Boston Acoustics VR 910 Center Channels

Boston Acoustics VR 910 Center Channels 

DESCRIPTION

Center Channel Recommended Amplifier Power 15-150 watts Frequency Response (3dB) 65-20,000Hz Bass Unit 5-1/4" (135mm) Crossover Frequency 3000Hz

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 10  
[Jun 28, 2002]
jc_ignacio
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Ability to accurately reproduce dialogue and music with ease

Weakness:

Perhaps I still felt cheated that this was a passive and active configuration rather than a active and active 5-1/4 driver setup

I stubbornly have maintained, due mostly to non-available funds that a center channel was not needed in my 5.1 set-up. Boy, little did I know how a center channel can make a movie more intelligeble (dialogue is easier to follow) and also make sound effects panning left to right sound more realistic. I had waited for approximately 3 months to buy this speaker. Mostly because, I was waiting for it to lower in price and to see if a new improved model would replace it. I found that this same configuration of passive 5-1/4 and active driver currently reside in the upscale VR-MC model in BA's Referance series. Sans the cherry veneer and glossy endcaps, this is the same speaker with the same Lynnfield tweeter. I was relegated to use the tv speakers and would not see the complete resolution and in-movie experience that a devoted center channel would bring. After plugging the VR910 into my Kenwood Vr-509 DD II receiver, I was completely surprised by how much the center actually does in a 5.1 system. Dialogue was clear and without tinny characteristics found in most tv speakers. Sound effects panned left to right seamlessly between my VR-950 towers and the VR-910 center. Fantasia 2000 host's spoken word was intelligable and not once did I say "What'd he say?". Now, mind you I sometimes think that I may be losing some hearing in the 25 years that I have enjoyed listening and watching movies, so I will take this as a cheap way to enjoy something that I may have been missing. For music, these are one of the best in comparing all the centers that comprise the Best Buy or Circuit City selections that I've found. Although, one of the factors that many have outlined when choosing a center speaker is to voice match the drivers, I have discovered that some are too tinny, or unnaturally resonant, while the BA's are natural and coherent. Makes me happy that I went with Boston Acoustics all the way around. Look for some deals now that these models are approaching the last phase of the model life. I hear that the newer versions would be similar, so the deal you are able to have for these would be satisfying since the newer versions would sport the same configurations..

Similar Products Used:

None owned but researched thoroughly: Polk, JBL, Cerwin Vega, Yamaha.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Aug 09, 2000]
Jeff
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sound

Weakness:

Price

This is just a test review. It seems that the webmaster is selective about which reviews are kept and which aren't. I know of two reviews that were posted for the BA VR910 that have been removed for whatever reason. Actually, the removal of both of those reviews have artificially increased the rating on the 910.

Does anybody else know of any other reviews that have been deleted for no apparent reason?

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
3
[Nov 27, 2000]
Neil
Casual Listener

Strength:

Size, shallowness especially, good sounds.

Weakness:

The rest of the B.A. speakers that go with this center.

This is an awesome speaker. It has no flaws. However the B.A. 940 to 96x truly suck. They have no spaciousness to their sound for movie reproduction. I returned my B.A. setup and purchased used Def. Tech. worth $2800+ for $1200 (read my review on the B.A. VR940 for more on this). The other B.A. VR's aren't very good looking at the bottom, the sock and endcap is nice though the plastic foot ruins the whole statement. I think B.A.'s are a case of nice in the showroom, poor in the house speakers. I returned mine. But if this speaker matched with Def. Tech. I would keep it. (It sounds far better than the Paradigm CC-350, and in a smaller package, too. The Paradigm's will rupture your ear canal with it's squeaky, piercing highs)

Similar Products Used:

Def. Tech. C1000B, Paradigm Monitor 7

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 02, 2001]
John
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Clear, full sound.

Weakness:

None.

After I received a new digital receiver for Christmas, I decided it was time to upgrade speakers. (center channel and subwoofer). I have a pair of Phase Technology front speakers, which I really like, but couldn't find a local store to get a matching center channel. I had about $300 to spend on a new center channel, and narrowed my choice to this speaker and the Infinity. Both are very good, but the sound from the BA was fuller. The Infinity had more of a "bright" tone to it. I guess it really is a matter of preference.
All and all I have been very pleased with this speaker.

Similar Products Used:

Infinity IL25C

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jan 04, 2002]
Kiet Tran
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Nice sound

Weakness:

Only one bass unit

The VR 910 is a very good speaker. I bought it about amonth ago and was very impressed with the sound quality. It also goes very well with my fronts... the VR 965. I recommend this speaker to anyone looking for a good quality speaker at an affordable price.

Just a note to anyone out there. The VR 910 has only one bass unit. Although when you take the cover off, it looks like there's two bass units... there's only one. The other is a passive radiator. So don't be surprise. I was surprise when I discovered it and thought there was a problem. After further research, I found out that one was a 5 1/4 bass unit while the other is a 5 1/4 passive radiator.

Similar Products Used:

Polk Audio, Infinity

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
3
[Jan 02, 2002]
Dave M
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great overall sound, bass, mids etc.

Weakness:

A tad pricey.... but that's the cost of engineering.

