Robm231,
I hope you accept my apologies as my original response came across too strong and I simply did not take any time to give thorough thought before posting.
Having owned the VR-2 and the VR-1, I have much respect for what Von Schweikert has done with these products! You are spot on, the Vr-2 is not an easy speaker to get right in room, as that rear tweeter can cause some freaky reflections. While positioning the vr-2 can be a challenge for even an experienced audiophile, matching the vr-2 with electronics can be easily done and might I add, affordably so! This is a major strength to the vr-2s credit and is a good reason why the speaker is as popular as it is. You do not have to spend a mint to get a lot.
The Hawk by contrast, while more friendly with room positioning (although still requiring a very large space to really breathe) is much more demanding with electronics. With the VR-2, you can easily match the speaker with inexpensive tubes (Antique Sound Labs, vintage Dynakits, Rogue) the Hawks really do need gear from the likes of Lamm, Bat (vk-60 or similar). This is a fairly significant step up in electronics and many people do not like the idea of such a disproportionate investment in their system.
As for technical superiority. The Hawk uses a 5.5 inch Scan-Speak Revelator a driver that costs over 200 by its lonesome, not to mention a fantastic modified MB Quart tweeter that too, is very expensive. The crossover is simply a cap and a resistor (if I remember correctly). Very simple. The internal wiring *silver* and over all cab volume is executed near perfection. This was brilliant design mixed with honestly luck. Just so you know, the manufacturers cost on the Hawk is only a few hundred less than the msrp of the vr-2.
Now, with all of that being said.. is the Hawk always the better choice? The answer is; of course not. But it is a speaker that is very mis-understood and very easy to get wrong...and a lot of people (dealers included) simply do not realize it.
I hope you accept my apologies as my original response came across too strong and I simply did not take any time to give thorough thought before posting.
Having owned the VR-2 and the VR-1, I have much respect for what Von Schweikert has done with these products! You are spot on, the Vr-2 is not an easy speaker to get right in room, as that rear tweeter can cause some freaky reflections. While positioning the vr-2 can be a challenge for even an experienced audiophile, matching the vr-2 with electronics can be easily done and might I add, affordably so! This is a major strength to the vr-2s credit and is a good reason why the speaker is as popular as it is. You do not have to spend a mint to get a lot.
The Hawk by contrast, while more friendly with room positioning (although still requiring a very large space to really breathe) is much more demanding with electronics. With the VR-2, you can easily match the speaker with inexpensive tubes (Antique Sound Labs, vintage Dynakits, Rogue) the Hawks really do need gear from the likes of Lamm, Bat (vk-60 or similar). This is a fairly significant step up in electronics and many people do not like the idea of such a disproportionate investment in their system.
As for technical superiority. The Hawk uses a 5.5 inch Scan-Speak Revelator a driver that costs over 200 by its lonesome, not to mention a fantastic modified MB Quart tweeter that too, is very expensive. The crossover is simply a cap and a resistor (if I remember correctly). Very simple. The internal wiring *silver* and over all cab volume is executed near perfection. This was brilliant design mixed with honestly luck. Just so you know, the manufacturers cost on the Hawk is only a few hundred less than the msrp of the vr-2.
Now, with all of that being said.. is the Hawk always the better choice? The answer is; of course not. But it is a speaker that is very mis-understood and very easy to get wrong...and a lot of people (dealers included) simply do not realize it.