Rear Ambience Driver Adjustment | Von Schweikert Audio VR-5 manual

pink noise “ball.” If your former speakers were placed close together to achieve center fill, try spreading the VR-5’s further apart. Their wide dispersion enables a larger sound stage.

*Note: if the speakers can not be separated more than a few feet due to room considerations, as in a video application, it may be necessary to toe the speakers outwards in order to gain a wide sound stage and reduce the tendency towards monophonic image focus.

TOE-IN

When placing the speakers further apart than 8 feet, try toeing them in towards you, listening for the “ball” to lock in. It really helps to have two people moving the speakers while you sit in the listening position, giving them orders. Toe-in is often critical, with only 1" movements being very apparent. When you have found the correct spacing and listening distance, you will immediately know it, since the image lock-in is very obvious. The pink noise will become a very strong “ball” of sound, floating in-between the speakers. Keep moving the speakers until you hear this ball of sound. As you move the speakers either closer together or further apart, and experiment with toe-in, you will hear changes that enable you to know if you are headed in the right direction.

It isn’t really difficult, it’s fun. Of course, experimenting with several types of placement schemes is valuable, for it will teach you how the speakers interact with your particular room. Only by careful experimentation will you find that “magic” sweet spot for your new VR-5 Anniversary system.

REAR AMBIENCE DRIVER ADJUSTMENT:

The VR design has a rear-firing ambience driver which adds depth enhancement and 360-degree timbre fill-in. When breaking in the speakers, leave the Spatial Dimension Control all the way up in order to break-in the driver fully. However, when optimizing the imaging using the pink noise test documented above, turn the ambience driver off by rotating the control fully counter-clockwise.

Once the speaker location has been determined, it is time to add some rear ambience. While listening to a variety of naturally recorded music, dial in successively more ambience, listening carefully to the change. If your rear wall behind the speakers is highly reflective, only a little ambience will be necessary if the speakers are fairly close to the wall.

In some situations, where the rear wall is highly reflective and the driving amp/cables are somewhat overly detailed, it may be possible that no rear fill is necessary nor desirable. If you hear “brightness” creep into the overall balance, it may be time to back off on the Spatial Dimension Control. In a room that’s fairly dead, with soft sounding gear, it may be necessary to use the Spatial Dimension Control fully on.

VR-5 specifications

The Von Schweikert Audio VR-5 stands as a true testament to high-fidelity audio engineering, attracting audiophiles with its impeccable sound reproduction and innovative design. This loudspeaker is part of Von Schweikert's acclaimed VR series, consistently lauded for its advanced technology and precision craftsmanship, which together create an immersive listening experience.

At the core of the VR-5's design is its unique three-way, four-driver configuration. This setup includes a large woofer, a midrange driver, and dual tweeters, each meticulously engineered to deliver a specific frequency range. The woofer is designed to produce powerful bass, capable of extending well into the lower frequencies, while the midrange driver excels in rendering vocal clarity and scale. The dual tweeters ensure that high frequencies are crisp and detailed, providing a sense of airiness and openness to the overall soundstage.

One standout feature of the VR-5 is its proprietary V-Frame design, which minimizes resonances that can color sound. This design innovation, combined with high-quality materials, lends the speakers superior structural integrity, ultimately resulting in more accurate audio playback. The use of advanced cabinet construction techniques, including extensive internal bracing, ensures that unwanted vibrations are kept at bay, allowing listeners to experience music as it was intended.

Additionally, the VR-5 incorporates advanced crossover networks that contribute to seamless integration between drivers. These crossovers employ state-of-the-art components designed to preserve signal purity and maintain phase coherence, further enhancing the fidelity of sound reproduction. The result is a coherent sonic image where instruments and vocals occupy defined positions, enriching the spatial characteristics of any recording.

Another key characteristic of the VR-5 is its ability to adapt to different room acoustics. Featuring adjustable rear bass ports and a customizable crossover frequency, users can fine-tune the speaker’s performance to suit their specific environment. This flexibility ensures that audio enthusiasts can enjoy an optimal listening experience, regardless of their space.

In summary, the Von Schweikert Audio VR-5 is a highly regarded loudspeaker that brings together state-of-the-art engineering, innovative design, and sophisticated technologies. With its three-way driver configuration, robust construction, advanced crossover networks, and room adaptation capabilities, the VR-5 offers an exceptional listening experience for even the most discerning audiophiles.