) deep
- Weight: 66 lbs (30 kgs) raw, 85 lbs (38.6 kgs) with sand, 95 lbs (43 kgs) with lead shot.
- Woofer System: Twin 165mm (6.5") composite cone Low-Distortion drivers.
- Treble System: 1" (25mm) fabric dome tweeter with soft resin damping layers, Low Distortion motor, Ferrofluid liquid cooling/damping, and long-throw voice coil and motor assembly.
- Damping System: Resonance Trap cavity provided for insertion of lead shot.
- Crossover: Global Axis Integration Network, 4th order slopes using cascaded 1st order filters at 200 Hz and 2.2 kHz. Polypropylene caps and air cored inductors are utilized. All drivers are connected in phase.
- Ambience Driver: 1" (25mm) soft dome tweeter with wave guide mounted at rear of the cabinet and Dimension Control for effects level adjustment, calibrated.
- Frequency Response: 25 Hz to 25 kHz, -3dB (+/- 1 dB in the midrange).
- Sensitivity & Impedance: 87.5 dB @ one watt/one meter, anechoic. 90 dB in room. 8 ohms nominal, 7 ohms low to 20 ohms high.
- Power Handling: 20 watts minimum power, 200 watts maximum r.m.s., 500 watts peak.
- Inputs: Five-way binding posts, fitted for 6mm spade lugs, with CE approved sheathing. Twin pairs are fitted, for bi-wiring or bi-amping. Jumper straps are supplied.
- Warranty: Ten years parts and labor, excluding burned voice coils due to amplifier clipping.
FINISHES
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 Dark Cherry |
 Blonde Maple |
 Black |
Add a pair of VR-2's & LCR 15 for a home theater system.
(download VSA's electronic brochure: click here)
Von Schweikert Audio
930 Armorlite Dr.
San Marcos, California 92069
Phone: (760) 410-1650 Fax: (760) 410-1655
All Prices are effective January 1, 2006
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Product Name |
Model |
Link to Info |
Retail Price
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|---|---|---|---|
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VR-1 Stands only
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VR-1 Stands only - $250
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$250
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Our Business Hours are:
Monday - Friday 11am to 7pm Pacific Time
Saturday 12pm to 5pm.
We are closed on Sunday!
About Von Schweikert Audio
Von Schweikert Audio was founded by legendary speaker designer Mr. Albert Von Schweikert. A CALTECH trained speaker designer with a focus in Electrical Engineering he has over four decades in speaker design and is widely regarded in the industry as one of the pre-eminent speaker designers in the world. Companies such as Disney, Steinway, A&M Records, Sheffield Sound Labs, Mobile Fidelity and JVC have all sought Mr. Von Schweikert for his expertise in superior speaker design.
As a kid, he built his first speakers from kits, and modified stock drivers. He studied violin and piano, played electric guitar and worked on Time Delay Spectrometry with the famed Richard Heyser at the California Institute of Technology. While at CALTECH in the 70's, he delved into computer-based development of speaker design and psycho-acoustics, where he gained new understandings of sound radiation and how this was perceived by the listening audience.
After he left CALTECH University he worked with numerous different audio companies and was responsible for quite a few, and sometimes very spectacular speaker designs. He was in charge of more than one hundred projects, and while many of them don't display his name, most were very well known companies. As one of the world’s most experienced speaker designers he's worked with Bose, JBL, ESS / Heil, Eggleston, Apogee, Cerwin Vega, Counterpoint, Jensen, NHT and many others.
In the mid 90’s Von Schweikert Research moved the whole operation from the West Coast to Watertown, New York. The business enjoyed strong growth there until in 1999 a large flood destroyed most of the company. Financially strong investors urged the company to move back to California where "Von Schweikert Audio“ – abbreviated as VSA – was founded.
VSA has speakers in current production that range from $1,000 to $150,000 and the current product line-up includes nine models: from the compact VR-1 up to the monstrous VR-11. Center and surround-speakers and also several subwoofers top off the line for home cinema lovers. With an expansive global dealer base, the company has been enjoying strong and continuous growth while still pioneering innovative new designs and technologies for accurate and realistic sound reproduction.
With over 30 industry awards and a veritable "Who's Who" of famous clients, Von Schweikert Audio is THE speaker of choice for those who demand the world's very best.
over the phone or by E-mail.
ORDERING ONLINE
click here!
ORDERING BY PHONE
If there is no authorized dealer in your area you can order directly from Soundscape with a 10-day, satisfaction, money-back guarantee.
US and Canada, 1-800-450-HIFI (1-800-450-4434)
Outside the US and Canada, (707) 578-4434
Monday - Friday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM (PST)
Fax: (707) 578-4436
Last Update: February 13, 2007
1044 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Phone/707-578-4434 or 800-450-HIFI
marcs@sonic.net
