Finish Quality of Von Schweikert VR4jr's

I agree. The finish leaves a lot to be desired. Nothing more than stained birch veneer with a very light coat of lacquer. However, I don't beleive that $4000/pr is inexpensive.

The difference in price between birch veneer and cherry veneer is about $0.10 per square foot. So, we're talking about $5.00 more for the better veneer. Going from 1 coat of lacquer to 4 is about $10.00 in material and about 1 hour of labor for a light sanding after the first and third coats. In the US were talking $50 more in material and labor. In China you can divide that by for for a total cost of $12.50. So, if the abinet shop, in China, doubles that charges VSA $25. VSA doubles that and charges the distributer $50. Finally the retailer doubles and charges the customer $100 more. I would be more than happy to pay the extra $100 for the more durable and better looking finish.

I agree that the jr's are great sounding speakers for the money.

BTW - I purchased a pair of 4jr's, matching center and dipole surrounds for a friend and only paid $4800 cash. He let me break in the jr's for about 3 months; I enjoyed my time with them.

Loonytunz,

I got the veneer cost from oakwoodveneer.com. My mistake was not taking into account the quality of veneer VSA is using. They are most likely using an inferior birch veneer. The finish on the jr's is lacquer according to Kevin at VSA. I spray lacquer all the time. Dry to the touch in 15 minutes; can be sanded in 30-40 minutes. I don't count drying time as other things can be done; ie you don't get paid to watch paint dry. Thinking about my estimate maybe I'm a little low. So, even if we double it were still talking about $200 added to the final retail. Remember, we're working in China where labor is dirt cheap.

From my post above, I had a pair of 4jr's in my room for about three months. I was in the market for a new pair of speakers at the same time to replace my B&W N805sigs (hated the finish - loved the sound). I ended up purchasing a pair of soliloquys. Like some of the posts above, I have to look at my speakers every day. I thought the fit and finish was better on the Soliloquys. As far as the sound goes, it was a toss up; just a matter of personal preference.

Loonytunes,

Yes, I agree that you can not do something like a French Polish, but a think they could do a "better" quality finish.

I guess there are many different definitions of "furniture quality" finish; depends on how much your willing to spend.

I know in my own shop I use about 8 different finishing techniques from simple sprayed finishes up to more advanced finishes such as French and English polishes or “layered” finishes.

Later,

Brrgrr,

If the scratches don't go into the stain, yes they can be removed. Sand lightly with some 320 grit sandpaper. Be real carefull not to sand through the lacquer. Remove the dust with a tack cloth and recoat with lacquer. Spray lacquer can be purchased in a can at Lowes. The problem is going to be blending. It's going to be easier to just recoat that entire side. Remember, you have to spray in a dust free environment.

If the scratches are minor you might be able to get away with just applying a light coat of wax. I use BriWax. Put on a very light coat and let it dry for 24 hours. Then, buff off with a clean cotton cloth. I use cotton diapers (new). Be very careful not to put swirl marks into the finish. Briwax actually softens the finish a little that's why you have to let it dry for 24 hours. It actually smells like kerosene when you open the can. The BriWax can also be applied with 0000 (four 0) steel wool, but unless you are familiar with that technigue i'd leave it to somebody with experience. The problem is the finish is so thin that you might damage the wood under it.

Another idea is to have a professional repair the scratches. Look under furniture restoration in the phone book. Some of these guys are so good that they can just about make scratches disappear even if they are in the wood.

Trueanalog,

According to the windows sticker at my local Audi dealer, the A6 is made in Germany. According the MB the CK and CLK are manufacturered in Germany. They also told me that they do not manufacture any cars in China.

I emailed Dali and they assured me that their cabinets are made in Denmark.

I really think that you need to reread the thread. Nobody is fualting the sound or design of the VR4jr's. I'm sure that that China is capable of doing and excellent finish.

later,