VA Beethovens upgrade to Strauss experience/advice

Try listening to the new Beethoven Concert Grand, they make the old Beethoven sound broken. I heard them side by side with the Mahlers and they held their own, especially in the mid to high range. I must also mention that the bookmatched rosewood option is definitely worth the extra $500. Check out sumikoaudio.net for a description of the changes made.

I owned the Beethovens for a couple years, and upgraded to the Strauss about two years ago. I considered the Mahler's but the dual 10 inch woofers over-powered my room. My room is similar in size to yours (24L X 14.5W X 8.5H).
I think the Strauss was an definite improvement in almost all areas, low bass, mids, highs, soundstaging, etc. The family signature was similar, but the Strauss gave you more of everything. It's mid's were a bit more relaxed and effortless with the Scan-Speak drivers. I believe the tweeter is the same, but with additional coating/treatment. I don't know if it was the crossover or what, but the high's seemed to have more air, less congested.
As for the bass, this is the one area that was a split decision. The Strauss has better extension and power, but I do believe the Beethovens had a better upper bass, quicker, punchier, better attack. The Strauss sounding just a tad slower in the upper bass region. The Beethoven's didn't dig as deep or with as much authority in the lower or mid bass regions though.
It should be noted that I have not heard the newer Beethoven Grand's though.

Overall, I've very happy with the Strauss upgrade. Two years later, I'm not speaker hunting at all.

Regards,
John

The Strauss/Mahlers have much better dynamics and can play much louder without congestion. They also have a more transparent and accurate midrange, the Beethoven while soothing is a bit warm. They also project a larger and more holographic soundstage. As far as the bass, I tamed Mahlers for a room smaller than yours by using a great amp (Pass X-350) that can control the woofers, and using Nordost Red Dawn or similar silver cables to tighten the bass. Then you have the best of both worlds, extension impact and accuracy in the bass, dynamic range that must be heard to be believed, and silky smooth highs.

Sbrtoy,
Thanks for your response. I believe I read that you had to "downgrade" to the VR4jr. I have read so many positive comments about these speakers I am curious as to why you consider them a step down from the Mahlers that preceded them

The Vons are very good for the money, and are more accurate overall, and fit better in many rooms both for decor and sound. If your components are poor however the Von's will show it all, several others have noted this. For $4000 speakers they are more critical of electronics than most others, and I also "downgraded" from a Electrocompaniet EMC-1upSE to a Consonance CD-120, and trust me, the Von's will show you the sound of cheap digital even though the Consonance isnt a bad player, just not up to the EMC.

One thing that drove me crazy was the rear tweeter level, not because it didn't work, but because I putzed with it way too much, I am such a tweaker I couldn't leave well enough alone, and found myself constantly adjusting it. I am selling the Vons on here now, many people may prefer them especially if they don't have an amp that can handle the Mahlers. Tubes sound great with the Vons, not so good with Mahlers.

Remember also the Mahlers retail for over twice the amount of the Vons to be fair.