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What don't you like about these speakers?

I will soon be able to audition the following speakers: Von Schweikert VR-2, Gallo Reference 3.1, and the Dynaudio Focus 220. My limit is $3000. I am not going to consider other speakers. I am not going to buy used. I want to support the retail audio shops. I live far enough away that I will have to drive 3 hours to Kansas City to a dealer who has all three set up. These speakers all get rave press and positives here, however, I am interested more in the opinions of those who didn't like them. I have Dynaudio 70s, which I like, but want to step up to an even better speaker. It's easy to get lots of positives, after all, we like what we listen to and have spent good money to buy. If there are specific problem areas, I would be interested to hear about them. Thank you in advance for your replies.
tgrisham
tgrisham OP
1,291 posts
 
I am very fortunate that my measurements of in room frequency response are +/= 3 dB across the range, except for a hump of 6-8 dB at 40 Hz. I am sure that is the room and where I sit. That is something that can be tuned with room treatments. Otherwise, the room is working well with difraction on the sides and quilts hanging behind the speakers. The only issue is how far away from the back and sides do Maggies have to be to sound right. Wish me luck!
bartokfan
664 posts
 
"I am not going to consider other speakers"...but why? Put them all contenders on the board. Thats how I do things. Process of elimination.
Good Luck.
tgrisham OP
1,291 posts
 
Bartok fan,

I understand your view, but it is difficult for me to actually audition speakers becuase there aren't enough shops nearby. Speakers are so individual that my ears need time to adjust and appreciate them. I am sure there are very many in the $3000 range that are wonderful, but I have to narrow it down to those I can compare. The other problem is side by side comparison, which is a must for me. My brain can't remember the subtleties of a speaker heard yesterday while I'm listening to another today. Luckily, Primus has all three (and more, such as Triangle) on display and can be heard side by side. It would be enjoyable to spend a week just swapping and comparing , but unfortunately work gets in the way. On the other hand, I can think of few things more enjoyable than listening to music all day long, reproduced by great equipment. Grab a pizza and a bottle of wine and make the most of it!
kkm
124 posts
 
Hi Tgrisham, I currently own the 3.1's and am a former Magnepan 3.6 owner. If you want a little more perspective see my post here, about 4 down:

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?t=25345&highlight=

To address mrtennis, the Gallo's aren't a box speaker in the traditional sense. The mid's are housed in a spherical enclosure without the boxy resonance and it has no baffles. The CDT II tweeter can rival the 3.6 ribbons in sound reproduction, just doesn't have the image height. The Gallo's will spit out detail in some music that seemed veil in the Maggies. Both are very good speakers and could live with either, but overall, I enjoy the Gallo's more.

Remember that the Gallo's require a lot of break-in, similiar to the Maggies. I don't believe that most speakers in dealer show rooms have the hours to break them in unless they purposely break them in. Let's say even if a particular speaker is audition by customers 2 hours a day, at 200-500 break in required, it'll take 3- 5 months to sound their best.
Good luck and have fun.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
if you have appropriate side wall treatment you can place magnepan speakers closer to the wall.

i would start out with 14 inches from each side wall and 4 feet from the back wall. since you can't place the speakers 4 feet from the back wall, do what you can. you may have to vary toe in/toe out to achieve the sound you want.

it's too bad we live so far away from each other (i assume).

i'm in the NY area. i would try to help in person if it were feasible.
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