VAF DC-2S bookshelf speakers review

When the time comes to upgrade your system’s speakers — or build your first system — it might be tempting to seek out a bespoke, handmade pair for the extra quality they can offer over mass‑produced alternatives. Doing so, however, usually costs more — you know, the ‘do I really need two kidneys?’ kind of more. That is, unless you turn your attention to Australian loudspeaker brand VAF Research, which has been meticulously hand-crafting its models on a made-to-order basis for nearly 50 years, without the wince-inducing price.

This considered approach has earned VAF fans around the world, not only for its attention to detail, but because the resulting products are, in a word, superb.

What’s particularly impressive about this Adelaide-based outfit is that every range receives the same dedicated design and manufacturing care — from the $24,999 Signature i93 MKV (reviewed in Australian Hi‑Fi issue #538) to the far more affordable DC‑2S on test here at $1,699.

Within VAF’s lineup, the DC series is positioned as the ‘greatest bang for buck performance,’ a claim that dates back to the DC‑X floorstanders that launched the range in 1997 for just under $4,000. Adjusted for today, that’s roughly $8,000, yet the current sixth‑generation DC‑X lists at $4,499 — underscoring the value brief that defines the series.

Set against that legacy, the new DC‑2S — arriving 28 years after the inaugural DC‑X — is, in VAF’s words, ‘the best performing VAF DC range bookshelf speaker in our storied history.’

Design and build

As mentioned, all VAF Research speakers are made to order in the company’s Adelaide facility, and the DC-2S is no different. Lift them from the box and the meticulous craftsmanship is immediately obvious — they’re impeccable. The timber enclosure, built in South Australia, feels especially solid, thanks in part to its 30mm-thick front baffle. There are four stained finishes available: Natural Oak, Black Oak, Jarrah-coloured Oak, and Brown Oak. Interestingly, cycling through colour options on VAF’s website doesn’t change the product images, nor is there a clear depiction of which finish is which. As such, if the DC-2S sounds appealing, I’d strongly recommend visiting your nearest dealer to see the finishes in person. A removable black cloth grille is supplied, although it attaches to the front panel using pins, rather than magnets. When it’s removed, four mounting holes are clearly visible, which may deter some buyers who prefer a more minimalist design.

This is a two-way bass reflex standmount design using a 130mm natural-fibre cone bass-mid driver supplied by SB Acoustics, and a Peerless XT25 dual-concentric diaphragm tweeter with a specialised central phase plug. VAF says it chose this tweeter for its “excellent on- and off-axis performance” and wider room dispersion. The tweeter is slightly inset to improve time alignment with the bass-mid driver. The bass-mid uses a vented alloy chassis to increase rigidity and reduce resonances; venting also helps relieve internal air pressure, which can lower distortion.

A front-facing bass reflex port makes the DC-2S more forgiving with placement, but it should be particularly attractive to those with small to medium-sized rooms. And in my room they certainly made an impression, as you’ll find out in the ‘Listening Sessions’ section shortly.

The Adelaide work extends to VAF’s own hand-wound pure-copper inductors in the crossovers here – the handover point being 3 kHz, and the frequency range of the DC-2S is stated at 50Hz ~ 21kHz ±3dB, which promises solid bass reach for a mid-sized standmount, along with clean highs.

With sensitivity of 86dB and 4 ohms nominal impedance, you might think some solid amplifier power would be required to bring out their best. But on VAF’s own website, the company recommends two compact half-width amplifiers as pairings — the Rega iO and Brio MK7 — and also my own current reference amplifier, the Marantz Model 60n. The 60n delivers 80W into 4 ohms, giving it sufficient headroom but not unlimited power. Yet this easily proved enough to have the DC-2S on song.

Listening sessions

With the VAFs hooked up to the Marantz amp, I carried out the bulk of my listening via Qobuz Connect, made available via a recent firmware update.

To kick things off, I was inspired by the list of Massive Attack test tracks that we published in the previous issue of Australian Hi-Fi. I began with a familiar but forgotten favourite, ‘Safe From Harm’, and was immediately taken aback by the rendition. It was as if the band was right there in front of me in my listening room. VAF boasts the stereo imaging of the DC-2S is “ridiculously good” and I have to agree. Shara Nelson’s vocal is a real highlight here, but the pulsating bassline provides the necessary support, and the DC-2S are able to go low when asked, much lower than I expected from a speaker of their size. While I might have been sold on the merits of 2.1 channels following my review of the Paradigm Defiance S12 subwoofer in Australian Hi-Fi #542, listening to the DC-2S made me reconsider. If you appreciate a good helping of bass, I would recommend first listening to the VAF speakers without a subwoofer connected; I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what they’re capable of.

Switch to ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ and vocalist Shara Nelson’s voice comes through with exceptional levels of emotion. In fact, I noticed throughout the entirety of my testing that the DC-2S handles vocals particularly well. They shine through the mix, taking centre stage.

They’re in their element with more upbeat tracks too, such as Miley Cyrus’ ‘Walk of Fame’ from her most recent album, Something Beautiful. It’s a true onslaught of a dance track, featuring an extensive lineup of supporting musicians, including Danielle Haim of the band Haim on electric guitar. Once the Bronski Beat-inspired intro vocal gives way to the underlying synth beat provided by a Roland TB-303, the DC-2S are more than happy to deliver the energy required. Miley’s vocals come through loud and clear once again, but what struck me most was how the DC-2S turned their modest looks into an unexpectedly lively, party-starting performance.

The DC-2S can also be delicate and poised, as shown when playing London Grammar’s ‘Stay Awake’ from If You Wait, where they reveal fine detail. The opening guitar strings come through clearly and fill the room, with the openness and airiness that give them an intimate feel.

Where I feel the DC-2S excel in particular is with soundtracks. I recently rewatched the 2015 Award-winning documentary Amy, based on the life of Amy Winehouse. It never fails to make me feel emotional, not only for the struggles the iconic English singer-songwriter faced, but for its soundtrack. The closing track, ‘Amy Forever’, is the one that really hits me in the feels.

Listening through the DC-2S was the most emotive performance I’ve yet heard. The opening piano notes pierce through with just the right amount of bite. When the violins and other stringed instruments come in, it’s once again a wonderfully delicate performance by the VAF speakers. This introduction of more instruments at around the one minute mark also increases the volume, and the DC-2S take it in their stride, expressing lovely dynamics.

Switching to ‘Like a Dog Chasing Cars’ from The Dark Knight soundtrack, reveals a wonderfully cinematic presentation. The rumbling bass drums are low and controlled and the dynamic shifts of the piece are handled with expertise. One thing I did notice when listening to this particular track is that I would’ve liked the violins to have a little more shine. They’re not muddied in any sense of the word, although listening to the same piece via the KEF LS50 Meta speakers does reveal an extra nuance that allows the violins to extend beyond the rest of the mix.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a pair of bookshelf speakers under $2,000, the VAF Research DC-2S absolutely deserves an audition. They’re beautifully made speakers and the level of care and dedication that has gone into their production is apparent from the get go. They sound terrific — provided you choose the right partnering equipment — and will keep you engaged for years to come.