Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
All
VR-55 MkII Se
reviews
Manufacturer details
In it's standard configuration, the VR-55 MkII Special Edition is offered as a traditional and purely passive reference loudspeaker with extremely accurate linear response from the factory. But for those interested in achieving the optimum linear response in their room with the fastest, tightest and deepest bass possible, we offer the VR-55 MkII Special Edition Aktive version which incorporates our proprietary 800w R.M.S. Amplifiers.
With traditional passive speakers, the listening room will dictate not only where the speakers will need to be placed but also how good the bass will ultimately sound. With our VR-55 MkII Special Edition Aktive version, each channel incorporates a 800-watt built-in R.M.S. Amplifier between the woofer binding posts and the passive crossover network for the dual bass drivers. This allows the owner to decide exactly where they would like to place the speakers in the room ...
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Von Schweikert products utilize proprietary crossover designs, including their Global Axis Integration Network (G.A.I.N.), and Acoustic Inverse Replication (A.I.R.) to enhance staging and imaging.
- They employ a rear-firing "Ambience Retrieval System" with adjustable output, designed to recreate the spatial information captured in recordings.
- Von Schweikert speakers often feature custom-designed drivers, frequently sourced from Accuton and Scan-Speak, and modified to their specifications.
Select products
One Series
- Positioning: Entry-level line, designed for affordability and compactness.
- Description: Offers a compact, full-range experience with a beryllium tweeter and aluminum woofers, providing a deep sound field. Unlike the VR Thirty, it focuses on affordability and compactness, making it ideal for smaller rooms and budgets.
VR Thirty
- Positioning: Mid-range line, balancing performance and price.
- Description: Features ceramic honeycomb woofers and a beryllium dome tweeter, delivering powerful bass and detailed highs. It offers a more advanced soundstage than the One Series.
Ultra Seven
- Positioning: High-end line, designed for large spaces and dynamic sound.
- Description: Incorporates advanced driver technology and a hybrid bass system, offering exceptional dynamics and phase coherence. It surpasses the VR Thirty in room adaptability and sound quality.
Ultra Nine
- Positioning: Premium line, offering superior soundstage and detail.
- Description: Includes advanced crossover components and a ribbon super-tweeter, enhancing space and transparency. It provides a more immersive experience than the Ultra Seven.
Ultra Eleven
- Positioning: Flagship line, representing the pinnacle of performance.
- Description: Features eleven drivers and dual subwoofers, delivering exceptional dynamics and scale. It offers the most comprehensive soundstage and detail in the lineup.
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Used
Von Schweikert
What if you spend more?
Von Schweikert Audio is pleased to present our newest addition to our flagship lineup, the ULTRA 7 which began development nearly three years ago.
So what is the ULTRA 7? First off, it's an ULTRA model which means it shares all the sonic and structural DNA of our other ULTRA reference loudspeakers. In this instance, it's simply a different configuration of those previous designs that hopefully will be the "sweet spot" for some audiophiles in performance, aesthetics and ultimately budget. Extremely low distortion, class-defining clarity, three-dimensional image focus, and lush harmonic structure expected from these award-winning ULTRA designs.
Our proprietary network topologies G.A.I.N. (Global Axis Integration Network) and A.I.R. (Acoustic Inverse Replication) which deliver our signature driver integration, holographic imaging, tonal accuracy and overall award-winning performance; what we call, The Sound of Reality. Please note, these network topologies have benefited from ongoing iteration for more than four decades of development.
Our ULTRA line of exotic drivers. Each channel of the ULTRA 7 design incorporates the following: Front Facing - three 9" reinforced Ceramic Woofers, one 7" reinforced Ceramic Midrange, one Beryllium Tweeter and one Dual Ribbon Super Tweeter. Rear Facing - one Ribbon Super Tweeter and one Magnesium Horn Loaded Tweeter combined into our Rear Ambient Array.
MasterBuilt Audio Ultra Line of internal wiring comes standard on the ULTRA Line. Each signal path is individually shielded and damped with point-to-point connections. Designed by leaders in the Aerospace industry and made with rare and precious alloys. It's simply the most transparent signal path we've experienced.
Point to point hand-built networks with isolated architecture that protects crossover parts and wiring from electrical noise contamination (aka distortion). In other words, we don't crowd all the network components for woofers, midranges and tweeters onto a small, printed circuit board which looks very high-tech but ultimately creates distortion.
Version 2.0 Aktive Cabinet Vibration Control, eliminating cabinet resonances with new materials and layering techniques built on more than 25 years of iteration. A full set of our new proprietary LS Footers designed by Critical Mass System is included for the best loudspeaker isolation we've ever experienced. More to come on this product very soon!
