The *OFFICIAL* Vienna Acoustics Owners Thread - Page 60

BBM, from what I could gather, has gotten about as low as they plan to go with the VA speakers. These are marked down to cost right now. So now is probably the best time to get them.... until they run out. Most stores are down to their demo/display models probably.

Actually, yesterday I got the Bach grands and then thought we should get Mozart Grands and we got the last 2 pieces from our BB. We got them at $800 each... which was wonderful!!!
I got the other 3(center & rears) from floor pieces for $359 each

First of all, I would urge you to go with the Maestro Grand rather than the Theatro. I demo'd both and went with the Maestro. IMHO it is a much better match with what you are planning to purchase than the Theatro.

Second of all. Regarding whether an AVR is adequate. I can only speak for the Denon AVR-3808CI, which I have. Prior to purchase I did all the legwork regarding the adequacy of an AVR with the VA's and regarding the whole 4 ohm thing. Talked to Denon. Talked to Sumiko. Went with the Denon. Am runnning 4 Mozart Grands and a Maestro with the Denon. No problem.

Hope this helps.

BTW. I also used the AVR Denon to run a 7.1 channel system. I borrowed 2 Vienna Waltzs from my brother and used them as Surround Backs. No problem. You can do a search in this thread to find the mini-review I did regarding the same.

thanks a lot for the info..
I will check if I can get the maestro grand somewhere..
I was checking the specs for 3808CI and Onkyo-808 and 808 has 135watts per channel compared to 130watts for 3808CI.
The 808 is 4ohms certified as well.
Part of my inclination towards the 808 is because it is 3D compatible and my TV supports 3D as well.

FYI you cannot just look at the face value of specs to determine what kind of wattage its putting out these days. Most AVRs are not rated for all channels driven and will put out significantly less power with all channels being powered and at higher distortion levels. The 4ohm setting on the Onkyo essentially is just a power limiter so it doesn't blow the amp.

Look into something like the Denon 3311 or 4311 for a better comparison to the new Onkyo.

I've owned Yamaha, Denon and Onkyo, and the Onkyo's are crushing the other brands!

You'll love the 808, but If you can afford the 3008, that one is a beast @ 53 Lbs!

Best of luck!

Quick question for Theatro center channel speaker owners.

Was the VA Theatro ever made in any other finish other than the Piano Black Laquer that is currently available. Was a duller finish ever made. Have these always been wood on the outside or have they had a more rubber-like outer finish to them.

BigRed
Why do you say that Onkyo ratings are not accurate? Does Onkyo not work well with VAs?
The DENONs are much more expensive than the ONKYO ones.
How do I go about verifying if the ratings are accurate?

Thanks a lot providing valuabale inputs.

I really need to get a AVR asap so that I can listen to the VAs and make sure they are all good before the BB 30days is over.

SOS!!!...

The same Best Buy / Magnolia stores appear to be EOL'ing the Pioneer SC-27s, and the system designer I am working recommended the SC-27s above the other options (most noteably above comparably priced Denons) based on their ability to handle a higher load. They are 140watt x2, have passed THX certification, so why not audition the VA in 5.1 configuration on that and see what you think?

The Sc25/27 or the Onkyo 3007 will be fine options and you may be able to find both these available at MHT.

There was once (and maybe still is, I dunno) a Theatro with a dull finish. I believe that it was a darkish blue or somthing similar.

I will go to the BB tonight and check if I can get the SC-25/27
Thanks a lot for all the inputs.

Also, I have a very basic question. How will the power of the receiver affect the speakers? I mean if less power is supplied to the speakers for a long time does it damage the speakers?

The reason for asking this is that are the amps suggested for better quality sound at higher volumes or also for a longer life of the speakers?

As long as your aren't clipping the amps, no, less power will not damage speakers. The problem is many people play at loud volumes and are clipping. The distortion caused by clipping can kill speakers.

Really depends on how large your room is and how loud you like to listen. A lot of people could get away with an AVR pushing their speakers because they don't push the system hard. I would rather spend a few hundred $ to make sure I don't kill multiple thousands of $ in speakers. I also tend to listen at loud volumes.

After reading the Pioneer SC-25/27 thread I wouldn't use it myself. I would go with a lower level Elite or other brand with pre-outs and get a separate amp. I may be a little more cautious than most, but my AVR tested at 168w/channel with 5 channels driven. I wouldn't run a full VA setup off of its amps. Not when Emotiva is sitting there selling power for crazy cheap prices. Will the feature differences between a lower model and the higher end models even matter? If you are going for power there are much better options with your money.

Even adding a 3 channel amp would take much of the burden off of the AVR amps. The AVR could handle the surround channels with no problem.

Correct. It was called the "Nextel Gray" finish. It's a rubbery coated finish in gray. The change over the glossy black happened approx 2 years ago.

thanks a lot mbyrnes... makes a lot of sense...
I am not planning to blast my speakers a lot.. So hopefully I should be good..
May be later down the road I will add the ext amps.

