Bookshelf Speakers — VAF Research VAF DC-2S

VAF Research builds the DC-2S, a compact two-way reflex speaker for shelf or stand, by hand to order in Adelaide, South Australia. The DC line is the value range of VAF, and this model follows the third-generation DC-2 MKIII, keeping its drivers and enclosure but using higher quality crossover parts in the sensitive parts of the circuit. It is meant for stereo in small and medium rooms, and for front or surround duty in home theatre systems. The pair was launched in July 2025 at AUD 1,699.

Key specs that matter

Quoted frequency response is 50 Hz to 21 kHz within 3 dB, and the wider range is 45 Hz to 23 kHz. Nominal impedance is 8 ohms, sensitivity is 86 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, and the speaker handles up to 100 W per channel. Each cabinet is 350 mm high, 180 mm wide and 245 mm deep, and weighs 5.75 kg.

Engineering and use context

The 130 mm bass and midrange unit comes from SB Acoustics and has a composite paper cone with papyrus fibre, mounted in a vented alloy chassis with a ventilated spider, a soft low-damping rubber surround, a linear suspension and a non-conducting fibre voice coil former. The Peerless tweeter pairs a dual-concentric diaphragm with a waveguide and a central phase plug aimed at wide dispersion. Setting it back into the front baffle, up to 30 mm thick, lines up the acoustic centres of both drivers in time, so that output from woofer and tweeter reaches the listening position together in both the time and phase domain. A star-shaped felt mat around the tweeter controls diffraction. The round reflex port sits below the woofer on the front.

VAF assembles the crossover manually, using air-cored pure copper inductors wound in-house to exact tolerances, and all parts are matched and wired point-to-point rather than mounted on a printed board. A factory upgrade adds Analysis Plus internal cabling and better capacitors. The cabinet is solid and veneered on both sides, and it comes in Brown Oak, Natural Oak, Black Oak or Jarrah Coloured Oak, with a flush-fitting black cloth grille 340 x 170 x 6 mm in size. Build-to-order lead time is around 12 weeks, and VAF gives a 10-year warranty plus a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pairing

VAF itself names the Rega io at 30 W, the Rega Brio MK7 at 50 W and the Marantz Model 60n streaming integrated amplifier at 60 W as suitable partners.

Alternatives

Within the VAF catalogue, the Signature i91 MKIII SE is the alternative bookshelf speaker.