Boston Acoustics VRS Pro THX Surround Surround Speakers

Boston Acoustics VRS Pro THX Surround Surround Speakers 

DESCRIPTION

2-Way Dipole Surround - 5.25" Woofer and (2) 2.5" Tweeters

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 11  
[Apr 16, 2012]
Richard Knight
Audio Enthusiast

I just got a pair of white VRS Pro's at Goodwill for $5.35 each. Based on these reviews and my hooking them up and listening to them; I guess I did really well on buying these! The bass wasn't terribly impressive (which I didn't really expect based on the size) but the mid range and highs were very impressive. You just never know what is going to show up at Goodwill!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 13, 2010]
Kaysee.
Audio Enthusiast

I saw the 2009 commets and RyRob statements on the Boston Pro VRS. My comment is that the are great and are still great. Recently had to change my music enviroment so my beloved White VRS came down. I saw that they had value not sure what it is or where to try to sell them, great speakers for someone who can use them. Best suggestion on using them is to use a DB meter, they come alive when set right!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Oct 15, 2009]
RyRob
Audio Enthusiast

I bought a pair of used Boston Acoustics VRS Pro surround speakers kind of on a whim hoping they would enlighten me to the higher end side of speaker quality. So far despite them being used, I'd have to say I'm impressed. I have been slowly trying to step up how I listen to music by buying better quality sound equipment. Every time I'm at a party or visiting someone and they are listening to their music on junk speakers that are distorting like crazy I almost cant take it.

I hooked the pair up to a 2 channel Marantz receiver as mains (not what they are meant to be used for but hey I just wanted hear their overall quality) and I was excited about what I heard. Imagine every song you've listened too before sounding like you were right there with the band. I've listened to a lot of speakers and way most impressed by the separation, crispness and accuracy of the Bostons. The VRS Pros play with your ears making it feel like the sound is all around you and moving across a spectrum. I played instrumental classics from The Lord of the Rings, the latest by country artist Eric Church, some rock out piano action by Ben Folds and even dropped in some older jams by Dr Dre and Snoop. I'll have to say the dual tweeters on the Pros bring out just about all the vocals and upper midrange you could want and nothing blurs together. You hear every click of the stick on the drums and every breath the artist takes. The low end could be better and should definitely be paired with an sub with some punch.

I guess I'm describing these speakers from the wrong perspective/use. If you were using them solely for surrounds they would be more than perfect, but if you're using them by themselves they definitely need a sub for more substantial lower end performance. I bought the speakers knowing they were for surround sound use, with the intent of using them as my main speakers for a computer multimedia system. I guess I thought this way I would get some sweet speakers from Boston (in very beautiful enclosures) without going with a standard bookshelf speaker look/design. Plus you can find the Pros and the other VRS surrounds cheaper than their other VR main speaker counterparts. Overall win-win.

The pair feels very solid and are build well with great gold platted post connects.

If you want some good speakers from Boston without breaking the bank check the Pros out, they were industry top of the line when released and are built like a rock. As surrounds, they will dominate most other speakers in the category easily....easily. But, if you're hooking them up as a small set of mains for home desk use or something, pick up a 8" or 10" sub by Boston to compliment and you'll be set! Rock on!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 01, 2006]
esoley
AudioPhile

Strength:

Superior surround, dipole movie soundtrack performance. Envelops the listening experience without pinpointing the exact location of the speakers. Distinguished THX power handling capability or Lucas would not have accredited these stellar performers.

Beautiful in white as they literally disappear into the ceiling or side walls. Impressive styling -- a shame they are no longer being made; however, those very few of us that own these models take pride in our selective purchase prior to the frame maker going out of business. The VRS Pro's also are appreciating in value as these speakers were constructed to last decades without any degradation of performance or cabinet finish.

Weakness:

None noted. The THX certification says it all with regards to performance. The cabinet finish is superb. The VRS Pro's are robustly constructed.

The Boston Acoustics VRS Pro's are now discontinued. They are Lucas' THX certified and are an audiophile's "BEST BUY" for the money. Their dipole surround sound dispersion emulates the superior quality of speakers that cost three times as much. The white models are the most sought after as they disappear when placed against a white ceiling or rear walls. Since they are no longer manufactured, their price is destined to climb as they are indeed classic speakers with technology that will live on without being superceded. The only reason that Boston Acoustics quit this model is that the frame maker of these acoustic marvels went out of business. These same speakers would be quite costly to retool and sell today. If you can get your hands on a set, jump at the chance -- if for no other reason, the VRS Pro's are a great investment with escalating value in the very near future. Listen to a set played aloud at THX standards and turn off the front main three speakers just to capture the sonic quality and strength of these THX giants as they pump out realistic, diffused (dipole) movie tracks that envelop your senses. Play critical music and you will be amazed at the clarity and unlimited range of these speakers. Again, look no further than a set of VRS Pro's to finish your 5.1 or 7.1 systems (for rear side speakers). These speakers epitomize performance and monetary value combined. TRUST ME!

Customer Service

I have never needed to contact Boston Acoustics as the VRS Pro's have performed flawlessly -- likewise, my other Boston Acoustics products have never once failed. SOLID COMPANY with SUPERIOR HIGH-END PRODUCTS. Best value for the money!

