How the VR55 MKII SE Evolved into the VR50: A Story of Innovation

SWA_TX

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Jan 26, 2025
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What happens when two innovators in high-end audio come together with a bold idea? You get a groundbreaking speaker that’s been reimagined, rebranded, and now stands as the new standard in luxury sound—enter the VR50.

In June 2023, Scott Walker Audio was deep into preparations for T.H.E. Show 2023 in Orange County, CA, working with Damon on a special pair of VR55s. The idea was to show off the VR55 MKII in all its glory, but during a conversation about the Ultra 55 and its exceptional midrange, Scott had an intriguing thought. What if we could “hot rod” the VR55 by swapping in the Ultra 55’s midrange? Damon, always open to experimentation, immediately thought it could work wonders.

With the vision in place, Damon decided to take the leap. They wanted to create something truly unique, something that would wow attendees at the tradeshow. The “SE” model was born—a VR55 MKII reimagined with the Ultra 55 midrange and accompanying crossover parts, offering an upgraded audio experience that was unlike anything else on the market. It wasn’t just a speaker anymore; it was a statement of sound innovation.

When the VR55 MKII SE made its U.S. debut at T.H.E. Show 2023, it turned heads. Audiophiles, critics, and enthusiasts alike marveled at its performance and design. It was clear that this was no ordinary speaker—it was something that had been fine-tuned and engineered to redefine what high-end audio could be. The fact the speaker was painted in McLaren Volcano Orange made the speaker unforgettable.

Fast forward to today, and the VR55 MKII SE has been rebranded into the VR50 . With the SE model’s success and popularity, Scott Walker Audio and VSA saw an opportunity to solidify this speaker as sweet spot in the lineup. With potent performance in a modest size footprint, the VR50 now represents a pinnacle of acoustic engineering, continuing the legacy of the original VR55 but with an even more refined and sophisticated edge. It truly gives you a glimpse of the Ultra line at their mid-tier price point.

We’re proud to be the owners of the very first pair of VR55 MKII SE speakers, now housed in our Texas store for you to experience. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to this masterpiece, we encourage you to stop by and hear the difference for yourself. The VR50 is not just a speaker—it’s a revolution in how you experience music.
 

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What happens when two innovators in high-end audio come together with a bold idea? You get a groundbreaking speaker that’s been reimagined, rebranded, and now stands as the new standard in luxury sound—enter the VR50.

In June 2023, Scott Walker Audio was deep into preparations for T.H.E. Show 2023 in Orange County, CA, working with Damon on a special pair of VR55s. The idea was to show off the VR55 MKII in all its glory, but during a conversation about the Ultra 55 and its exceptional midrange, Scott had an intriguing thought. What if we could “hot rod” the VR55 by swapping in the Ultra 55’s midrange? Damon, always open to experimentation, immediately thought it could work wonders.

With the vision in place, Damon decided to take the leap. They wanted to create something truly unique, something that would wow attendees at the tradeshow. The “SE” model was born—a VR55 MKII reimagined with the Ultra 55 midrange and accompanying crossover parts, offering an upgraded audio experience that was unlike anything else on the market. It wasn’t just a speaker anymore; it was a statement of sound innovation.

When the VR55 MKII SE made its U.S. debut at T.H.E. Show 2023, it turned heads. Audiophiles, critics, and enthusiasts alike marveled at its performance and design. It was clear that this was no ordinary speaker—it was something that had been fine-tuned and engineered to redefine what high-end audio could be. The fact the speaker was painted in McLaren Volcano Orange made the speaker unforgettable.

Fast forward to today, and the VR55 MKII SE has been rebranded into the VR50 . With the SE model’s success and popularity, Scott Walker Audio and VSA saw an opportunity to solidify this speaker as sweet spot in the lineup. With potent performance in a modest size footprint, the VR50 now represents a pinnacle of acoustic engineering, continuing the legacy of the original VR55 but with an even more refined and sophisticated edge. It truly gives you a glimpse of the Ultra line at their mid-tier price point.

We’re proud to be the owners of the very first pair of VR55 MKII SE speakers, now housed in our Texas store for you to experience. If you haven’t had a chance to listen to this masterpiece, we encourage you to stop by and hear the difference for yourself. The VR50 is not just a speaker—it’s a revolution in how you experience music.
Josh, that is some lofty praise for our product. Damon and the team will try to live up to it.
For your readers, the new model designations coincide with our new Von Schweikert website for 2025. The goal was to streamline our product and model offering and, as Josh said, have a clear top performer in every price class. The VR.fifty, with its underhung Accuton midrange used in the Ultra series, helped us achieve that goal. Josh, thanks again for the kind words!
 
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