agisthos Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 (edited) I was a bit excited last week to hear the TT2 and M-Scaler being demoed, but my excitement was tempered by the fact this would be in the VAF showrooms. To put it mildly VAF speakers are garbage, and always have been, ever since my first auditions over 15 years ago. Normally I would not make such a harsh statement on this forum, but VAF had the Chord asia pacific manager, and Australian distributor, come all the way to Adelaide for a demonstration, and did not even bother to do the slightest system setup. The demo was similar to any demo at JB-Hifi, with a wall of speakers. But really, even if it was properly setup it would just sound like VAF speakers. VAF's target market is those upgrading from a Harvey Norman home theater package, not audiophiles, and it seems nothing has changed. The sound was so bad, if someone told me the Chord DAC was $1000 RRP I would not have bothered to investigate further. But I know better, because I have experience with VAF speakers and know how a bad speaker can dominate the sound. Pity some of those there who may not have... Edited February 24, 2019 by agisthos 1 1
Dolphy Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 6 hours ago, agisthos said: I was a bit excited last week to hear the TT2 and M-Scaler being demoed, but my excitement was tempered by the fact this would be in the VAF showrooms. To put it mildly VAF speakers are garbage, and always have been, ever since my first auditions over 15 years ago. Normally I would not make such a harsh statement on this forum, but VAF had the Chord asia pacific manager, and Australian distributor, come all the way to Adelaide for a demonstration, and did not even bother to do the slightest system setup. The demo was similar to any demo at JB-Hifi, with a wall of speakers. But really, even if it was properly setup it would just sound like VAF speakers. VAF's target market is those upgrading from a Harvey Norman home theater package, not audiophiles, and it seems nothing has changed. The sound was so bad, if someone told me the Chord DAC was $1000 RRP I would not have bothered to investigate further. But I know better, because I have experience with VAF speakers and know how a bad speaker can dominate the sound. Pity some of those there who may not have... Tell us what you really think..... 3
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 24, 2019 Volunteer Posted February 24, 2019 7 hours ago, agisthos said: I was a bit excited last week to hear the TT2 and M-Scaler being demoed, but my excitement was tempered by the fact this would be in the VAF showrooms. To put it mildly VAF speakers are garbage, and always have been, ever since my first auditions over 15 years ago. Normally I would not make such a harsh statement on this forum, but VAF had the Chord asia pacific manager, and Australian distributor, come all the way to Adelaide for a demonstration, and did not even bother to do the slightest system setup. The demo was similar to any demo at JB-Hifi, with a wall of speakers. But really, even if it was properly setup it would just sound like VAF speakers. VAF's target market is those upgrading from a Harvey Norman home theater package, not audiophiles, and it seems nothing has changed. The sound was so bad, if someone told me the Chord DAC was $1000 RRP I would not have bothered to investigate further. But I know better, because I have experience with VAF speakers and know how a bad speaker can dominate the sound. Pity some of those there who may not have... So why did you go in the first place ? 3
Ittaku Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 8 hours ago, agisthos said: I'm not a fan of VAF speakers myself either, but I think you'll find such scathing comments probably won't go down very well on this forum.
Guest Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 @Ittaku I’m glad he said it. And if he gets in trouble for it, it’ll say more about others than him.
Ittaku Posted February 24, 2019 Posted February 24, 2019 9 minutes ago, Sime V2 said: @Ittaku I’m glad he said it. And if he gets in trouble for it, it’ll say more about others than him. I have no problem with the way he described them, and agree they wouldn't do the electronics justice; I'd rather see people be frank with their opinion if possible. It's more just a heads up for him as the forum is generally very hard in that regard. 1
agisthos Posted February 25, 2019 Author Posted February 25, 2019 9 hours ago, Sir Sanders Zingmore said: So why did you go in the first place ? Because VAF have a new range of speakers, specifically a new monitor, and I always have an open mind that things could have changed, so wanted to hear them. 1
Volunteer sir sanders zingmore Posted February 25, 2019 Volunteer Posted February 25, 2019 4 minutes ago, agisthos said: Because VAF have a new range of speakers, specifically a new monitor, and I always have an open mind that things could have changed, so wanted to hear them. Great that you had an open mind ... 1
AudioGeek Posted February 25, 2019 Posted February 25, 2019 Curious what speakers you use if VAF is "garbage"?
