Von Schweikert VR4JR Set Up

Aball, what exactly do you mean, when you say "out of focus"? In my system they image rather well. Often times when listening to 2-ch. recording I have to get up and make sure that center channel is off. The center image is unbelievably stable and life-like, so is the image depth. On some well-recorded uncompressed material you can swear musicians are right behind the curtain covering the screen on the back wall and speakers "disappear" almost completely. Interestingly enough, on many older recordings the "imaging" is not all that good.
My speakers are well away from the back wall (7 ft.), exactly 1/3 of the room length, and the same distance apart. I'm still experimenting with the toe-in, but I have to say, that VR-4 JR's are not very sensitive to the toe-in, at least image-wise. Now I have mine with very slight degree of toe-in (5-10).
Again, YMMV. Regards.

I have mine setup in a 14 x 22 x 16 foot high (cathedral ceiling) sloped down to standard 8 foot height. I have my speakers on the 14 foot wall about 8 feet apart. I have them toed in considerably, left speaker hitting my right shoulder and right speaker hitting left shoulder. Imaging, soundstage and focus are incredible. I am definitely experiencing the ball of sound (3d imaging). The thing that has me perplexed is these speakers are so dam revealing that I am finding it diffucult to appreciate a CDP that I can live with. What is a good smooth CDP with good detail? Except for a couple mega buck CDP's I have auditioned in my system everything under 5K has sounded etched and mechanical. These speakers do need excellent components, that is the only frustration...otherwise they are comparable to the best I have heard.

good listening.

For gosh's sake, call Von Schweikert and ask!!!

I have had several set ups in my small room, and it's been a year of experimenting (still not sure what is best). But at certain setups they do sound amazing. Lack of focus is not the fault of the speaker. I recommend breaking them in more. I think because of the room size 8' apart is not possible unless you use a diagonal setup. You need to get them into the room and your listening position into the room as well (away from the walls). Hang in there though these are not plug and play speakers. They are designed with the room in mind and use the room to get the right sound. You will have to find the magic spot. Then when all that is done the rear ambiance driver can come into play. It will pay off though. Finish the break in though. 300+ hours.

Good Luck,
Rob

Thanks for all the feedback. I have continued to experiment with placement, especially the toe-in, and seem to be making progress. I did speak with Kevin at VS and he mentioned that break-in should not have an effect on determining the placement. Nonetheless, I am going to continue to break the speakers in before really fretting over the placement.

Despite the placement trials, I must say that I am extremely pleased with these speakers. They are very revealing, but I do not think so much that it detracts from the enjoyment of the music. However with good recordings, these speakers disappear and completely surround you in music. Even my wife, who has thought all of this hobby to be nuts, is spending time with me in our listening room just chillin’ out and listing to music.