2. speakers
  3. 1234117488

Von Schweikert VR2 vs. Totem Arro

I posted a thread a week or so ago about needing speaker recommendations for non-optimal placement in a small room. These are the 2 that were recommended to me. If anyone has direct experience with both (or experience with one of them in a non-optimal placement), I'd love to have your impressions. They'll be 5 to 6 feet apart along the short wall of an 11 x 13 room, near the back wall (18 inches), and one near the side wall (again, 18 inches), and I'll be 8 from them, centered between them. Rest of equipment is: Rega Planet2000, Adcom GFP750, Bryston 4b-nrb. Speakers I'll be replacing are Energy C6. Thanks. -Dave
dbw1
bluecirclehead
79 posts
 
I replaced my VR2s with a pair of Totem Forest. The back tweeter in the VR2 is very tricky and in my case, *very* similar to yours, affected the imaging big time. If turned off, the sound became dull. The Totems are in a different league altogether. The imaging is incredible.

I have only heard good things about the Arro and even some reviews regard it as being better than the -more expensive- forest. I'd go with Totem.
sufentanil's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
sufentanil
782 posts
 
The VR2 is a little on the warmer side than the Arro, which has a leaner sound. You may need a sub with the Arro if you require deep bass extension.

However, as mentioned above, the Arro images like no other speaker. It's holographic and life-like. The midrange and highs are remarkably clear, and the bass is actually not bad for a speaker its size. It's one of the best speakers I've ever owned. The Bryston should power it beautifully, although I think the Arro's sound even better with tubes.

The Arro's will also have more latitude for placement. You can put them just about anywhere in a room and they will sound great. The VR2's are more sensitive to placement.

Ultimately it comes down to your personal tastes, but my unquestioned choice is the Arro. As a side benefit, the Arro's keep their value well on the used market and should you ever decide to sell it, you will have 20 offers for it on the day you list your ad. That shouldn't be your only consideration, of course, but it's a nice bonus.

Michael
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,179 posts
 
Also consider OHM micro Walsh Tall. The largely omni design lends itself well to less than ideal placement within rooms

Check this agon thread for a wealth of info on Totem Arro versus OHM MWT specifically.

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1223044851&read&keyw&zzmicro+walsh+talls
headshrinker2
110 posts
 
While I am not familiar w/ the VR2's, I just purchased a pair of Totem Arro's. After listening to many, many speakers- including several other Totem lines- my ears returned to the Arros. There is something very special and musical about these little speakers.

Good luck w/ your decision.
More to discover