RIP - Albert von Schweikert (03/13/45 - 05/29/20)

[StimpyWan]

I just read that Albert von Schweikert passed away. A sad day, that brings the loss of another pioneering audio designer. While I've never yet had the pleasure of hearing a von Schweikert loudspeaker, they've been on my radar for a long time.

My condolences to the family. R.I.P.

Oh, he and I share a birthday, but not the same birth year.

 

[hjames]

Darned - such a shame. From Damon's obit on facebook, Albert sounds like quite a guy.
I've told this story before, but its my memory of what a friendly, giving man he was ...

A few years ago I bought a used pair of ancient Von Schweikert VR4s from JJohnson here.
I wrote to the company and explained that I wanted to remove the black paint to reveal the wood underneath
and wanted to learn more about how to take off the cap and footer. I wrote to the company email asking for info.
The next morning Albert himself wrote back and sent me a copy of the owners manual and expressed enthusiasm for my project!
He wasn't going to make a nickle off my project - and had moved on to building high dollar systems for the big audio shows (Capital AudioFest).
But - I was just awed to hear directly from him. Exceptional customer service and just a very giving man.

He will be missed.

 

[Ds2000]

R.I.P.

 

[toxcrusadr]

Always sad to see another great name in audio go to the great beyond. Enjoy the music and RIP.

 

[trinhsman]

Darned - such a shame. From Damon's obit on facebook, Albert sounds like quite a guy.
I've told this story before, but its my memory of what a friendly, giving man he was ...

A few years ago I bought a used pair of ancient Von Schweikert VR4s from JJohnson here.
I wrote to the company and explained that I wanted to remove the black paint to reveal the wood underneath
and wanted to learn more about how to take off the cap and footer. I wrote to the company email asking for info.
The next morning Albert himself wrote back and sent me a copy of the owners manual and expressed enthusiasm for my project!
He wasn't going to make a nickle off my project - and had moved on to building high dollar systems for the big audio shows (Capital AudioFest).
But - I was just awed to hear directly from him. Exceptional customer service and just a very giving man.

He will be missed.

The whole family is like this. I had wanted to try and pull off a set of their Endeavor MKii Speakers. I had heard them in Atlanta at the dealer I frequent. The dealer had a demo pair, but sold them before I could jump. I contacted Von Schweikert about some of their speakers they sell only online. I think they are the VR-22.

Damon emailed me and told me to give him a call. I did and we spoke for over an hour. We went over the type of room I had, etc. He felt the Endeavors would be a better match. Gave me a decent price, but when tax and shipping were added, I still didn’t feel safe doing it. He was gracious and said he understood. Thanked me for doing business with the dealer I go to in Atlanta just the same.

Ultimately went with a set of Tekton Double Impacts. I got the same treatment and service at

I’ve also talked with Pass Labs on an issue I had with my amp. Same amazing treatment.
You gotta love the smaller American companies. They care about the customer. IMHO.

 

[StimpyWan]

A good article in The Absolute sound.

 

[Kevin D]

RIP.

 

[GordonW]

I only got to meet Albert a few times- but I always got the feeling that he, and my own father (RIP also) would have been kindred spirits in some ways.

My Dad never got the chance for college education in the way Albert did- so his knowledge base was different, and gotten in different ways- but both seemed to be the "soft spoken teach-by-example" types. The kind of person who would take the time to help someone else understand something, even if it took a while, as long as they could tell the person was honestly trying to understand.

That's a rare quality, and hard to do, from my own personal experience. Much more patience than I have, I think...

If you have such a person in your life, you'd best cherish them while you have them around...

Regards,
Gordon.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

A very sad loss to a gifted engineer, loudspeaker designer, and superb legend in audio. R.I.P. Albert Von Schweikert, you made our world sound better. Sadly missed, and will be remembered for many years to come. I am in shock!

 

[Tom Bombadil]

I met with Albert a couple of times, and conversed with him many times. He was a caring and kind man, as well as a master in the field of speaker design. He had to overcome a lot of adversity in his life but never let it keep him down for long.

I own 5 of his speakers, a couple that he personally worked upon. Great equipment.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

Right after Albert passes, one of his speakers makes the cover of Stereophile

 

[onwardjames]

Another powerhouse of our hobby is gone. RIP sir, and @hjames I enjoyed reading your post. I knew you had those speakers, never knew the rest of the story. Absolutely astounding.