Here it is almost 20 years later and dozens of gear pieces have come and gone. I bought these in 2002 from a well healed audiophile locally, and still own them--only these and my EAD TM pre-pro have stayed for 20 years, while umpteen speakers, Pres and DACs have some and gone. I now am comparing Merlin VSM-M and the VSA VR3.5 side by side and having a hard time deciding between the two. The VR 3.5 tweeter seems as good to my ear as the Dynaudio Esotar 330-D (but, I now have 65 YO ears). I just got the Merlin BAMM, so we shall soon hear and compare yet again. These VSA VR 3.5 were so under the radar when released in 1999. They were designed as the key part of a HT system. I called VSA in 2004 and spoke with Albert's son and then Albert (RIP--the Master of X-over design) to ask them: is it my bias or are these REALLY that good. Al informed me (as did his son) that the VR 3.5 was his favorite design at the time and he had three pairs in different rooms of his home. He said to upgrade (and get more bass but not lose imaging), I would have to get the VR5 HSE--at minimum--and that the VR3.5 used similar drivers and passive components and had similar bracing as the VR5-HSE; the former was a slimmer version of the latter. Instead, he suggested I get the small S/1 sub. I recall him saying he designed that sub it for the VR3.5 HT system ($10K at the time in 1999). What a perfect match the S/1 is. I owned the VR4 GenII for a few years, but it simply did not do the disappearing act as well as the VR3.5, but did have more bass for sure. I sold the VR4 locally. Many audiophiles have listened to my VR3.5 system and have been dumbfounded. My kids (11 and 13 in 2002) described the sound like when they go to a waterpark and 'go through the mist sprayer and it sprays all over your body'. In contrast, they said the sound of my Klipsch Cornwall was like 'like having a garden hose with no sprayer to cool your face'. My kids have refined ears after I have used them for A-X-B blind testing over the years. In fact, three other adult audiophile neighbors agreed the analogy was apt. I paid more for these used than any other gear I own, but given as I still own them after 20 years, I consider them a bargain--just like the Merlin VSM series (used). I owned the VR22 for a while. No comparison at all to the VSA VR3.5. The VR3.5 are very rare and come up for sale only every 5 years of so. The VR3 is no where close to the sound of the VR3.5, nor are the VR4 series. Strength

Weakness: Sound a tad lean and benefit GREATLY by a super-tight sub. I've found small tight subs are best. Favs are VSA-S/1 or Rel T7i. The old Hsu cylinder TN1220HO and Hsu amp at 50 Hz combo is also excellent. In a large room, the VSA VR3.5 will need =/> 60W or 100W of SS power to shine (Ayre is great); 20W (tube) is OK in a small-med room. Will NOT match well with bright SS electronics; they love high power tube amps. I am not religious about cables. They were discontinued, I was told, because they were too pricy at the time and the high cost of materials did not allow lower pricing. Dedication to position them correctly will be greatly rewarded.

Spectacular speakers. Wonderfully transparent and natural. Superb mids. Superb highs. Not killer bass--but what is there (say 35 hz) is tight as a drum. Reveals all in the chain before it. These are not so well know and were discontinued soon after offering. They disappear (eyes open) with pinpoint, holographic imaging. Made for tubes, great with SS also (but did not like with Bel Canto eVo 200.2). Great with CJ-MV52 and other tube amps (QS-M60). Can do 2-ch home theater, which is ultimate test of imaging, if you know what I mean.

Rare song birds. Consider yourself lucky if you can find a pair of these slimy elegant units. Darn--they sound good. Been over 2 years now. Darn they sound good.

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