Vandersteen VLR Wood ..any love for these?

I have mine filled with rice, seems very inert.  Are your first impressions of the VLRs still holding?  Currently have a pair of Silverline Minuet Supreme Plus that I will be replacing.

still holds, i really like them a lot , now trying  to work my Vandersteen 2WQ with them. these are the speaker i would get if room was paramount, they do sound awesome by themselves with the music i listen to. they really sound like the go lower than the specs say. i am a pro drummer, the tone of the kick comes thru nicely on them, cymbals have the right amount of decay and shimmer, the snare drum , you can tell if its a metal or wood drum very easy. i really do like them...a lot

Do you guys know what the difference is between the 'wood' version and the older VLR? They look totally different. I have a beat on the older version that looks like a box with the stocking around it. Are these any good for the same type of setup? Close to the rear wall?  Anyone compare the newer VLR wood to the prior VLR?  

Unless they are super cheap (under $500), I would wait for a pair of VLR wood.Mr. V. constantly upgrades the innards, so the more recent edition will have the most current sound (compared to new).
B

Older pair is in the VCC type cloth wrap design discontinued over 5 years ago a nice pair of speakers for cabinet mounting but mostly needs a woofer.

 The Newer Wood finish VLRs are the ones to find as they can be used by many without a Sub with close wall positioning, on a stand, bookshelf or in cabinet works well in both applications.

 Where VLR design excels is its lighter mass faster drivers,
 Time coherence allows the music to feel more the way we hear in nature disappearing into the room while preserving the overtones. Its percussive shots are more meaningful with live music lending a sense of realness rarely found in this range.

Its also quickly apparent how this design wisely avoids the typical, amazing bass bump, Wow man is there a sub in the system that robs the listener of the musics midrange richness and sophistication so typically found with other smaller box designs with their bass bump, mid-suck out and bleached squeaky clean approach that the average guy accepts as clarity.

I remember a 4 K pair of ATCs coming in on trade for the Wood VLRs with the comparison playing Sonny Rollins Sax and later Nina Simone's voice with AQ, an Ayre or Belles integrated just very seamless.
 Many Kef 50 owners after hearing the VLRs mention wish they had heard these first.
 Take a listen....
 Best JohnnyR