B&W 804s vs. Von Schweikert VR4jr

I can't see anything major that could have been done to S series to justify price based on improved performance.IO sold B&W for 6 years and left just before the S and D series came out.if you have the room just go out and get a pir of 803N's which have much bigger sound stage width,height and especially depth plus a coherence that the 804 just didn't have .I lsitened to these apeakers daily.used it will be $3500 for 803 but prices have dropped to $3K price.You'll need 200 watt the bter quality the better or if tube amn 100 wats like Arc VT100 Mk.II or Rogue 120's,Quicsilver VR4's etc (all good values).Hybrid amps,class D whatever because even though the nomminal load is not low and they are rated 90 db efficient they have a nasty impedance drop so crave curent.Good 200 watt need now cost and arm and a leg these days.I used a 300 wat Adcom GFA 5802 (modded caps realy improved it) and it was great.Played them with Krell in showroom and the bas traction was superb but mids were ebter with other amps.If you have small set up )100 solid state or less than 80 wats tube)I'd go here the Von Schweikerts.Their a fine speaker and maybe the nter of the two.It's close.I am BTW also a fan of Audio Physic (used) and Spendors (8's or 9's).If you want to spend less and know of a Quad dealer you''ll really be inmpressed with Quad 22L.Hell of speaker for the money with that Brit sound and not the high prioce of Harbeth,ATC etc.Used 803's if you have room and amp will be way beter than new 804S's.
G'luck
Chazzbo

I compared them both, separately, at local dealers and bought the VR4JRs. They surpassed the 804s in natural realism and were just more musical-sounding, yet detailed, dynamic and transparent; great imaging and soundstaging. A phenomenal speaker. Much, much more involving then the 804. Very revealing; every systemic upgrade and tweak is clearly noticeable with the VR4JRs. The 804s sort of blast nice sound at you, while the VR4JRs envelope you in music.
But, you must load them each with about 40-50 lbs of lead shot and spike them to optimize performance. And, they take about 500 hours to break-in properly - but it's worth the wait.

Chazz, the 804 only went up in price by 500 bucks. That's without a price increase over the life of the Nautilus line. With the upgraded crossover, the upgraded tweeter and no price increase in about 8 years, I would say that 500 bucks isn't so bad.

As a follow up, do any of you see an issue with these speakers and room size? The room is 25L x 20W with a cathedral ceiling about 25ft at it's peak. I'm assuming that the VR4jrs would be able to adequately fill this room given enough power.

Jgiacalo - what are you using to power your speakers?

Thanks for your input. Jgiacalo suggested what I kind of assumed based on my experience with the two brands.

These are two very different sounding speakers, especially when you factor in the VR4jr's rear "ambience" tweeter which depending on level makes it a much more back of hall perspective versus the 804 which tends to be more forward. I have not spent much time with the newer D series, but I would agree I always found the old 803 to be far superior to the 804, much more so than even it's price increase would indicate.

In this price range try to listen to the Dali Helicon series, I think you may find you like them better than either of those mentioned above and they are defnitely finished better than either with a high gloss laquer. The B&W's are ok, but the VR4jr's finish is mediocre with no gloss and little depth to the wood.