Vandersteen 3A Sig vs. Von Schweikert VR4 Jr.

I DID listen to the VR4 Jr and Aggaffer's "dealer buddy" Vandersteens, and was able to easily draw my own conclusion on the two - I bought the Vandersteen's! The Vandersteen's are simply a more musical speaker, allowing me to focus on the music not the speakers.

The VR4jr were very nice, but so were the Totem's we spent some time with. In both cases, I was hard pressed to hear huge differences between these and the Paradigms I was looking to replace (grant it the Paradigms were not in the same room/listening session. Having lived with them for 10 years I knew what they sounded like).

I also was not overly impressed by the build quality on the VR4 Jr. One, they are to short and thin (to my eyes/taste), and two, the high gloss finish although pretty, seemed to mask some lower production value that the cabinets displayed.

Now most seem to think the 3A Sigs are fuggly, but I love the look, and so does my wife (she expressed no horror as the dealer "rolled them" into the family room, and actually to the dealer she liked them immediately!

Yes, my comparison was to the 2Ce Sig, and in this sense, unfair. However, I was basing this on the many, many comments from Vandy owners and Vandy dealers who have said the 3A was quite similar to the 2Ce, with better bass, a more authoritative sound, and more detail. Still, the same house sound, which to my ears, is lacking in a number of areas such as transparency, unraveling of complex musical threads, top to bottom coherency of sound.

I have to respectfully disagree with Agaffer and Dseid on this one.
I have auditioned both the Von Schweikert VR-4JR and the Vandersteen 3a Signatures in my home, with my system, and the JR's were superior in almost every aspect sonically to the 3A Sigs.,IMHO.
The VR-4JR's were more open, dynamic, transparent, focused, and simply more "alive" than the Vandersteens.
The bass was also more extended and powerful on the JR's [using the lead-shot].
The Vandersteens sounded a tad too warm, polite, and laid-back for me.
If I wasn't a die hard planar and ribbon speaker lover, I would enthusiastically purchase the Von Schweikert VR-4JR's without hesitation or second thought!
Angela

Audio girl - thanks. Your conclusion on the Vandersteen's seems to be the one I most often read. The 3ASig's won't knock you out right away, but over time (not so much break in), the "dynamic, tranparent, focused, and alive" qualities really are present. Because of this, and I know I hear these in my system, I purchased the Vandy's!

David

VMPS ribbon monitors may be the best choice. The speed and naturalism with acoustic instruments must be heard to be believed. It's a serious contender in your price category and at least two reviewers have bought the speakers they reviewed. Also Best of High end at CES for technology and value. The judges saying the 4600.00 retail speakers sounding as good as 20,000 dollar speakers they heard.
I suspect Selah Audio arrays are also a super bargain. Both of these are world class companies and build speakers that are Outstanding for the money. Ask Audio_girl how planars are with acoustic music. The Magneplanars are a great speaker if your listening room can accomodate them. Also the VMPS speakers use planar drivers. I would do as much research as I could before I pulled the trigger. Maybe try requesting for people in your area to let you audition their speakers on audioasylum, audiocircle.com and here. List what you're interested in after you do alot more research. This could give you a better idea of what they sound like. I had Vandersteen's and they are easily beaten for the dollar these days imho. Best of luck to you.