Bookshelf Speakers — VAF Research Signature i49

The Signature i49 is the smallest and least expensive bookshelf model in the Signature Series from VAF Research, the South Australian speaker company started in 1978 by Philip Vafiadis. VAF describes it as the smallest speaker it has seen that carries a handmade 4-inch dual concentric driver with a full size 1-inch dome tweeter. The i49 is sold individually at AUD 899 per speaker, below the i90 at AUD 1,249 and the i90 SE at AUD 1,649.

Key specs that matter

One coaxial unit does all the work - a 4-inch woofer with the 1-inch dome tweeter at its centre. VAF rates the frequency range at 90 Hz to 20 kHz within plus or minus 3 dB and places the bass -3 dB point at 100 Hz. Nominal impedance is 6 ohms. The cabinet measures 130 x 130 mm with a depth of 100 mm and weighs 2.0 kg. Standard finishes are a textured black or white decor coat, and other colours can be ordered. No sensitivity or power handling figure is published.

Engineering and use context

According to VAF, the dome tweeter inside the i49 is the same unit fitted to the company's i91 monitor. Placing it on the axis of the woofer means highs and lows radiate from a shared point in space. The cube-like enclosure is meant for rooms short of space and for installs where visual impact has to stay low. The speaker can be placed on shelves, stands or component cabinets, fixed to a wall, or flush mounted into a wall or ceiling - stands, brackets and flush mounting hardware are sold separately. VAF builds every i49 by hand in its own Adelaide facility, beginning work only after a customer orders, with a build time of about 12 weeks, and each finished speaker is individually inspected and tested before packing. The warranty lasts 10 years, and VAF offers a 30-day home trial.

Pairing

Given its limited low-frequency reach, the i49 is intended to work with a subwoofer. VAF names its MPB-SW2 as the match for a stereo system - its most compact subwoofer, a sealed design with a 260 mm woofer driven by a 300 W RMS digital amplifier, variable gain and crossover controls and switchable phase. The maker also positions the i49 for five or more channel surround installations, where the small cabinet can go on walls or into ceilings. Its nominal load is within the range of ordinary stereo amplifiers and AV receivers.

Alternatives

The VAF Signature i90 is the next bookshelf model up, built around the dual concentric driver shared with the i91 in a 200 x 200 x 212 mm cabinet with a 64 Hz bass point.