Guest Posted February 25, 2019 Posted February 25, 2019 It's all well and good to have strong opinions, but stating them as facts is probably going a little far. 6
Stump Posted February 25, 2019 Posted February 25, 2019 Dam -my speakers are garbage .I was there too and could not understand why they were using VAF speakers in a VAF HIFI centre.This hobby is just Crazy.. Stump P.S I haven't tried JB Hifi or Harvey Norman Speakers to compare with Vaf yet so I am not an expert.. 8 3
RSG Posted February 25, 2019 Posted February 25, 2019 Well, the choice of speakers tends to be very subjective and personal, more so than any other piece of audio equipment. As a happy owner of a pair of VAF I-93s, I'm simply curious as to what aspects of the VAF sound that you found to be so disappointing. 2
Grumpy Posted February 25, 2019 Posted February 25, 2019 3 hours ago, Stump said: Dam -my speakers are garbage .I was there too and could not understand why they were using VAF speakers in a VAF HIFI centre.This hobby is just Crazy.. Stump P.S I haven't tried JB Hifi or Harvey Norman Speakers to compare with Vaf yet so I am not an expert.. One of the best replies ever on SNA. I am a VAF fan , but everyone can't have the same taste in this bloody confusing hobby. 2 1
Guest deanB Posted February 25, 2019 Posted February 25, 2019 I remember reading up on Adelaide Speakers, positive and negative feedback. I eventually got to hear a pair of Summoners at a Sna members place and knew that was a good sound for me and my music, became a happy AS owner (twice). Hearing is believing. I like that Agisthos has said his piece and appears to have left it at that. It's a nice counterpoint to the master debating that some enjoy.
agisthos Posted February 26, 2019 Author Posted February 26, 2019 (edited) My original post was made in the Chord M-Scaler thread, and was then snipped out by a moderator, and made into this thread called 'VAF Speakers'. Normally I would not make a new thread giving an Australian company such a kicking. But I stand by my opinion. Edited February 26, 2019 by agisthos 2
Kaynin Posted February 26, 2019 Posted February 26, 2019 Although I've never owned VAF I've heard them a few times at the shows and I have a mate with two different sets in two different rooms that I get to listen to about 3-4 times a year. I'm a fan of VAF speakers, they're definitely on my list for the future - but I get what @agisthos is saying. Their target audience seems a bit confused. Now the M-Scaler - that raises a few interesting questions for me. Very system dependent.
AudioGeek Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, dont know why you feel you have to defend it? The great part of a forum is we can share experiences, ideas and have a discussion. Does not need to be an argument. No one can argue with an opinion. Saying I dont like speaker A is one thing, but calling it "garbage" infers your feel it has significant issues. Can you share what those are? I am still curious as to what you are using as a reference to label VAF as garbage? Good move to create a separate thread, why divert the course of the original. 1
Guest Peter the Greek Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 For a number of years now I've described them as "good, but not great". Having owned the i91, i93, DCX, the dual subs, soundwall, and DC6.....I think that's it. None of the current versions mind you. IMO they're not well suited for home theater, but pretty decent for a 2 channel setup. I rate them better than the similarly laid out Triad speakers.... ....but there is a reason I don't own them currently, I think there is better out there for the same coin. The last remaining soundwall I have for sale I'll likely keep. They are quite a satisfying speaker for a second system or bedroom etc @agisthos out of interest what are you running currently and what for?