Time Alignment, Phase Consistency, and adjustable bi-polar sound radiation pattern for room-filling sound. The ULTRA 7 design achieve full-range response from 18Hz to 60kHz with 94 dB sensitivity @ 1w/1m.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Extremely low distortion, class-defining clarity, dimensional imaging, staging, and focus
- Engaging full-bodied harmonic structure
- Versatile room placement, due to its proprietary room adjustment control suite
- Superior resolution, transparency, faithful tonality, and pitch definition across the entire spectrum
- Combined sonic signature described as the sound of reality
Product Considerations
- At $180,000 a pair, it is an expensive loudspeaker
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Von Schweikert Endeavor SE: The Endeavor SE presented a shockingly good illusion of reality in a large space, but could not compete with the Ultra 7 head-to-head
- Vs Von Schweikert Ultra 55 and Ultra 9: The Ultra 7 is positioned between the Ultra 55 and Ultra 9, sharing compelling features of both
Takeaway: The Ultra 7 is a world-class loudspeaker that delivers exceptional sound quality and offers versatile room placement. It is a premium product designed for audiophiles seeking the most articulate, authentic, and engaging listening experience.
Video review
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Detailed, exciting, dynamic, and transparent sound
- Vanishingly low cabinet coloration, contributing to speed and detail
- Lung-emptying, bowel-clearing, demolition-grade bass
- Bass integrates well with the rest of the frequency range for an integrated musical performance
- Voices have breath and contour, yet the result always retains a minimum of warmth
Product Considerations
- Room acoustics should be a strong consideration, as the BC150 reveals room issues
- Needs a lot of quality electronics upstream
- Requires firm control and ample current capacity from the amplifier
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The BC150 sounds more like a Burmester B38 with greater abilities to scale
Takeaway: The Burmester BC150 is a high-precision audio instrument that is both musically communicative and musically analytical, offering a detailed and transparent listening experience. It offers clarity and purity of sound, and brings music to another level.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The M3 is equipped with 4 unique 4.5" M-series speaker drivers. These drivers are connected in series in pairs so that one pair acts as a bass/midrange and another pair acts as a bass speaker driver. This approach ultimately results in increased speed, precision, and depth, which enriches the speaker with much more musicality.
The M3 and M6 are both offering the option of bi-amping, allowing you to feed the bass and midrange/treble sections individually. This not only provides sufficient power to each section, but also results in a cleaner, more precise sound.
The larger cabinet has also improved the ventilation behind the bass/midrange drivers. This provides less compression and thus a much faster and more agile speaker driver, which has a significantly positive impact on the overall sound image. Furthermore, the bass speaker drivers are equipped with a bass reflex section inside the cabinet, which ensures a dynamic and harmonious balance between midrange and bass.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The M3 presents music with an unprecedented degree of individuality and specificity, without sacrificing tonality, texture, or body
- Remarkable level of resolution
- Astonishing transparency and is resolute
- Accurate tonality and represents timbre faithfully
- Exceptional high-frequency detail and speed due to a planar tweeter
- Accepts only banana terminations
Product Considerations
- The planar tweeter misses the very last measure of extension, shimmer, and effortlessness accomplished by the very best available today
- Low-frequency extension was limited to the high 20 Hz, low 30 Hz range
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Magico M9, the M3 has recalibrated the resolution yardstick by which all other loudspeakers must be measured and compared
- Compared to Von Schweikert Audio ULTRA 9s, the M3 has recalibrated the resolution yardstick by which all other loudspeakers must be measured and compared
Takeaway: The Børresen M3 loudspeakers boldly represent the realization of striking potential in audio and push known boundaries. People who choose the M3 will enjoy a specific level of playback that is unavailable from other loudspeakers.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Open Gantry
Inspired by natural elements found in Utah one quickly sees more svelte lines in the Alexx V™ like the XVX. The exposed "skeletonized" architecture allows an airy and openness currently only found with the WAMM Master Chronosonic® and the Chronosonic XVX®. Given the open architecture gantry design, the gantry grilles are seamlessly attached via embedded magnets, allowing for quick and simple installation and removal. Alexx V's overall size is only 1" deeper and 1" taller than Alexx Series 1.
Process of Handcrafting Alexx V Gantry
Alexx V is an extraordinarily adaptable design. Carrying over elements from its larger siblings, such as the XLF reversible woofer port and independently adjustable modules, allow this system to be elegantly tailored to your listening room. These tools built into the DNA of Alexx V allow for greater ease of installation into a wider variety of listening spaces, thus permitting the listener to truly experience the depth and ability of this system.
