You name it

can't think of any now...well ok, had to wait too long to get them

I wasn't going to write a review this early after buying this speaker, especially since these speakers are not yet fully
broken in. Also, my front end is "down and out" for the time being (Rogue, VAC tube amplifiers) and I am being
subjected to a solid state integrated (Linn Majik) borrowed from my next door neighbor (Thank you Bob-I owe you one!).
Yet even more inconvenient, one of the twin aluminum coned Super Duty woofer cones is rattling a bit. I called Albert,
and he's already "on it" for a fix.
Nevertheless, what prompted me to write despite the above was a revelation which just occurred. Last night I saw
Ottmar Liebert in concert, something I do whenever he's in town. Dave Bryant, one of the percussionists, sits on a
drum which, when played, has always irritated me a bit. I have always found the sound to be inappropriate for the
band's sound. Well, tonight, one night after hearing him live, I heard it in my living room. For the first time in ten
years, it elicited the same response in my home as it did live in a concert hall! I was so suprised to hear it this way,
that I went back and played it again several times. To my chagrin, the VR-5 is uncanny in its recreation of this sound.
It is already clear to me that something magical is at work here with the VR-5. I am hearing things that I have not
heard before in my living room, and in a way that I have never heard outside the concert hall. I applaud Albert for his
design, and am almost happy that the flood in New York brought him out to California to design this speaker (although,
I'm sure this caused him and his family a great deal of stress).
The above list of speakers I have either owned in the last ten years or extensively auditioned for the last 6 months.
I'm glad I was introduced to The Von Schweikert Line (Thank you to Mark S.), since none of these speakers, for me,
have recreated what the VR-5s do. I look forward to the return of my tube electronics, a complete break-in of the
speakers, the repair of the woofer, and more time to critically listen to these speakers. I hate to think what the VR-7s
sound like! I will write in again with a more detailed review.

Similar Products Used:

B&W 803, 802, Ariel 10T, Revel Salon, Hales Sytem Two, Silverline Panatellas II, Sonatina, Sonata,ProAc 3.8, several top Avalons...

Accurate, quick, delicate but guttural punch when needed. Choice Drivers(proprietary), Hovland caps, crossover network, cabinet damping, gorgeous finish, ambient rear tweeter, biwirable, large heavy magnets and inductors.

Absolutely none

First, the post below,, "Kris", please don't consider or compare the Von Schweikerts based on a review of "like" drivers. That post does not qualify to be mentioned on this review site. Kris,, find a Madisound review site,, not a Von Schweikert review site to post your feedback on Madisound "driver"s.
I am the proud owner of many of the new Von Schweikert speaker line-up and must say, the VR5 HSE Reference speakers can only be bested by the VR7 References. The 5's are simply sensational and should be considered a steal. The dimensions make them easy to place in most any room, the fit and finish is first rate. The sonics are startlingly real, throwing a large and transparent soundstage that immediately engages the listener. The drivers are well integrated and balanced. Anyone looking to spend up to 20k should seriously audition the 5's. See the website www.vonschweikert.com for more info and reviews. Simply outstanding. For those looking for a very similar sound but, costing far less,,, the VR3.5's at less than 3k are a wonderful alternative

Similar Products Used:

Wisdom, Wilson, B&W's, Alon, Sonus Faber, Piega, ML's, Vandersteen, you name it,, I compared them all at last CES

Imaging and soundstage

none

If one is looking for a speaker in the 7 to 10k range(depending on finish and upgrades)one need not look further than the VR5.Finally the marriage of the famous European mid and high end sound has been consumated with the bass from America.Having listened to a good deal of speakers in the last five or so years,I can assure you that this speaker is a winner.The cabinetry work,construction are all first rate.

Now as for the sound;Having owned to the entire line of Vr series,the VR5 is a huge jump up in sound quality.A great part of the change is the addition of new tweeters,and midrange speakers.I think one would be hard pressed to honestly hear a diiference from a Planar,or ribbon speaker and the VR5.That is how smooth the mid and highend is.I know of no coned speaker that matches the sound quality of the VR5.

With the upgraded woofers,the bass is tight and accurate.A good test I use is the Mark Knophler,album,track 10.On many speakers I have listened to, everything is muddied and there is absolutely no distinction in instruments.Mind you ,this includes a famous brand 20k speaker that could not keep up with this track whatsoever.

Bottom line is,Von Schweikert has a winner here.Do yourself a favor;before buying any speaker.make sure to auddition the VR5.Info on this speaker and the VR7 can be found at www.vonschweikert.com.

Similar Products Used:

Aerial 10t,Vr4.5