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Green Mtn Europa vs. Von Schweikert VR1

I notice that there were a couple of comments on these speakers and how the europa blew away the VR1 in side by side comparisons. I owned the europa for quite a while then sold them to buy the spendor 3/1p. I wanted a good sounding speaker with a great wooden finish and I think I did pretty well. But after a while the speaker sort of bored me and I sold them. I found a good deal on the VR1's through a dealer and purchased them sight unseen and unheard. Basically purchased them based on reviews. These speakers had a beautiful finish and the sound to me is lively and very open. They have very good detail and bass for their size. My question is , since I don't have the europa's to compare them to, what are the major differences. Bass has got to be one because of the size of the cabinets. The europa is much larger. I really did love the sound of the europa's and would have kept them if they had matched my decor. Just looking for some comments or maybe some persuasion to purchase another pair of the Europa's if they are really that much better!
wizard
megasam's avatar
megasam
798 posts
 
It is hard to compare speakers that you previoulsy owned with current speaker.....you are just going from memory which can often be selective.

Just to follow-up on what Songwriter said, in general terms the Europas would be great choice if you play mostly rock/alt music, they are forgiving and musical yet still capable of very good detail, a full natural sound. I really enjoy them overall, but other speakers do certain things equal or better at same price level.

The VR1 has more open detailed treble vs Europas, but will be less forgiving of poorly recorded material. On the other hand VR1s will present fine details that Europa can only hint at. I do play rock music with VR1 but have to make some cable changes warm sound up and dial back treble energy a bit. This is why I say VR1 ideally mates best with slightly warm to neutral system.

I tend to "collect" monitor speakers, have 4 pairs now and enjoy switching them in and out of my systems. Hate to sell great speakers that sound so good for such a reasonable price.
wizard OP
7 posts
 
Hi guys and thanks for your responses. Yes, I have had both and currently I own the VR1 which I purchased after the Spendor's. I do not have any speaker on order, but it has been a while since I have listened to the europa's having had the spendor's in between. It seems to me now from these responses, that they are both great speakers with different applications, based it seems mostly upon the treble extension of the VR1's. They are definitely a lively speaker and I like that. Totally different than the Spendor's. You can say I have had both and I should be telling you how they sound , but it is hard when it has been a while and you don't have a direct comparison. I also have different electronics than what I had with the Europa's. Just a general question and thanks again for the responses.
sedona
144 posts
 
There is a gentleman on Audioasylum that talked about owning a pair of the Europa's before switching to Source Technology 1.5wv -- he said the Source's were better in every way --- they cost half as much as the Europa's when purchased direct from Source if there isn't a dealer available.

The owner of Source, John Sollecito, has a great reputation in the audio industry and would be worth a call to discuss his products.
800 - 599 - 7558
No I don't have any financial interest in the company.
matt39
19 posts
 
"They are definitely a lively speaker and I like that."
You like the way they sound and you like the way they look. It seems to me that you found what you were looking for so why second guess yourself based on the opinions of others? Sure the Europa's are good speakers, you owned them and you know it, but the VR1's satisfy you with sound and looks so stick with your own judgement. It' solid.
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
I performed a home demo over a long weekend with the Vr-1s,Quad 12 Ls, and the Europas...Von S. and the Quads shared similiar characterics that others have touched upon...treble response was a bit "hot" with great clarity and "sparkle"...however...over time this can be very fatiguing...the Europas came alive in the midrange area...where 90% of your listening is performed...with a very holographic, spatial presentation...my friend described them as "atmospheric" compared to the others...they had a sense of realism and space the others simply lacked....especially on vocals and percussive instruments...however...QUadsand the Vons did have superior bass extension and definition...especially the QUads...but it was hard to get around that "liquid" midrange of the EUropas...the others seemed a bit "flat" in comparison...
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