The Amazingly Affordable $150 Ranger L/S Bookshelf Monitor by Greg Voth

I received a pair of Vera-Fi Audio’s Ranger L/S Bookshelf Speakers about 6 weeks ago and, as usual, set them up on my computer desk, where the Vanguard Scouts (reviewed in these pages) have been working daily since they came in for review in late 2023. The L/Ss are intro-priced at $149/pair, half the Scout price, so I expected a smaller, lighter cabinet… Surprise: this speaker is very close in size to the Scout!

I played ’em daily until I felt they had enough hours to put on stands and try out in the loft without subs. 40 hours is the recommended break-in period (these have more). Like the Scouts, the L/Ss are surprisingly warm and punchy when played on their own. The low frequencies are pleasant, and they present jazz well enough to play without a sub or two.

A Side-By-Side Comparison to the Vanguard Scout

Both the Ranger L/S and the Vanguard Scout are base reflex designs, with a port on each speaker’s front or rear face, and both models are covered in rosewood veneer, with the L/S’s color noticeably brighter. Its edge work is painted a slightly more saturated shade of the veneer color rather than being veneered, saving time and money in fabrication. The L/S grill is a lighter, warmer color than the Scout’s black grill, which adds to its cosmetic appeal.

Both the L/S and Scout feature 1-inch silk dome tweeters. The L/S sports a 5″ treated-paper-cone woofer, while the Scout uses a 5.25″ treated-paper-cone woofer. The L/S frequency response is 50Hz-20kHz (+/-3dB); the Scout betters it slightly, with a lower reach to 45Hz. The L/S has a 4 Ohm impedance to the Scout’s 8 Ohm load, and the L/S sensitivity is 85dB to the Scout’s 84.5dB. Both have banana connectors. The L/S is 11.5 ” H x 7.5″ W x 9.5″ D with the grill on, compared to the Scout’s 12″ H x 6.75″ W x 9.5″ D. A L/S weighs roughly 10 lbs., compared to a Scout’s 12 lbs. sans packaging, so the L/Ss are more efficient to ship. That will certainly help in this crazy economy as Vera-Fi’s reach around the globe grows.

With both models so similar in size, design, and appointments, construction methods must have been modified to bring the L/S to market for half the Scout’s price, like painting the edge work rather than veneering it, which I think looks even sharper. That said, the L/S is “intro” priced, so if interested, get ’em while they’re hot… but are they hot?

Listening

I listened to various jazz albums while composing this first draft of my review thus far, when I randomly clicked on Jacob Collier’s “The Light For Days” (2025 Hajanga Records / Decca), unprepared for how this collection of songs, primarily vocal and acoustic, would sound through these speakers. The Ranger L/Ss presented this, Collier’s latest album, beautifully, with rich, warm tones that complement the depth of both Collier’s vocal and guitar playing.

This album is stripped down to feature Collier’s guitar abilities, rather than including the depth, dynamics, and larger scale of his previous recordings. But, oh, the richness! The L/Ss excelled in conveying the sweetness and thoughtfulness therein. It was a truly hypnotic moment, broken when I saw it was Something Heavy, the last track, and I actually got sad that the album was ending.

Dave McMurray’s 2025 offering, “I LOVE LIFE even when I’m hurting” (Blue Note / UMG Recordings, Inc.), dropped today, a very well-done and worthy listen, especially McMurray’s collaboration with Kem covering Al Jarreau’s wonderful We Got By. I’d yet to hear anyone else cover this one, a track I’ve heard countless times in this decade alone. With the 40WPC integrated volume at the 1:00 position, this sax player and singer sounded very natural and dynamic as they delivered a memorable version of this great tune.

To test the low frequencies, I put on Sting’s A Thousand Years from 1999’s “Brand New /Day”  (A&M Records) and waited for the soundstage to let me down, but it didn’t. Was it earth-shattering? No, but it still had the track’s great character, along with a low-frequency effort I hadn’t expected. The drums had speed; the vocals captivated. Imaging was very believable.

The title track, Fareed Haque’s 2025 homage to guitarist Pat Martino, “Return to the Joyous Lake” (2025 Art of Life Records, LLC), jumped through the L/Ss with unexpected dynamic urgency and drive. I was enthralled as Haque’s take on a classic track from Martino’s 1977 album “Joyous Lake” unfolded, masterfully executed. The instrument body was quite good, as was the soundstage depth. Haque had hoped to deliver this project for Martino to hear, but the jazz guitar master passed away before it was completed.

Haque’s take on Martino’s M’Wandishi was plentiful in both rhythms and dynamics, and quite lively. The L/Ss deliver musical energy even at their low price point. There was bass growl, along with plenty of warmth, rich sound, and well-deserved attitude!

Comparison with Vanguard Scout (photo above)

Playing We Got By again, Kem’s voice and McMurray’s sax seemed livelier, with more distinct transients, a more leading edge to the percussion, and finer texture to the skins. The Ranger L/S Bookshelf is one sweet speaker, delivering a slightly more forward sonic picture and, to my ears, bringing a bit more bass to the party. