Von schweikert vr4sr up against mahler

>They have tramendously tight base<

Yes, but do they have tramendously tight bass too????

It seems like there are speakers that are so accurate that no recordings or associate equipment can be measured up to this "accuracy". The cliche or excuse is to blame other equipment but the reality is the speakers will ultimately affect the total sound quality the most. If speakers are bright, then more than likely, the sound will be bright unless you put a low pass filter somewhere in your audio chain.

Ultimately, I want something that helps me out at the end of a hard work day, and not something that makes me brace myself everytime a female vocal hits a high note.

Ozzy62, you caught me - unfortunately their bass sucks as downunder was saying ;)

Keep the Mahlers. I had (have)the VA Bachs for 3 years and upgraded to the VSA 4jrs almost a year ago. My comparisons are based on these two speakers and have spent a great deal of time listening to the VA line up through the Beethovan's. I've never heard the Mahler's but, I bet they are glorious sounding. So keep those comments in mind when disecting my thoughts. I found the VA speakers to be extremely listenable, probably due to the silk tweeter. My wife and I could listen for hours. Ultimately, I upgraded because they just couldn't hang on loud R&R music. I'm very happy with my 4's and they keep getting better and better as my system evolves. BUT they are more neutral/cleaner sounding to my ears than the Bach's. I don't want to give the impression that I'm not a fan of my 4 jr's, because I am. It did take a while to adjust to the difference in sound between the two lines. I still have my Bach's and will take them out of the attic some day to build another system. I guess what I'm getting to in a round about way is, I think at best you will be making a lateral move and may or may not like the sound better than what you already have. FWIW if I ever get rid of my 4 jrs' the Mahlers would be right at the top of the audition list.
Good luck.

I had Beethovens, and I now have the Mahlers. I am in love with their sound. I am very delighted with the musical reproduction. I visit a lot of high end stereo stores and often bring a cd that I am familar with and listen to various systems. I am very happy that I got my Mahlers. I do have a larger room, and I am driving them with a McIntosh MC-402 and a MX-119 pre/pro and a Underwood Ultimate Modified Denon 3910 player.