Topic: B&W DM602 S3 v VSA VR-1 - using an Arcam a75

[terrapinj]

Been looking into grabbing some speakers for my arcam for a little while now and have finally decided on either the B&W 602 or Von Schweikert VR-1. I live in an apartment so these are pretty much as large as I want to go and both fit perfectly into my budget used. I am leaning towards the VR-1s since they have a slightly better lowend response 40Hz v 49Hz for the B&Ws. The only thing I am unsure about is the fact that the B&Ws can be bi-wired but the VSAs cannot - will this make very much of a difference (my amp is also capable of biwiring)? Other concern is the Power Handling: VSAs state 100 watts continuous music (200 watts per channel peak). the B&Ws are 25W - 120W. My Arcam a75 provides 50 watts per channel, will this power the VR-1s sufficiently?

Thanks

[cshepherd]

If you don't have a set of bi-wire speaker cables, the VR-1's single binding post design is a bonus.  The metal jumper plates used in speakers with two sets of binding posts do not have good sonics.  I question the necessity of two sets of binding posts on a $500 set of speakers.  In all likelihood, those in the market for speakers of this caliber are not going to want to buy a second set of speaker cables for bi-wiring. 

50 watts should be plenty for the VR-1's in an apartment.  I would recommend checking out the Rega R1's if you have the opportunity to do so (they also use a single set of binding posts).

Chris

[terrapinj]

do you have any specs on the R1s? i can only seem to find dimensions and power handling. im particularly curious about the Freq. Response. Thanks for the response.

[cshepherd]

The R1 is flat 70Hz - 20Khz in an anechoic chamber.  When placed close to the wall (less than 12"), the bass is quite tuneful without being muddy in the midrange.  The R1's are designed for close placement to the rear wall...or even hung on the wall with Rega's wall mounts.

Here's the whole lineup:

R1 70Hz-20Khz
R3 60Hz-20Khz
R5 40 Hz-20Khz
R7 30Hz-20Khz
R9 30Hz-20Khz

Chris

[Nick's Picks]

I'll chime in to suggest checking out the Epos line.  cheaper than your other options, and they'll hold up.
Hindsight...I should have kept my m12's over the VR1s I sold them for.  The Epos's were way more fun to listen to.

[terrapinj]

I'll chime in to suggest checking out the Epos line.  cheaper than your other options, and they'll hold up.
Hindsight...I should have kept my m12's over the VR1s I sold them for.  The Epos's were way more fun to listen to.

wow - I totally figured you would be chiming in about the VSAs - how is the low end on the m12s? Im trying to get by without a sub


VSA has a B-stock pair of VR1s right now on their website fro $540 so thats why i was also leaning that way. the 602 and VR1 seem to come up used more frequently as well, which was a factor. since i sold my 2nd bodies and have the money i'm fucking jonesin now 

[BobW]

I love the VR-1s with the JoLida 502b feeding them. Silky, and less need for room treatments.
Def have my sights on the sub, but with very careful placement the bass is surprizing.

Possibly the best "low-end" speakers that I've heard since the Dyna A25XLs

[Nick's Picks]

the bass of the epos m12.2 was way deeper and tighter than my vr1s.  and they are rated at a much higher responce than the VSAs, but I think its just a more "realistic" measurement.

they were tight and punchy as hell.  no sub would be easy in the right room.