The *OFFICIAL* Vienna Acoustics Owners Thread - Page 77

New to this site and have the original VA Mozarts. What are the differences/features between the original Mozarts, the Grands and the new Symphony? If there is a significant difference, can my original Mozarts be upgraded?

Thanks for any guidance.

Steve, NYC

I have fallen in love with the simplicity and flexibility of the sonos system and would like to add a zone in a small office where I spend a lot of time. I have a set of Hadyns that I'm not using and am considering pairing them with a ZP120. Just curious if anyone has experimented with this configuration... it feels like a risky proposition, a small class D amp with the Haydns but I like the simplicity and small footprint the ZP120 provides. Thoughts?

Hi Steve,

Thanks for purchasing Vienna Acoustics! The short answer is that there was a big change between Mozart Classic and Mozart Grand and a smaller change from Mozart Grand to Mozart Grand SE (Symphony Edition.) In any case, none of them can be upgraded from one version to another.

The original Mozart Classic used a customized Scanspeak 1.1" tweeter with two 5.5" XPP mid-bass drivers. The XPP material that we use is a common thread throughout most of the products that we still produce today. More on that later. The two mi-bass drivers were located directly under the tweeter, each with their own ports in a sand tuneable cabinet.

Mozart Grand introduced a newer version of the 1.1" tweeter that we used in Mozart Classic. This tweeter has been continually evolving in our products over the last fifteen years. The biggest upgrade in Mozart Grand was in the new formulation of XPP that we used, called X3P. In essence, we were able to increase driver rigidity while maintaining optimal cone damping. The motor, basket, spider and surround were also extensively reworked. Mozart Grand's crossover utilized a new layout of components that we found resulted in more direct coupling with partnering amplification. Lastly, Mozart Grand was a 2 1/2 design, with the upper two drivers handling information down to 100hz, and the lower bass driver handling frequencies below. Sonically, Mozart Grand was a huge improvement, with small refinements to the cabinet that worked so well for us in Mozart Classic.

Mozart Grand Symphony Edition is a revision of Mozart Grand's bass driver, crossover and cabinet tuning. We replaced Mozart Grand's X3P bass driver with the spider cone bass driver from Beethoven Baby Grand. This allowed us to make refinements in the crossover and cabinet tuning that results in lower bass extension, a lower noise floor in the bass region and greater clarity throughout the mid-band. In short, if you love Mozart Classic, there is more to love in Mozart Grand and Mozart Grand SE.

Best wishes,

Patrick Butler
Vienna Acoustics- North America

Hi James,

Provided that you not expecting incredibly loud sound out of Haydn or your ZP120, you will have no problems with that system. Enjoy.

Best wishes,

Patrick Butler
Vienna Acoustics- North America

From "blood, toil, tears and sweat" ...well not exactly =). Welcome to my humble home. =) (Rel T2 hidden behind the right front).

Is the Maestro in the Rosewood finish?

My cousin just bought a set of Mozart Grand (cherry) at BB for only 1k (display model with full warranty). I'd like to get a set as well, but that was the last set at their store. hic hic hic

Please let me know if you see any good deal out there. Thanks :-)

very nice! Thanks for sharing

I'd suggest searching Audiogon on a weekly basis. Lots of great deals to be had there.

Yes it is. It turned out to be a blessing in disguised. Due to its darker color than cherry, it quite blended with the black color. If it is cherry, the light color may be a bit distracting. This rosewood Maestro was just an accidental purchase. I was actually about to get the whole B&Ws out the door in Magnolia with receipts and everything, but this Maestro sitting at a corner in the listening room looked like raring for an audition. Well, it sung its heart out versus the B&W center. =) Well, this Maestro is really looking for a home. Whatever color it is, it doesn't matter. =)

Warren,
I sent you a PM.

Paraneer,
Yes, they're grands. I saw them on audiogon :-) But I was a little nervous to spend that much of money without any warranty.

Hi All,
I found a place where I can buy brand new Vienna speakers with 2 years warranty.

I am looking at these two:
1) Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand (Available in 4 colors) $2k/pair
1.1-inch silk dome tweeter
Two 6-inch X3P midrange-bass drivers
Hand-crafted enclosure with a real wood finish
New gold-and-silver alloy terminals are directly connected to the crossover circuit board

2) Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand (only available in Cherry) $2800/pair
1.1-inch silk dome tweeter
One 6-inch X3P midrange driver
Two 6-inch XPP bass drivers
Hand-crafted enclosure with a real wood finish
New gold-and-silver alloy terminals are directly connected to the crossover circuit board
Available in Cherry

I kinda like Black Mozart Grand color better. It looks very shine and they would stand out on any hardwood floor color. The Rosewood looks good too.

