Price Paid:  $450.00 from Direct from VAF

Summary:
I listened to a few speakers in the $ 800 to $ 1200 price bracket, Mission, Dali, AR, Paradigm and MIssion, none of which could compete with the refined sound put out by the VAF's, which can be had for less than $ 900 if you buy the kit which requires assembly.

Putting the speakers together is relatively easy apart from the the soldering, the tweeter surround is made from plastic, so you have to be very carefull when soldering the internal wiring, the instructions are clear and everything is provided, saving you about $150 on the assembled version.

In my opinion, these are best speakers you can by for under $ 1000 Australian dollars.

Strengths:
Crystal Clear Sound, High sensitivity, Great Punchy Bass.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Mission, B&W

Summary:
Awesome!!
I paid under au$900 for these in kit form, could've had a different cabinet finish for a bit extre $$ but got the black finish. Assembled them in no time, thanks to the "idiots guide on Vaf DC-7's" included. Hooked them up to Onkyo and spent the next 10 hours playing non stop various types of music...
They performed extremely well, no distortion at high volume, imaging was perfect and have good bass response.
They are very revealing of your music source, if it's a shi* recording they will reveal it!! Most of my music sounded completely different-I could hear instruments that wasn't there with my other speakers!
I highly recommend these if you're on a bit of a budget & are a bit of a handyperson.

Strengths:
Extremely clear, responsive bass which isn't boomy or tinny.
Aussie made-well they are after you put them together! A top company in South Oz who back their products!!

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Whatmough, JBL

Summary:
Bought the kit and put them together - no hassles
These have now loosened up and they are excellent value for money. They are clear, very responsive, sound stage is very impressive. I have auditioned many speakers in various price ranges but none of them came close to these except maybe a few which were double to triple the price and mostly due to the name on their badge.
Great value, Great sound and highly recommended.

Strengths:
Price, choice of finish, slim cabinets, clarity, tight bass response, imaging, sound stage

Weaknesses:
Not easily available to audition in stores..minor annoyance not weakness was:cabinets had writing over them but cloth covered this, inner foam had black spray paint on them(i'm just a bit fussy)

Similar Products Used:
nothing in this $ range compares -AU$859.00

Price Paid:  $420.00 from Vaf Research Kent Town

Summary:
After listening to all the hype and marketing bull /shi# about speakers. I am convinced people buy speakers and spend big dollars on brand name alone even though the speakers are not all that is promised. The Dc7s are not the best looking speakers in the $1000 and under market but they are simply the best sound for money. You dont compare these speakers to other brand names in there price range but to speakers that cost twice the price, then make a judgement. If your looking for value for money as far as sound goes ,you will not be disappointed. How is that possible you say? Well I had to assemble them myself.( easy with a little help from my 5 year old son). You also are buying direct. No middle man.

Strengths:
solid construction, excellent sound qualities, Compares to speakers twice the price. back up service,excellent for low powered amps.

Weaknesses:
None to date

Similar Products Used:
Listened to just about everything in the $1000 and under range.

Summary:
The more I listen to these speakers, the more they impress me. In fact, the more I listen to various other brands, the more I appreciate the VAFs. Thanks to the internet word of mouth, I took the plunge and bought the DC-7s without listening to them first (they have a 7-day money back guarantee.) I was very worried about doing this, but I needn't have been - which is what pretty much what everyone seems to say after buying some VAFs. In my experience, you'd have to pay almost twice the price at your local HI-FI shop to find this sort of quality.

In summary, if you're looking for maximum sound for dollar and particularly if you live in Australia, you owe it to yourself to give these a go.

Strengths:
Sound for dollar. Beautifully smooth, detailed and natural sound.

Weaknesses:
Fairly plain looking, hard to audition.

Similar Products Used:
Mission, Accusound, Richter, DB Dynamics, Jamo, Yamaha. All around the $1000 mark.