Gantry
The open architecture gantry first launched with WAMM Master Chronosonic, followed by Chronosonic XVX, has now found a home with Alexx V. Not only does this benefit the overall appearance of the loudspeaker, but critically, it also enhances the overall rigidity of the entire upper module section and minimizes pressure trapped behind the enclosures, resulting in greater fidelity. Easier access to the upper modules makes for quicker adjustments. Similar to our innovative lighting solution (Sono 1™ from Coolfall®) featured in Chronosonic XVX, Alexx V has an illuminated cross brace at the rear of the gantry, which aids in speaker module setup and time-alignment fine-tuning.
Wilson Audio Acoustic Diode
Building upon the research and development of Pedestal, the Special Applications Engineering Team is excited to announce the Wilson Audio Acoustic Diode™ (AD Spike for short). At the heart of the Acoustic Diode is our proprietary "V-Material." This superior constrained layer damping composite is unsurpassed in vibration absorption and resonance control.
Energy from the enclosure migrates into the V-Material where it is faced with the effective damping properties of this efficient material. The mass of the loudspeaker concentrated onto the very small ends of the spike tips results in significant levels of PSI that prevent detrimental vibrations from traveling upward into the footer. Those vibrations that do travel up the spike are absorbed by the mass of the Acoustic Diode and have to travel through the V-Material to have a chance to influence the enclosure.
Keeping the spike and threaded post separate prevent a direct path for vibrations to travel, or interplay, and are therefore dissipated and absorbed in either the V-Material or the footer housing. This distinctive design, combined with advanced vibration-mitigating materials, provides the best of both worlds; a solid base from which the drivers can launch as well as preventing the transmission of energy from the floor to the loudspeakers.
Convergent Synergy Carbon
Alexx V features an entirely new Convergent Synergy Carbon (CSC) tweeter, which builds upon a modified version of the previous Convergent Synergy motor while embracing an outstanding and intricately innovative rear-wave chamber. This carbon fiber design is completely manufactured in-house using several 3D printers. The sonic results of this tweeter development cycle have been nothing short of dramatic. The CSC offers far greater and more linear high frequency extension while providing unprecedented ambient retrieval and superior harmonic detail.
QuadraMag
With the midrange band managed by two dissimilar sized drivers we opted to leverage the incredible advances of our Alnico (Aluminum, Nickel, Cobalt) QuadraMag® design. This 7" mid was originally developed for XVX Chronosonic and has a warmth, beauty, and texture that brings to life all the elements in your favorite recordings. The QuadraMag driver combines four separate magnets, arranged in an innovative quadrature geometry, further enhancing the delicate intricacies of the all-critical midrange reproduction quality.
Product Strengths
- Sublime image size and expansiveness, coupled with an ability to be driven as hard as your ears or your amps can take
- A sense of balance to the sound of the Alexx V makes renewal possible, expressive and articulate from the deepest bass to the highest treble
- Trickle-down benefits from the WAMM Master Chronosonic and Chronosonic XVX
- Bass performance is otherworldly
- The Alexx V has the ability to uncover and continue to deliver micro-details at extremely high SPLs, even after that slam of a transient
Product Considerations
- Some power behind the throne is needed, because the loudspeaker's impedance plot drops to two ohms at 250Hz
- The dome tweeter does sacrifice the last ounce of micro-detail, compared to the insane resolving power of the best diamond and beryllium drivers
- The choice of finish needs to be considered with care
- Cable management can impact performance
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the original Alexx, the Alexx V is a massive improvement—closer to a baby XVX in so many ways
- Compared to the Alexia 2, the Alexx V was more than a mere additive sum, a step-function improvement
- Compared to the Wilson XVX and WAMM Master Chronosonic, the tweeter is effortless and resolving by normal standards, but no match for the extraordinary levels of detail retrieval
Takeaway: The Alexx V offers a sublime listening experience with excellent balance and dynamic range that allows the listener to get closer to the music. It is a worthy contender for those looking to upgrade their listening experience.
