Focusrite VRM headphone speaker simulator
Jun 15, 2011 at 12:52 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 4

bassophile

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http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/recording/vrm-box-401591/review
 
on the review the price is listed at £96 - but I think street price is £20 lower.
 
It sure sounds interesting - there are a variety of studio monitors it emulates...
 
However, I've got a few questions.
 
Like, I'm not sure whether the unit contains a DAC itself or if you can use an external DAC with it. Also not sure if it simulates the spatial characteristics of speakers (ie. using things like crossfeed) rather than just the tonal qualitites of each monitor.
 
It would also be nice to know what impedance range of headphones the internal amp is able to deal with...
 
Anyway, looks interesting - what do you guys think??
 
Jun 15, 2011 at 8:17 PM Post #2 of 4
Quote:
http://www.musicradar.com/gear/all/recording/vrm-box-401591/review
 
on the review the price is listed at £96 - but I think street price is £20 lower.
 
It sure sounds interesting - there are a variety of studio monitors it emulates...
 
However, I've got a few questions.
 
Like, I'm not sure whether the unit contains a DAC itself or if you can use an external DAC with it. Also not sure if it simulates the spatial characteristics of speakers (ie. using things like crossfeed) rather than just the tonal qualitites of each monitor.
 
It would also be nice to know what impedance range of headphones the internal amp is able to deal with...
 
Anyway, looks interesting - what do you guys think??


Its a DAC/amp combo.  I'm pretty sure it only works with a computer and its designed to simulate the sound of the speakers, as well as the room.  I'm not sure if you can turn the speaker or room simulation off for a flat response with just the crossfeed.  It doesn't have vey much power either.  It probably wouldn't do too well with a good number of headphones.
 
If you do your listening from your PC I'd recommend using a media player that can use VST plugins like foobar or Jriver and getting TB Isone.  Here's a thread.  It starts off talking about an earlier version of the same plugin.  Isone lets you play with crossfeed, speaker simulator, and room simulator independently.
 
If you can't use Isone, Headroom, Meier Audio, and Practical Devices make headamps with crossfeed circuits.  I had a Headroom Total Bithead and the crossfeed on it was pretty subtle, my current PD XM6's crossfeed is adjustable between near stereo and complete mono, and I don't really know what Meier's implementation sounds like.
 
Aug 11, 2012 at 3:58 PM Post #3 of 4
The speaker emulation is cute, but looses any interest pretty fast but he effect can be turned off (in the software). My VRM drives my Sony cans (32 ohm) with plenty of authority and very nice sound quality. I wouldn't recommend the VRM for high impedance cans. See the other VRM thread - http://www.head-fi.org/t/536361/focusrite-vrm-box
 
Aug 13, 2012 at 2:17 AM Post #4 of 4
I've used TBisone for a while. but I actually much prefer the sound from the VRMbox. I just wish it had some more power behind it (I suppose that's what the Saffire Pro 24 DSP is for though)
 

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