Even dispersion, great dynamic range, full-range sound, sonically matched to other Boson VR series speakers.

Large and heavy.

The VR12 is an incredible bargain in center channel speakers. Unfortunately this model has been discontinued, grab one if you can find it. I got a close-out deal on mine and couldn't pass it up. The salesperson told me that Boston Acoustics released new models because the VR12 was always underpriced, compared to its competition. If you look at the new center channel models from BA, the replacement for the VR12 costs $800, that's twice the list price of the VR12.

The VR12 is one of a handful of center channel speakers that actually uses a vertically aligned midrange and tweeter (the correct way to build a center channel speaker) rather than a MTM design lying on its side. The MTM design was never meant to be used lying down, and any speaker using that type of layout, including the Paradigm center channels, will suffer from larger dips in the response for any listener who is not directly in front of the tweeter. Read the "Video" review by Tom Nousaine of the Paradigm Reference Active speakers at the Paradigm site if you don't believe me. The reviewer suggests setting the CC upright or subsituting another Active 20 for the CC.

The VR12 deserves to be compared to much more expensive speakers such as the NHT Audio Center 2 ($850), the Aerial Acoustics CC3 ($1200 I think), and the Hales Revelation Center ($800+). The NHT AC2 and the VR12 are both fine speakers. The VR12 has the advantage of being about 2-3dB more sensitive with 1 watt of input power. I spent a day comparing these speakers, and I would say that the VR12 is as good as the AC2 for less than half the price. If you are looking for a better center channel speaker you should plan on spending $800 or more. If you can still find a VR12 with a warranty I would highly recommend buying one before they are all gone.

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Compared to NHT Audio Center 2 and Paradigm Reference CC.

clear and definative

black is ugly

over all i'm very satisfied with this speaker, i have boston all around and will be changing to b and w. i'm not deprived in the meantime and my boston center will be the last to go

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