Von Schweikerts' vr4 gen III HSE vs vr4 Jrs?

I agree the VR4 Gen III HSE are better then the 4Jr and maybe even the 4SR - I would put a little reseveration there because I think the 4SR Mk2 can be made to sound phenominal with the right auxilleries (as is the case with the JR too) but all things being equal the HSE have the nod. The only place where they fail (miserablly IMO) is looks - they are ugly (big sock over wood) Vandersteen look. Yuck. I like the whole package...and if I have a choice where sonics are very close I'll go with the nicer looking equipment. Lets face it - if your gonna stare at something while listening to music might as well look nice. Unless you listen in the dark.... hehehe. Regardless VSA makes nice stuff....

I agree with Tvad and Arkio. The HSEs are far better than the Jrs and somewhat better than the original Srs. Haven't heard the Mark II version, so can't say for that one.

Oz

Interesting that VS has some speakers much better than others in his line. Vandy's are the same way.
With Tyler's, not one of his Excel models are better than another of his Excel models, just different, but not "better-ed"