Effen Major Score today from my local S.A. Vienna Acoustics Mozarts!
- Thread starter GD70
- Start date
GD70
Lunatic Member
I haven't posted much about these. Due to a major kitchen remodel this summer, they stayed in the cave. I had to wait to bring them up to the living room once all the construction was completed. These replaced my AR-4x's as part of my TV "surround" system.
Anyway, These sound GREAT! They are fairly close to the walls, being rear ported, the bass is much deeper & richer than when they were in the cave. The highs are terrific, not harsh. With TV sound, amazing improvement over the AR's. Modern speakers for me (13years old), are very impressive.
This is a perfect example of environment playing a big part of speaker sound, in this case a major improvement! I also did a video, posted in the video thread a month or so ago.
Glenn
Anyway, These sound GREAT! They are fairly close to the walls, being rear ported, the bass is much deeper & richer than when they were in the cave. The highs are terrific, not harsh. With TV sound, amazing improvement over the AR's. Modern speakers for me (13years old), are very impressive.
This is a perfect example of environment playing a big part of speaker sound, in this case a major improvement! I also did a video, posted in the video thread a month or so ago.
Glenn
GD70
Lunatic Member
Hey David,
Yeah. I'm very happy with the swap. The 4x's are great little speakers, and we're very good in this setup, but it's really amazing how much better these sound in tandem with the KLH Fives in the setup.
They fit nicely in the room and have high WAF! She also is impressed with the improved sound.
Glenn
GD70
Lunatic Member
I haven't talked about these much, nor really sat and did some serious listening to them with just music in a while.
It was time.
I've been listening to them for the last 3+ hours and they are truly terrific speakers. I stated earlier they were overly bright. Nope, just very detailed, crisp, light and airy. Music genres from funk, to electronica, reggae, and live. They don't care which. Driving them with the JVC-AX-5 integrated. Can they party? I'd say yes, in a medium sized room they would do quite well up to a point. But they are really perfect for serious, eyes closed, listening.
Cheers all!
It was time.
I've been listening to them for the last 3+ hours and they are truly terrific speakers. I stated earlier they were overly bright. Nope, just very detailed, crisp, light and airy. Music genres from funk, to electronica, reggae, and live. They don't care which. Driving them with the JVC-AX-5 integrated. Can they party? I'd say yes, in a medium sized room they would do quite well up to a point. But they are really perfect for serious, eyes closed, listening.
Cheers all!
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GD70
Lunatic Member
Those are nice bookshelves! Are you the original owner? What finish are yours?
Seems like there's not too many VA owners here.
With more break in time they will sound better. Yes even used speakers need breaking in if sitting awhile and I know you know this, just stating it for anyone looking in..
GD70
Lunatic Member
They are in use regularly with the TV setup. I just haven't listened to them for strictly music for a while.
I see said the blind man.
Copa1934
My ears are bleeding
color = Beech. Yes I'm the original owner. They're in the original box at the moment. Just moved back to Washington end of November.
So much goes into having a good listening experience - fatigue of ears, time of day, mood, room acoustics, selection of music.
Often, a new addition takes a bit of work to fully enjoy. When I scored my LSA-1 speakers (look 'em up, fabulous little 2 way) I knew they were good.
It was only after about a year that I had that jaw-dropped moment, and only after a little placement and synergy experimentation.
But oh man, was it great when it arrived. Looks like these seriously gorgeous speakers have connected with you, GD
Often, a new addition takes a bit of work to fully enjoy. When I scored my LSA-1 speakers (look 'em up, fabulous little 2 way) I knew they were good.
It was only after about a year that I had that jaw-dropped moment, and only after a little placement and synergy experimentation.
But oh man, was it great when it arrived. Looks like these seriously gorgeous speakers have connected with you, GD
GD70
Lunatic Member
I certainly did. I always say it's stupid timing on some of my finds.
Regarding a modern speaker, they go surprisingly deep, and sound deeper than their spec sheet states.
Pulled off the web:
Description: Two-way dynamic loudspeaker.
Drive-units: 1.1" silk-dome tweeter, two 5.5" mid/woofers.
Measured crossover frequency: 2.8kHz. Crossover slopes: 9-12dB/octave, Bessel.
Frequency range: 35Hz-22kHz.
Sensitivity: 90dB/W/m. Nominal impedance: 6 ohms.
Recommended amplifier power: 30-200W.
Dimensions: 37" H by 6.7" W by 11.6" D. Weight: 44 lbs.
(without sand fill)
Serial numbers of samples reviewed: 4792/4326.
Price: $2500/pair (1997). Warranty: 5 years, parts and labor. Approximate number of dealers: 25.
Manufacturer: Vienna Acoustics, c/o Gansterer & Haferi, Lehnergasse 15, A-1235 Vienna, Austria. US distributor: Sumiko, 2431 Fifth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710. Tel: (510) 843-4500. Fax: 510) 843-7120. Web: www.sumikoaudio.net.
As a comparison:
ADS L980-Frequency range is 37hz-27khz
ADS 910's-28hz-20khz
AR3-31hz-20khz
AR12-36hz-30khz
AR11 27hz-30khz
An audio shop owner once gave me his opinion on one reason, why they design with smaller cone drivers, today. He thought they get more precise cone movement. And just add more drivers for bass area. A generalization for sure. And there are many great outliers.
My take: Must be a lot more to it. CAD, CAM, computer stress analysis and simulation software. Less costly trial and error building of prototypes.
When I had John at Ohm modernize my Ohm C2 woofer drivers, He told me they have learned a few things over the last 40 years.
Sorry for side tracking your thread.
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GD70
Lunatic Member
This all makes sense. Hearing systems at the NY Audio show last September, though some systems sounded amazing, many didn't blow us away as one would think. Every time I go to these events, when I get home, I immediately sit and listen to my setups and have to say, they are just about as good, and better than some systems at the show.
After I listened to the Mozarts, I went to the other room and listened to the same tracks on the AR3s. Right away I heard the difference, most notably the bass. The Mozarts can't compete there. The mids, highs and sound stage were slightly better with the Mozarts as expected, but the 3s are excellent and well balanced. The 3s have been fully restored including the mids being rebuilt by Roy C. which brings them to basically new output again.
Cheers, Glenn
GD70
Lunatic Member
Yeah, I was shocked to see rosewood veneer on the insides. These are matched cabinets. My guess is veneer on both sides gives the builders two choices for final construction. Which has the better, cleaner veneer grain.