1. Home
  2. speakers
  3. 196981-213818

Anyone remember the Vortex Screen Transparency speakers by Albert Von Schweikert?

I’m hoping to tap into the collective knowledge here.

I recently came into possession of a complete Vortex Screen Transparency speaker system, designed by Albert Von Schweikert, and I’m curious how many people here remember or have experience with this project.

From what I understand, this was a very limited production (only 88 systems worldwide), originally engineered for high-end custom installations, with placement behind projection screens in mind. What really caught my attention is the level of engineering — adjustable rear voicing for tweeter and midrange, sealed cabinets, and a design philosophy clearly aimed at natural timbre and realism, especially for jazz, vocals, and acoustic music.

I’ve also come across references to these speakers being advertised internationally and even outperforming a much more expensive ($15k) speaker in a published comparison at the time, which surprised me given how little they seem to come up today.

Interestingly, this particular system is New Old Stock (never installed or driven), which makes me wonder how many unused examples are even left, if any.

For those familiar with Von Schweikert or Vortex history:

  • How were these regarded when they were released?

  • Were they more common in custom theater installs than in two-channel systems?

  • Does anyone here have firsthand listening experience with the Screen Transparency models?

I’d love to hear thoughts, memories, or context from people who were around when these were introduced.

 

5starwillyky
nmmusicman
279 posts
 

Never saw or heard them myself but do remember the 1989 Stereophile review which was very positive overall.  Vortex Screen loudspeaker | Stereophile.com

hiendmmoe
254 posts
 

Open sounding speakers that sold for $700. back in 1990. They were a lot like the Vandersteen 2C speakers of the time: open baffle cloth wrapped speakers. I knew someone that purchased an upgraded pr that was supposedly Albert’s reference screens at the time. I listened to them extensively over the years. They were tube friendly and worked best that way. They were the predecessor to the VR 4  that came out in the mid nineties. In their day they were remarkable speakers, especially for their price, but compared to reference speakers of today they are out dated and wouldn’t stand a chance. Also note: their build quality wasn’t anything but garage quality low level components. What made them special was the design of the speaker by their creator AVS. 

mark200mph
848 posts
 

I had a set of vr4 upgraded to 5. Something and one of the few I'm sorry I sold.they sounded great.while not a heavy rock and roll speaker.the wood looked good as well. Miss that designer. Enjoy the good old classical speakers as there still a few left.

sls883
1,058 posts
 

I never heard the Vortex Screens.  I do have a pair of original VR-4s that I bought new. They're sitting under covers.  I think one of my boys will end up with them. They're too big for a bedroom speaker.. 

txc500
3 posts
 

I have a pair of Von Schweikert Vortex Screen speakers. I wonder if they are the same as yours. I have an email from Albert VS explaining about them. 

More to discover