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Vienna Beethoven, Spendor 8SE, Adagio or VS VR4jr

Hello Audiophile friends,

I am looking for advice on how the following speakers
compare for when playing only Classic Rock at medium
sound levels. I don't play loud but do enjoy a medium
volume level. I am looking for refined sound, that is
not "cold" but maybe warmer and a little rounded. (but
still very refined in the bass and mids) The music I
listen to is the likes of The Doors, Eagles, Journey,
Tom Petty, Rolling Stones, you get the idea.

I am looking to buy used and would like to hear opinions
of how the following differ in sound or whether they match
the characteristics I described above:

Vienna Beethoven Baby Grand
Spendor 8SE
Acoustic Zen Adagios
Von Schweikert VR-4jr

From what I have read these are all refined sounding
speakers that go for about $2000 used on Audiogon.

My room is 12.5' x 25' with 10 foot ceilings. Hardwood
floors. The Speakers are on the 12.5' wall and I sit
9 feet back from the speakers. My Equipment includes
Krell DVD Standard, Krell 400xi Int amp, and a Unico Int
amp. I haven't made up my mind which Int amp I like
better so I use them both depending on my mood.

Who has heard all these and can compare them for me?
Thanks so much in advance my audio friends..
tom92602

Showing 7 responses by tom92602

tom92602 OP
65 posts
 

Sounds like the Vienna Acoustics Beethovens are more
my kind of speaker than the Von Schweikert VR-4JR.

Were you referring to the "Beethoven Baby Grands"??
I read the older Beethovens sound much richer than
than the newer Baby Grands..

I've heard the Sonus Faber Cremona once and it's a very
pleasant sounding speaker but it didn't seem to "let go"
when I heard it. It seemed too polite and not very "alive"
to me.. I also heard the Beethoven Baby Grands once and
they were very nice. I may indeed go that route but I
wanted to see what people thought of the other contenders
I listed...

Thanks for the reply John..
tom92602 OP
65 posts
 

Mfsoa- The Krell 400xi is actually the warmest Int SS amp
I have owned. Only the Unico with 2 tubes is warmer. The
400xi is really not like any of the other Krells which sound
cold and bright. The 400xi is a total departure from the
typical Krell "house sound".

First Day of the post.. Hopefully someone has heard the
Spendor S8E, Baby Grands, and Adagios..

Thanks for all the replies thus far..
tom92602 OP
65 posts
 
Audiojedi: "more open up top and are effortless and very musical" this is more my cup of tea. I like good tight
bass but not overpowering. I like a balanced, refined,
warm sound. I have pretty much ruled the VR4jr's out due
to my priorities..

Ndfan:
It seems like Spendor S8E, Vienna Baby Grands, and
the Adagios are all close to what I am seeking. You
said you heard all 3... Oh please make my day and
contrast these 3 speakers for me.. I await with
bated breath...
tom92602 OP
65 posts
 
Ndfan please come back and talk to me...

You heard all 3 (Spendor S8E, Vienna Baby Grands,Adagios)
and I need your opinions...

Now don't I just sound desperate..
tom92602 OP
65 posts
 

good plan... Everyone hears different and speakers
will sound different with different gear.

I did PM Ndfan after re-reading his note and seeing
he was open to being PM'd. I would never PM someone
without the invitation first..

I see several Adagios forsale so I wonder if this is
a bad sign.. Conversely there is only 1 pair of Baby
Grand and 1 pair of Spendor 8SE and they are both
pending sold so this makes me think they may be in
more demand...?
tom92602 OP
65 posts
 
Well I pulled the trigger today and bought a NEW pair of
Adagios. I wanted "Matt Walnut" so they were a special
order. I should have them in 2 weeks.

Now I just need to wait for a set of used Spendor S8E or
Baby Grands to come up on Audiogon for the bedroom system.

Adagios Owners: What speaker cables are you using??
tom92602 OP
65 posts
 

Issabre:

These are being drop shipper directly from Acoustic Zen
so I have to think they will ship them adequately. How
will I know if the Ribbon Tweeter is damaged from shipping?
Will it sound harsh, buzz, hiss, or crackle???

Thanks...
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