Video review
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What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Unique design where form follows function, resulting in a contemporary and sleek aesthetic
- Incredibly tight, impactful, articulate, and controlled bass response with impressive dynamic power and clarity
- Seamless integration of midrange and tweeter via the M-Array, creating a virtual point source for maximum imaging and soundstage
- Exceptional clarity, transparency, and detail retrieval across the entire frequency spectrum
- Soundstage is incredibly wide, deep, accurate, and immersive with instruments placed precisely in a three-dimensional field
Product Considerations
- Significant power from amplifiers is required to perform optimally, with recommendations ranging from 200 to 1600 watts RMS
- The Hyphn is a large and heavy speaker, needing a decent-sized room and strong flooring
- Sensitivity is rated at 86 dB, which is considered low and necessitates high-power amplification
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sonus Faber: Hyphn has a far more forward-sounding presentation compared to the more relaxed and recessed soundstage of Sonus Faber
- Vs JBL Everest DD67000: Hyphn's bass is not as 'huge' as some monster high-end speakers like JBL's Everest, but it is tighter and more tuneful
Takeaway: Monitor Audio's Hyphn is a state-of-the-art loudspeaker with a unique design, delivering exceptional clarity, deep bass, and a wide soundstage. If unrestrained performance and a forward-looking aesthetic are desired, the Hyphn is worth considering for an immersive listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Enormously large soundstage and big-bore sound at party SPL without any sensible struggle, as if tailored specifically for large spaces
- Highly articulated pinpoint accurate sound that was as deep as it was spatially grand
- A broad arsenal of tools allows it to switch between these opposite profiles and their derivatives fluently and without fail
- The most refined treble that the reviewer had heard yet—exceptionally informative, remarkably smooth, nuanced, delicate, admirably extended and very sweet
Product Considerations
- A modest dress code doesn't quite communicate how costly it is, as many speaker sets priced lower look just as good
- Vertically aligned speaker posts a bit below this opening are flush with their plate and compliant only with banana/BFA-style terminations, which may be a con to some users
- Recommended amps are at least twice as strong, especially in large spaces
- Really thrives in large spaces
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Martin Logan Summit X: Instrumental and vocal outlines noticeably juicier, more three-dimensional, tangible, natural and further away from the listening seat
Takeaway: The Børresen M1 is a unique speaker that defies expectations, delivering an expansive and detailed soundstage typically associated with much larger speakers. These speakers can provide an exceptional listening experience if space and budget allow.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Impressive midbass solidity
- Remarkable fidelity at lower volumes due to the alacrity of its drivers
- Comprehensive and dynamic sound signature with plenty of detail and clarity
- The newly developed tweeter allows for faster response and a frequency range that easily extends to 28,000Hz
- Features a modular design, offering flexibility with passive, iTron active, and all-in-one wireless streaming versions
Product Considerations
- Integrating the Spacehorn subwoofers requires careful alignment
- High-quality source components are needed to match its performance level
- Some reviewers found that the iTron amplification did not produce the requisite bloom and musicality for classical and jazz music
Takeaway: The Avantgarde Trio G3 speaker is a top-tier audio system known for its exceptional sound reproduction and flexibility with different configurations. If you appreciate high-quality audio performance and aesthetics and want a sound system that sounds exciting and sophisticated, it is an excellent option.
Video review
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- An all-encompassing sound keeps listeners rooted to their seats
- A unique 360° sound wave design creates a natural balance of direct and reflected sounds
- A truly huge, yet meticulously crafted, soundscape is created
- Not physically evident in the aural landscape, offering a sound that seems to have no origin
- Integration of the woofer's and melon's outputs was far smoother than previous models
Product Considerations
- High-powered amplifiers capable of delivering ample amounts of current are required due to its insensitivity (around 80dB)
- Placement can be tricky, needing more space away from room boundaries than some rooms can provide
- The biggest problem has always been the audible lack of seamless integration between the bass box and the stack of omnis atop it
- A 'chesty, compressed, almost grainy midbass coloration' can be exhibited if placement and other factors are not optimized
Takeaway: The MBL Radialstrahler 101 E MkII loudspeaker offers a distinctive and immersive listening experience thanks to its unique omnidirectional design. It can fill the room with a natural and balanced sound, creating a captivating musical soundscape for the listener.
Video review
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Upgradable from older Model 7 versions, representing long-term value for owners
- Features a 'CounterForce Bass' system with opposing woofers to minimize cabinet movement and improve clarity
- Offers extensive bass adjustments for room integration, including 11 trim pots for precise frequency adjustments
- Time-and-phase coherent design ensures that all drivers move in unison
- Provides a relaxed ease and warmth that fosters musical engagement
Product Considerations
- Sensitivity is relatively low at 85dB, requiring a powerful amplifier to achieve its full potential
- Requires careful rake angle adjustment for optimal performance
- Bi-wire capable, the mandatory HP-7 filter costs extra
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs KEF KC-62 subwoofer: Both use counter-opposing force woofers to stop cabinet movement
Takeaway: The Model Seven XTRM is a technologically innovative speaker designed for music lovers. It offers powerful bass, harmonic beauty, and exceptional tonal realism, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a high-fidelity audio experience.
Video review
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