What don't you like about these speakers?


I will soon be able to audition the following speakers: Von Schweikert VR-2, Gallo Reference 3.1, and the Dynaudio Focus 220. My limit is $3000. I am not going to consider other speakers. I am not going to buy used. I want to support the retail audio shops. I live far enough away that I will have to drive 3 hours to Kansas City to a dealer who has all three set up. These speakers all get rave press and positives here, however, I am interested more in the opinions of those who didn't like them. I have Dynaudio 70s, which I like, but want to step up to an even better speaker. It's easy to get lots of positives, after all, we like what we listen to and have spent good money to buy. If there are specific problem areas, I would be interested to hear about them. Thank you in advance for your replies.
tgrisham
Mrtennis,

I have a friend in St. Louis who is a Magnepan dealer. He closed his shop but still carries the line. He is sold on them. He has a pair hooked up at his house, not sure which one. I have considered them and like the idea. I don't know if my layout presents a problem. I cannot bring the speakers out more than 36" from the wall I face, there is a 60 inch RPTV recessed flush in the facing wall between the speakers which projects 12 inches into the room (and I usually cover it when I am listening), and I sit about 11 feet from the speakers on a sofa. I'm afraid I won't know if they would work until they are set up. Maybe my friend would loan me his, but I know I can't order a pair just to try out. Any thoughts on my placement?
Hey Brent I live in the area and would like to take a listen. I heard the Gallos once when they first came out but it was only for an hour or so. I thought thay sounded very good. You St.Louis guys should check us out over at audiocircle.com We have a group of about 2o people from the gateway area and growing. We meet about 4 times a year for large meetins and do lots of small sessions every couple of weeks. We have lots of diffrent gear.
Sturgus
hi tgrisham:

you should experiment with room treatment, if possible.

would the amp be near the speakers and would you run long interconnects, so the electronics are on a side wall ?

i need more details to give advice based upon my experience.

my room is 12 x 18 and my amp is near my speakers, which are about 5 feet from the wall, about 10 feet from my.

my equipment cabinet is on the side wall and i run 6 meter interconnects.

i have room treatment on the side walls and behind the speakers. i use other tweaks as well.

if you want more information you can call me. i hesitate to include my number here, but if you send me an e mail i will give it to you and we can talk.

i own quads, but will be buyinga pair of magnepan 1.6ss within the month.

my e mail address is rouyash04@yahoo.com.

if anyone else wants to ask specific questions about panels or any other issues of audio, feel free.

i have a walth of experience, having attended CES for about 13 years, belong to an audio club, and in general have been exposed to over 500 stereo systems and many, many many components.
I am very fortunate that my measurements of in room frequency response are +/= 3 dB across the range, except for a hump of 6-8 dB at 40 Hz. I am sure that is the room and where I sit. That is something that can be tuned with room treatments. Otherwise, the room is working well with difraction on the sides and quilts hanging behind the speakers. The only issue is how far away from the back and sides do Maggies have to be to sound right. Wish me luck!
"I am not going to consider other speakers"...but why? Put them all contenders on the board. Thats how I do things. Process of elimination.
Good Luck.