Similar Products Used:

Polk Audio rear speakers - high end models; Cambridge Newton S300 rear speakers, and even tried Paradigm models. The Boston Acoustics VRS Pro's clearly outperformed all models tested in my home. I will say that the Polks were accurate; however, they did not stand up to the THX standards like the VRS Pro's.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 24, 2000]
Bryan
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Clear sound, Power

Weakness:

None

These speakers have added a whole new dimension to my Home Theater. They handle the power coming from my Dennon 3300 with ease. The diffuse sound makes it feel like I have several speakers all around me. I highly recommend these speakers if you can still find some. I got mine for $350(originally $500) because they have been discontinued. That is a great price for a pair of THX certified speakers. Get them while you can.

Similar Products Used:

Mirrage

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 03, 2001]
Chris Zephro
Audiophile

Strength:

Amazing deep surround sound, ability to take up to 150 watts, excellent in music and theater modes

Weakness:

None

I was so lucky to get a pair of these on EBAY. They have brought a completely new dimension to my home theater. The dipole design combined with their ability to take up to 150 watts of power, make them the perfect surround speaker. I have owned both the VR Micros and the VRS surrounds and the biggest difference I noticed with these is their deep voice, they play very low, down to 80Hz and they can play extremely loud and dynamic. In theater they provide a rear presence as if there were 10 speakers along the sidewall. In addition, they sound great in 5/7 channel stereo mode, surprisingly musical. Boston no longer makes these speakers because the company that provided the chases went out of business, but if you can still find a pair you won’t be disappointed. Also worth mentioning is that if you can get them in white, they will disappear into the walls.

Similar Products Used:

Denon 4800
VR 950's
VR 10
PV 800

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 04, 2001]
Rick
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great room fill, Easy to mount

Weakness:

Not a direct radiator or large for full bass...alas, tradeoffs...

All you need for a fantastic movie experience. Sometimes poor, sometimes great on 5.1 channel music CDs.


While these wer the largest of the Boston surrounds at the time I bought them, they are physically incapable of diving down low for bass. In this respect, the floorstanding NHT 2.1s were nicer but the Boston's still beat them at a surround speaker's main goal of ambience and fill.


For the past two months I've had my VRS in storage as I haven't had time to route the wires and mount them in my new house so the NHTs stay for now. I'm looking forward to get them hooked up to complete my all Boston system.


Pioneer VSX-24TX
Boston VR975
Boston VR920
NHT 2.1


By the way, I have NHT SuperTwos, a SuperOne, an SW2P powered sub and a pair of 2.1s for sale :)

Similar Products Used:

None bipolar-wise. NHT SuperZero, SuperOne, 2.1s for surround

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 20, 1998]
Chris Patterson
an Audio Enthusiast

Rounding up the review of products from Boston Acoustics Lynnfield series, I finally received the VRS Pro THX Surround speakers. The packaging was excellent, both speakers packed inside of the same box with proper bracing to prevent damage. Binding posts are the standard fare, accepting banana, spade or bare-wire connections.
The speaker itself is about 13" tall with a 5.25" driver and a 2" driver on one side and another 2" driver on the other side. The width is about 4" and the speakers stick out of the wall about 6.5". My speakers are mounted directly to the wall with the lower-edge exactly 72" from the floor. The speakers are 12' apart on the back wall of my room, with the 5.25" drivers facing each other.

I realize this isn't the THX way for surround speakers to be setup, but my room in no way came close to supporting that configuration. My sofa is 12' from the TV, where the center channel is above (@ about 5' from the floor). The mains are 7' apart, exactly 3.5' from the center of the center channel speakers. The surrounds are centered exactly with the mains and center channel.

Sound quality in this configuration: very good. Highs and lows work well and the speakers seem to handle a bit of power without being overdriven. The Sony amplifier has 110 watts to all 5 channels and that means these babies are getting some juice. They aren't as efficient as my main speakers, but there proximity gives them a little extra edge.

I think these speakers would perform better when setup to true THX standards, but in this setup that are quite acceptable and very clear. On DD5.1 tracks with major rear channel information, it is very clear. Desperado was awesome.


OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
[Jun 12, 2001]
louis caligiuri
Audiophile

Strength:

deep strong surround great highs even sound good in music

Weakness:

none

i just got these babies and they are a huge step up from wat ghetto sony sat. set up wit the set up i have now which is:

fronts: polk rt 1000i
center: polk 245ci
rears: boston acoustics vrs pros
subs: 10 high current jbl (2)
very nice speakers 5 stars

Similar Products Used:

polk atlantic tec.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 24, 1999]
James Nichols
an Audio Enthusiast

Listened to several surround speakers and when I upgraded our HT receiver to the Denon 3300 the difference was amazing. We have a 22 x 15 x 9 HT and these speakers deliver sound throughout the room. Now the sound comes at you from several sources rather than the line of sight (listening) my older Atlantic Tech surrounds delivered. In addition our bass desperately needed an upgrade but with the addition of the VRS I can put that off for a rainy day. I mounted them from the ceiling directly in line with our prime listening sofas and they visually dispappeared. I would highly recommended giving these a chance. You won't be disappointed.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
Showing 1-10 of 11  

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