After comparing Klipsh (all highs, and some mids), Infinity (not bad but sound not a full as the Boston), and Definative (lacking in bass), I ended up buying the VR910 to replace my Canton AV700 and used Fleetwood Mac's - The Dance DVD to justify the 300 bucks I dropped. All I can say is "HOLY CA CA"! Coupled with the Boston VR 950 mains, I was blown away. Then I watched Matrix and, well, ....nuff said.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jul 27, 2001]
Ted
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Clean Full Sound, nice Highs and deep lows, Fite perfect on top of my TV.

Weakness:

Wish it were a 3 way like the VR10 was. But 2-way works just fine for me.

The VR910 is a awsome Center speakers. Plays Pretty loud when wanted too. Has good Bass IMpact for a Center speakers. very Slim aswell, keeps a low profile on top of your TV, but still notciable. It has a nice Warm sound in Music. Can have a bright and impacting when Watching a good Action movie like James Bond. A very good Center peformer for the money.

Similar Products Used:

Most of the Common Speaker makers.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
3
[Sep 22, 2000]
fred
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Stunning highs, superb midrange, great vocals

Weakness:

Can't think of any

Outstanding. After comparing the Bostons to NHT, Monitor, and Definitive Tech., these brands sounded fuzzy. The VR910 reproduces vocals, trumpets, cymbols, and violins with stunning clarity (the AMD device on tweeter is key). The midrange is excellent as well (so long as they are judged after 8 hours of burn-in time).

The 910 is a perfect match for the VR 950, since both models use the same woofer and tweeter. If you are considering purchasing new Left, Right, and Center speakers, buy the VR 950 and the VR 910. They are truly superb and a great deal.

Although other brands of good center channels cost about $500, I still didn't like paying $300 for the VR 910. This is beacause I purchased the VR 950s for $315 each and they have 2 active woofers and a much, much larger enclosure. But, $300 is still a great price for a reference quality center channel.
---------------------------------------------------------
Here is my review for the VR 950:

Outstanding. After comparing the Bostons to NHT, Monitor, and Definitive Tech., these brands sounded fuzzy. The VR950s reproduce trumpets, cymbols, and violins with stunning clarity (I think the AMD device on tweeter is key). The midrange is excellent as well (so long as they are judged after 8 hours of burn-in time). The bass, which reaches 47 Hz at -3 db, is sufficient for playing music and movies in my apartment. However, those with larger rooms may need a sub.

I bought this particular model of Boston's because I beleive that they are the best value in the Boston line. Since the VR950 uses the same woofer and tweeter as the VRM-50 (msrp $700/pr.) and the Micro100x (msrp $650/pr.) it is by far the best deal. Not only do the VR950s have two woofers in each speaker, but they are floorstanding as well (this saved me about $100 because I didn't have to buy stands). Furthermore, due to the VR950's incredibly large chamber and down-firing port, the bass response is superior to both the VRM-50 and Micr100x.

I initially planned on getting the PV600 sub, but I'm satisfied with the bass response. Instead, I plan on getting the VR910 center channel, which uses the same drivers as the VR950. I got mine for $630/pair- a fair price.



Similar Products Used:

NHT super center, Definitive Tech., Monitor

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 29, 2000]
Jeff
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Sound. Very clear. Good imaging. Nicely balanced.

Weakness:

VR910 is a two-way speaker versus the VR10 that was a three-way speaker.

Well, although it does sound great, I'm curious as to why Boston changed the VR10 (three-way) to the VR910 (two-way) and increased the price $50. And boy, if you want the VR920, the replacement for the VR12, you're really screwed. The VR12 cost $400. The 920 is $600. Same freaken speaker. What a bargain!

The problem is, I can't tell any improvement in sound that would warrant the $50 price increase. But I bought it, and I like it, so I'm keeping it.

Here is my rating break down:

Sound quality: 5
Value: 3
Average: 4

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
4
[Jul 12, 2000]
C
Audio Enthusiast

The VR910 is rounding out a Boston Acoustics setup: A70s (from 1986) for the mains, CR6s for the surrounds, and the PV-600 for the sub. They are powered through a Dennon AVR-2800.

My goal was to get speakers that matched the timber of my existing A70s. The VR910 does a great job.

The speaker has one tweeter and two main drivers. The sound is clear and crisp. I feel the range of sound is quite broad, and the imaging and depth of field is quite good. All of this matches the characteristics of the A70s so the front field of sound becomes seemless and blends together nicely - especially when listening to music in 5 channel stereo.

The VR910 is also replacing our TVs built in speakers as a center channel. The difference? We can match the center channel volume to the volume level for the rest of the speakers and it blends well. Dialog, and high end sounds are clear and crisp with the tweeter, while the drivers provide a decent amount of bass if needed - nothing to knock your socks off, but it has range. The speaker begins to blend into the room - which it should. Sound doesn't seem to come from the speaker - it comes from the TV.

Since we were looking for Boston speakers we compared this with other Boston centers. The VR910 opened up the sound field while the less expensive models sounded tinny and narrow.

We did happen to hear this against an MK center. We found the Boston to be a little more mellow, but also more open and still had the highs and lows. The MK was a bit brighter and smaller sounding.

We purchased this unit on sale from an authorized dealer so I give it a high value rating as well as a high overall rating. We feel the difference in sound justified spending more on this model than going with a less expensive model. I've had my A70s for 14 years, so the cost of a speaker (whatever your budget) is worth it if the sound quality holds up to your expectations over time.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 10  

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