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Von Schweikert "rear ambiance driver" revisited

After about 3 months of messing with this, I have found that the best setting for my very small room is a little over 1 on my Von Schweikert VR4 jr. From what I gathered, since there isn't much guidance out there is that any setting over 2 for even a large room can introduce brightness or too much treble (mainly from my dealer and a few others who have talked to me about it). You get the pinpoint accuracy and impression of more detail (due to reinforced high frequencies) when the "rear ambiance driver" it is turned up, but you soon notice that everything is bright or top end loaded.

Agree, disagree?

I just think there should be more guidance on what to listen for since it can sound great at a high setting but not as natural or as tonally(is that a word?) accurate as it should.

Rob
robm321
jtinn
1,124 posts
 
How many hours do you have on the speakers? If it is less than 600 hours, do not worry about it yet. I would leave them open fully so they will bvreak in quicker.

If you can endure :)
dlwask
270 posts
 
The front end of my room is pretty heavily treated and my VR2s are about 5 feet out from the wall. I settled in at 3.5 for the rear tweeter level on my VR2s. I feel it adds plausible depth to the soundstage and helps the speakers to "dissappear" a little better. I've had it as high as 6 while experimenting but it throws off the balance at those levels. Overall I feel the rear tweeter helps to enhance the performance of this speaker.

Curious to hear what others have to say on this. I know people who have it turned off, but their room dictates keeping the speakers almost up against the wall. That rear tweeter needs some breathing room.
mechans
3,048 posts
 
I keep my VR2s at about 5 they are 3.5 feet from the wall and are not too bright for me or my wife. They do help create the holographic sound no clatter or echo is noted by my audio friends. One famous Agon contributor thinks they even sound a little dull. He is on the otherhand a clarity meister. I am using an EL34 based amp with rolled Mullards etc. Also the CD player is Tube output. (also tubed with Mullards). Vinyl is rich and lush, this pair broke in beautifully really some of the best I've heard and has good synergy with the amp. I am breaking in some much more costly JM labs on my second system which will need time to sound as tonally correct!
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
I was led to understand that the rear tweeter should be turned up until the absolute focus is corrupted.That was relatively low on my VR-6s.A little of their magic was lost with that tweeter completely shut off.
robm321 OP
932 posts
 
"absolute focus corrupted" can you please elaborate?

With it completely off I've found it to be too sterile also.

Thanks,
Rob
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