This is a tough decision. If they have #2 in black, I wouldn't hesitate to buy. If I buy the Mozart Grand, then I'll definitely need a center speaker. I heard you don't need a center speaker if you have two Beethoven Baby Grand speakers. Is that true?

I see that the Beethoven Baby has a seperate mid-range driver and two dedicated for bass. This model will surely sounds much better than the Mozart Grand.

Another question. Let say if I get the Mozart (black), will they work well with my current polk audio (CS2 for center and 4 OWM3's for surround). If not, how much will I need to spend to get a center speaker? Will the two Mozart Grand + a Center sounds better than 2 Beethoven Baby? I just got a Yamaha A2000.

Which model is a better value and why?

Thanks Everyone for your input/advise.

Hi everyone,

I've finally joined the club and picked up a pair of Haydn's. They're being powered with a Emotiva UPA-2, and my pre-amp is a Emotiva LMC-1. My primary source is my laptop + an Airport Express using optical out, so the LMC-1 is doing the D/A conversion. Almost all my music is VBR MP3's. I've compared it to FLAC, and I don't hear enough of a difference (though there is a subtle one) to make it worth it for me to switch over.

Anyway, as much as I'm loving the Haydn's, I feel like they're missing a little in the low-end. Reasonable for a bookshelf speaker, but nevertheless, I'm looking for a little more. I've always had the belief that two-channel audio should not be compromised with a subwoofer, but I'm not sure if that is as true as I consider it.

Can I add a subwoofer to this two-channel system and maintain transparency between the subwoofer and speakers? Right now the system is 75% music, 25% video. I anticipate that shifting to 50% for each over the next couple of years. Eventually I will add some tower VA's, and move the Haydn's to surrounds.

Any recommendations on a subwoofer, if it can be cleanly added to a 2-channel system? I'm a college student, so I don't have a huge budget, but I will be buying used (audiogon) and am willing to make an investment if its worth it. I've been looking at the REL's, but I also like the Martin Logan subwoofer lineup - I've found both to be very musical.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Hi Barnaby,
I am looking into buying Vienna speakers.
Do you know if there is any Vienna dealer in or around the Everett - Seattle areas? I know Magnolia is no longer carry Vienna speakers.

Update: Thanks Barnaby. I've already pulled the trigger on a set of Mozart Grand.

I am proud to announce that I'll be a Vienna Mozart Grand owner soon. Just placed my order for a set of Mozarts (cherry). Now I need to find a matching center speaker. I heard the Maestro is the best match for the Mozart. Is that right?
What if I can't find a matching Maestro, can I use a Vienna Acoustics Theatro as center or that will sound funny?
Can I use another Mozart grand as center speaker? So the front will have 3 identical speakers.
What are the Vienna Acousics Waltz Grand being used for? (surround? Center?)

If seamless integration between mains and a sub is your goal then I would suggest you seriously consider the REL subwoofers. The high level input from the neutrik cable connects directly to the speaker output terminals on the receiver allowing the sub to get the full range signal for your speakers. You can then adjust the crossover on the sub for the high level input so that it picks up where your mains fall off, which will give you that extension into the lower frequencies. There is also the option to connect a RCA out from the receiver for the LFE (.1) channel if you want to have that channel directed to the sub when it is encoded on the disc. Currently I have 2 RELs in my 5 channel VA system and I love the seamless integration for both theater and music. There may be other subs out there that I am not aware of that offer the ability to connect directly to the high level speaker outputs and adjust the crossover specifically for that connection on the subwoofer. IMO that would be the best way to go for seamless integration.

As for picking an appropriate model I would suggest determining approximately how much volume your room has and talking to a representative at a local store about which model would adequately pressurize a room of that size. Particularly with bass and subwoofers it is all about how much sound pressure it can deliver into the room. Getting the right size sub for the room will not only let you hear those frequencies better but it also will let you feel them better, which IMO is how a properly tuned subwoofer should perform.

Ben

Hello sqa4life,

Congratulations on your (soon) to be pair of Mozart Grand in cherry. The Maestro is absolutely the best match for the Mozart Grand and it is still in production, making it very available. You can also use Theatro if your budget will not stretch as far. Theatro won't sound funny inasmuch as it will just not be as open, clear, dynamic or extended as Maestro.

Waltz Grand is used in on-wall applications in any speaker position.

Best wishes,

Patrick Butler
Vienna Acoustics- North America

What is your budget for your subwoofer purchase?

Thanks Patrick.
You made me feel more anxious. I want my Mozart NOW :-)

I am having a hard time finding a cherry Maestro. I am wondering if there is other brand that could be substituted for the Maestro. The Theatro only comes in black and I want cherry to match with my Mozart.

