Schweikert VR4-Jr vs. Gallo Reference 3 with SA

1. I ended up with the Gallo's (may as well put it up front).

2. The SA is "vapor-ware": not yet available, may or may not ever be. The reviewed prototypes may or may not represent what is produced (I'm not negative, I plan to buy the SA when & if available...)

3. I'm most interested in mids: small group jazz vocals, saxaphone, etc.

4. I found that in a small room, the Gallo's performed more to my liking. You can read the reviews for the elegant prose, but I found the VS's sound didn't integrate well in small spaces (& nearfield listening).

5. I also found the customer service experience very very different--VS ignored all of my emails looking for a local dealer (I never ever heard back from them), Gallo answered in the same day... not looking for problems, but nice to know they at least read & respond to correspondence

6. Probably also amp dependent (I use a McCormack DNA 0.5 Rev. A).

Happy listening,
brent

Hi There,

Interesting - I spoke to the importer of Gallo here in South Africa and he said that the SA is coming along with the shipment of Ref III's which are expected in 2-3 weeks. Has them on preorder even I think. Perhaps they have made the 220V version (thats the voltage system used here) but not the US 110V?? Not sure really.

X

Bgrazman, can you elaborate on your room size (i.e., dimensions). Previous posts have indicated the VR4 Jr's were good for small rooms (I even think Rives said this) so I'm surprised you found they didn't work as well as the Gallo's. I haven't heard the VR4 Jr's but have heard the Gallo's and was impressed. P.S. If it wasn't obvious, I've got a small room.

I just happen to have both in house as we speak!
While the VR-4JR's are well broken in, the Gallo Reference 3's are not, as of yet. Once they are completely broken in I plan to do some direct comparsions with the help of a local audiophile friend.
While I obviously don't have the SA to complement the Ref 3's, I am using a separte 2 channel amp along with a 50hz filter to power the woofers second voice coil.
I personally would be very surprised if the Gallo's come out on top of this direct comparsion, but time will tell (the Gallo's should be fully broken in within the week).
For a twist, the winner of this comparsion will go up against a pair of Klipsch KL-650-THX :)

Geoh, do report your findings. It would be most interesting indeed because I happen to prefer the Gallo Ref.3. The ambience tweeter on the VR-4Jr sounds better on paper than in person. But then, unlike you I didn't get to hear them side by side in the same sytem.