Von Schweikert, Rockport, Magico

[ricjor1]

Greetings,

I'm considering the following as my last speakers before retiring: Von Schweikert VR Thirty, Magico S5 mk3, or Rockport Lynx. Has anyone listened to all of them? If so, how do they compare? I have an L-shaped room...front wall is 20' wide, length is 26', rear wall is 25' wide, 8' ceiling. I will eventually try to hear all of them, but wanted some initial feedback. Any other speakers below $90K that I should consider?

 

[GSOphile]

Zellaton Plural EVOs getting a lot of praise in this forum.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...I have not heard all of your speaker comp list, so discount accordingly, @ricjor1 however, the Von Schweikert VR30s and also the VR50s are excellent. Excellent.

Knowing the new 30s were debuting last CapFest, I made a plan to hear them. I spent about five hours in that room, and they were fab.

I spoke at length with Damon Von Schweikert, Gary Leeds and Steve Norber, designer/co-designer of the new 30s. Friendly and knowledgeable guys.

I expected to buy a pair of the VR30s. But, when I thought more about it, considered my room, I thought I might prefer the 50s!

So I piggy-backed a trip to Long Island with my wife's science work in NYC, and spent three or four hours listening to the VR50s at the dealer New Life Audio in Islip.

A couple of friends met me there and we had a heckuva good time. On the way home, we all agreed the sound was exquisite. Very tasty.

That demo made me really jones for the VR50s. I imagine I would have been very happy with the 30s, but no kids, no crack habit...what the hell.

I bought the VR50s. I *think* they would be within your budget, and I *know* they would be worth considering, as would the VR30s for less money. You could reach out to @gleeds with questions, if interested.

Good Luck with your project! I had a ball chasing the VSA speakers down to demo.

 

[ricjor1]

Thanks for the responses. I hope to listen to Von Schweikert and Magico speakers in the next few weeks. It's a little harder to listen to the Rockport Lynx speakers.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...btw: the VR50s replaced Magico A5s. Clearly not S5s, but...

 

[SOS]

In Munich this year I heard the Von Schweikert and was impressed. Friends in my area own several Magico speakers, the S2 around 37K to the M3 around 90K plus. Both to my ears have no life, yes even sounding top to bottom but nothing I'd ever consider myself....YMMV.
PS: Many years ago I heard the Magico Mini's and thought those were very special.

 

[Zuman]

I have heard all three, but not with the same ancillary components. Each is an extraordinary achievement.
The attribute that sold me on VSA is their amazingly-generous listening sweet spot, both tonally and imaging-wise (which is a familial trait shared by the brand’s products). I frequently listen with friends and/or family, and the ability to experience first-class music in a more social setting is something I value highly.
Also, while I’m not sure I place much stock in this, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say “I didn’t really care for them” after listening to any of Von Schweikert’s present line. I’m not sure I could say the same about many other brands.

 

[thedudeabides]

I have heard all three, but not with the same ancillary components. Each is an extraordinary achievement.

How does the OP take this (as well as the different rooms) into account when considering the various comments / insights?

 

[Doc76]

I heard the Magico S5 mk3 in a friend’s system a couple weeks back and it was excellent. Fantastic bass, mids, and highs. Exceptional IMO. I’ve heard VSA at shows and haven’t been impressed, but it was show conditions …

 

[Amamoy2]

I have another thread in the Rockport forum asking similar question. Lynx vs S5 2024. I will be at Goodwins next week and listening to those two speakers back to back in the same room w same equipment. Happy to revert back w my observations. I am a current original S5 owner and I have spent significant time listening to the Rockport Orion. Unfortunately, Orion a bit out of reach right now as that is where I would likely go. I have not heard the Lynx. I have a largish room. 20x20 with vaulted sloped ceilings (prolly 20 ft max) so the ability of the Lynx to pressurize the room is a big consideration for me.

 

[ricjor1]

I have another thread in the Rockport forum asking similar question. Lynx vs S5 2024. I will be at Goodwins next week and listening to those two speakers back to back in the same room w same equipment. Happy to revert back w my observations. I am a current original S5 owner and I have spent significant time listening to the Rockport Orion. Unfortunately, Orion a bit out of reach right now as that is where I would likely go. I have not heard the Lynx. I have a largish room. 20x20 with vaulted sloped ceilings (prolly 20 ft max) so the ability of the Lynx to pressurize the room is a big consideration for me.

Amamoy2,

I'm right with you regarding pressurizing the room. In addition, I like speakers that can portray height and smaller speakers don't always do well with height. I'll send you a PM through this forum with my number.

 

[Amamoy2]

I have asked Goodwins to set up both speakers in their large room to somewhat get a feel for how both can fill a larger space vs a room smaller than mine…. Imperfect science but the best I can do to simulate.

 

[gleeds]

Ric, all speakers under consideration are well-engineered and excellent. Andrew Quint's review of the Von Schweikert VR.thirty (I believe in the April/May issues) includes his notes comparing the speaker to his Magico M2s and Magico subwoofers, which may be helpful.

As for room pressurization, both the VR.thirty and VR.fifty can easily pressurize a large room. What is the size of your room, and how would you describe it?

Von Schweikert's are unique among the current cast in their ability to equalize bass output depending on distance from the rear wall and balance the bass output between left and right channels in asymmetric rooms, thanks to their on-board Foundation bass management system.

 

[ricjor1]

I have an L-shaped room...front wall is 20' wide, length is 26', rear wall is 25' wide, 8' ceiling.

 

[ricjor1]

I'm going to listen to Von Schweikert VR 30s and Acora SRC-2s next week.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

...please post your impressions if you get a chance. I do like the look of those Acoras. Sounds like fun!

 

[HenryD]

The current S5, objectively, and value for money, no contest. Do yourself a favor and listen to them before making a decision.

 

[ricjor1]

The current S5, objectively, and value for money, no contest. Do yourself a favor and listen to them before making a decision.

I sent you a PM.

 

[Ron Resnick]

The current S5, objectively, and value for money, no contest.

Objectively?

 

[gleeds]

The current S5, objectively, and value for money, no contest. Do yourself a favor and listen to them before making a decision.

Hmmmm.....