BTW I just got my Onkyo TX-3007 from BB.
Any comments anyone?

Thanks Ese and ivansfo -> That really helps out. I got myself one of these and was surprised to see the finish. Actually began questioning if this really was a VA or a knockoff.
The finish is a rubbery non-wood - almost like a non-slip grip like surface finish. I thought VA as a company has a lot to say about their cabinetry and when you see a rubberized gray finish to a rather expensive center channel instead of the polished wood, one wonders if the whole "special cabinetry" has to do with what's inside or if it's advertising sell.

Either way, this one sounds no different from the newer piano black finish piece I got with my Haydn's. They do sound nice for sure. I wish BB carried the Maestro center channel - never got to hear what it sounded like.

A complaint of owners with center channel speakers in the piano black finish is the reflection off the center channel speaker (typically under the TV or monitor) under certain lighting conditions and the resulting impact on viewing. I believe the reason for the prior finish was in response to preventing the reflection. But, if they discontinued the prior finish it may not have sold well enough.

Sweet receiver! Congratulations!

Ese,

The Nextel finish was discontinued because nobody makes televisions anymore in a similar dark grey finish. Piano black seems to be the dominant finish for flat panels and it made sense to update the Theatro finish to match most customers displays.

Best wishes,

Patrick Butler
Vienna Acoustics North America

Nice AVR. Should be able to push the VAs nice. Haven't seen a test bench for power but Onkyo usually is very good in their upper end models. I would think you could get pretty loud with it. It should have a similar power rating as my 805 which is a great thing.

Adding a separate amp won't be as critical with this AVR as it would be with a different model. High end Onkyo and Denon seem to drive VAs nicely.

Thanks guys...
Just hooked up the front three on friday and man!! they sound amazing....
They totally knocked us off again as they did in MHT.
One of my friends (who was with me while getting the speakers) was wondering why am I spending so much on speakers alone.. After hearing them she was like "Now I know why and it's worth every penny"
In fact some friends visited over the weekend and everyone had the same feeling... Feels nice!!!!

Would a cracked speaker cabinet impact the performance of the speaker. Specifically asking about the mozart.

Was at the local best buy - they had their last pair fo mozarts down to $500 each. Only issue - one of the speakers had a couple of wood chips on the cabinet and the other one had a small crack ( not sure if the crack went all the way thru the cabinet wall) on the upper right edge. They hooked them up and the speakers sounded fine.

I have a pair of Bach's, a theatro, and 2 pairs of haydn's - so wasn't too keen on getting this right now. However, I was curious to know - does a cracked cabinet affect the performance of the speaker.

I just purchased a pair of Mozart Grand and Theatro. I would like some recommendation on which integrated amp I should purchase to drive them.

Denon 4310
Pioneer Elite sc-25 or 27
Onkyo 3007

I would love some helps and feed back. Thanks!

I can speak for the Pioneer SC-25. Using these with the Haydn's and theatro for HT and the system rocks.
Not sure about the Denon 4310, but a Denon 3808 that I used for a while (recently replaced with the Elite SC-25) definitely was capable enough to drive the VA's very nicely.

If you are looking strictly for an integrated amp, I have the Cambridge Audio 840A and use it with a pair of Bach Grands strictly for 2 ch music and it works well.
I also have a Yamaha A-S700 which works very well with the VA's.

Hello everyone... looking for an amplifier to power my Vienna's!!!!!!
I recently purchased a pair of new in the box Mozart Grands, as I just couldn't let the current closeout pricing pass me by. They are beautiful speakers and I just can't imagine anything that comes close to the sound they produce in such a reasonable sized cabinet being available in the future.
It's amazing what this "hobby" can lead to... originally I planned on buying a Bose Acoustimass 15 or something like it. Then I considered the Def Tech ProCinema 800. Eventually I decided on a 5.1 HT setup using four Def Tech Mythos Gems, a Mythos Seven center channel, and a Martin Logan Dynamo sub. The Def Techs are all wall mounted and the size and appearance of the speakers played a role in what would be "acceptable" in the family room. My ears liked the Martin Logan sub over the SuperCubes. Presently I am using a Pioneer Elite SC-27 with a Pro-111FD plasma and a blu-ray player.
I've read enough to have decided that I want a separate amp to power the Vienna's and am considering the Emotiva XPA-2, but if money isn't an issue, my question is what else would be recommended, and what would truly be overkill. I've started looking at Bryston, Krell, McIntosh... Oh my!

so once the BB is out out of VA where will be able to buy them at ??

They will be available at smaller, local integrators and retailers across the States.

Kwkshift has it exactly right. We are putting together a network of small, specialty dealers across North America where you can listen to an expanded selection of products.

Best wishes,

Patrick Butler
Vienna Acoustics North America

Hi Patrick, Can you suggest where I might be able to locate a Maestro center channel? My location is central MA, which also makes CT, NH and RI an easy drive. Thank you in advance.