Just send me your zip code, and I can hook you up with a local dealer who can get a Maestro for you.

Best,

Patrick

98204
cherry Maestro.

One more question. I want to use either two Bach Grand or two Waltz Grand as right/left surround. Regardless of the price/cost. Which set would you recommended?

Thanks Patrick

Give Erik at Reference Media in Everett a call. They can be reached at 425-374-3428. Their website is www.reference-media.net

All things being equal, you can do more with Bach Grand as surround channels than Waltz Grand. If you can do an itu-r style setup in your room, Bach Grand will give you a more immersive surround effect with greater clarity and bass extension. Think of the surround channels as a stereo pair, no different in practice than your main stereo pair and then you'll see where I am going with this.

Patrick

Wow, Bigred, I'm a fan. I hope I remember it right, you posted your VA rig a long time ago (maybe more than two years back), I love it and I can still vividly recall it in my mind. VA rosewoods with a huge klipsch sub! Am I right? =) You actually inspired me to take a look at VAs. I would like to share the recent changes I did. I hope I can help somebody out there. All my VAs were driven by Emotiva UPA-5. Two weeks ago, I bought two UPA-1 for the fronts. Yesterday, I sold my UPA-5 and today I ordered three more UPA-1. (I know it's an overkill) But I am very impressed with UPA-1 driving my Mozarts. I'm not sure the right term for the sound but I'll try "velvety" with "authority". So getting each speakers its own UPA-1 is something I'm looking forward too. The waltzes will be pampered for sure. =) Am I an Emotiva nut?..No. I actually prefer my Yamaha CD player (CD-S700) than the analytical ERC-1. Yamaha player matches perfectly with Mozarts. The musical instruments sounded so natural. Lastly, based from what I learned from this forum, Rel sub is the way to go. Rel T2 blends with Mozart seamlessly. For further improvement, I replaced the stock hi level connector with Signal Cable neutrik cable. I connect this cable at the binding post of each UPA1. I did not believe that a cable can improve the sound but after listening with SC connector, I became a convert. That's it for now. Thanks for reading =)

What is an itu-r style setup, please?

Haha, yeah thats right. Good memory as that was about 3 years ago! Nice job on going with the UPA-1's as they are great amps. Now go enjoy the heck out of it all

My system is no longer at its best however as I had to get rid of my Pro-ject RM-9.1 w/ Grado Sonata 1 cartridge, Rythmik F12SE sub, Waltz Grand surrounds, RPA-1 amp, and Acoustic Panels.... But i'll eventually build it back up to that point. I recently moved so here is my latest setup.

I have the Haydn Grands and added an M&K V-125 sub a few months ago. It's a sealed box sub and I've had no trouble in integrating it with my Haydns. In fact, soundstage imaging and depth improved as it relieves the main speakers from having to reproduce the lowest end, as well as gaining more on the lows. I set the crossover on it at approximately 90 hz. Sometimes you can find a good bargain on these used.

Bigred:

You forgot to show the view of the stadium from your unit.

=) Nice!....and a stadium view? =) Good to see your VAs again. Tomorrow the remaining three UPA1 will arrive to complete my 5 channels. It's like Christmas again.

Hi all,
I just went to Reference Audio locally here in Everett, WA where Patrick referred me to. The Mozart Grand is currently on sale for 2k/pair. If you buy a pair, they will give you 50% discount on the Theatro ($400). So, 2 Mozarts and a Theatro for $2400 + Tax.

Anyway, Erik (the owner) give me 2 good demos. 1) two Mozarts Grand 2) two Haydn Grand. The Mozarts sounds fuller and more bass. I was suprised on how the little Haydn's sounds. I told Erik that I have a Yamaha A2000. He recommended to get 4 Bach (also on sale for $1500/pair) and a Theatro. He didn't have any Bach there for demo, but he said they sound very similar or a little better than the Haydn.

I want to get your advise on running:
1) 4 Bach+Theatro
vs
2) two Mozarts.

I already have a sub and I probably can get 1) for the same price as two Mozarts.

For those Bach owner, how do you like yours?

BTW, I recently ordered two Mozarts Grand from the internet seller. They charged to my credit cards, but they don't process/ship my order. I called them and said they don't see my order in the system. I don't know why they charged to my credit card if the order is not in the system. They said they will forward it to their IT department :-). I asked for a refund. An hour later after I got off the phone and went back to their website. The Mozarts was no longer available. I think they ran out of stock.

haha yeah that was the older place. Loved it as it was a GREAT view of Bank of America Stadium. But the new view isn't so bad.