agisthos Posted February 27, 2019 Author Posted February 27, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Peter the Greek said: @agisthos out of interest what are you running currently and what for? I have a Reference 3A DeCapo BE monitor. Reference 3A is well known in Canada and NA but not here, so there will be no frame of reference for readers. Previous speakers were a Magico Mini look-alike with RAAL tweeters called the Vapor Sound Cirrus. I have had many other speakers, including VAF DC2, and custom built speakers. When I first became an audiophile I extensively auditioned all the local Adelaide manufacturers, VAF, Krix and Sonique (this last one no longer around). That was at the beginning of the millennium. I now feel experienced enough, and have heard VAF on the end of enough different electronics, to say there is nothing high end about this brand except the prices (and they are sold factory direct!) At the Chord demo we listened to the new Monitor, i91mkII, and the floorstanders, which I think were i93. The voicing on both speakers was the same, and similar to what I have heard in the past. The total price of the systems demoed that night was 40-50k price range. If you cannot get a decent sound out of 50k... this is what drives people out of this hobby, or stops them getting into it at all. Edited February 27, 2019 by agisthos
Steve M Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 (edited) Personally, I think the big VAF i93 is a very well put together and accurate sounding loudspeaker. Maybe if you like your music to be warm and cuddly they won’t suit, but it’s stoopid to criticise accuracy/correctness when you hear it. I recently ran the i93 with a Bakoon pre-power amp combination - these amps are probably the most refined, phase coherent and nuanced electronics I have heard. Together they sounded superb, the speaker revealing the refinement of the amps and vice versa. In my experience, this kind of synergy doesn’t happen if either speaker or amp is bad. Its ok to have an opinion on these things, but to call something very well constructed like the VAF i93 ‘garbage’ doesn’t pass the pub test. As to opinions, I have also owned the Reference 3A De Capo speaker and while it does sound very nice within its limited playing envelope (being a small bookshelf design), it is nowhere near as competent top-to-bottom as something large like the i93, imho. Edited February 27, 2019 by Steve M 2
agisthos Posted February 27, 2019 Author Posted February 27, 2019 43 minutes ago, Steve M said: Its ok to have an opinion on these things, but to call something very well constructed like the VAF i93 ‘garbage’, doesn’t pass the pub test and suggests some other agenda/grievance? Horses for courses, but don't smear me as having an agenda or grievance.
Steve M Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 I’ll retract that then ...that’s why there was a question mark in there. Horses for courses I can agree with, garbage not so much. Remember the famous words that “strong opinions are like strong farts, they can be unpleasant and should therefore be held back most of the time”. [I made that up by the way] Cheers, Steve. 2
rantan Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 5 minutes ago, agisthos said: Horses for courses, but don't smear me as having an agenda or grievance. I really don't think anybody is trying to smear you. For perspective, I am neutral on this topic. The facts are that you don't like VAF speakers and your view is absolutely valid. The confusion arises when you describe them as garbage, which they clearly ,are not. There are many brands and models in audio that I don't like, but many of them are highly regarded, so I am happy to note that they may be worthy for others but not myself or my purposes and I would never describe them as garbage. 2
agisthos Posted February 27, 2019 Author Posted February 27, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Steve M said: Maybe if you like your music to be warm and cuddly they won’t suit, but it’s stoopid to criticise accuracy/correctness when you hear it. This is not the criticism I have of VAF, the complete opposite. My own system is far more resolving and neutral than anything I have heard from VAF (with an allowance made to showroom conditions, which hurt ultimate setup). I go for see through transparency and realism. Quote As to opinions, I have also owned the Reference 3A De Capo speaker and while it does sound very nice within its limited playing envelope (being a small bookshelf design), it is nowhere near as competent top-to-bottom as something large like the i93, imho The new DeCapo uses a beryliium tweeter and new design, is more neutral compared to previous generations of the DeCapo. Bass extension obviously is awesome on the i93, but as in previous auditions it was not fully integrated and seamless. The sound was collapsing when pushed at the Chord demo, but this may be a function of the Chord amp not being a good match. Edited February 27, 2019 by agisthos 1
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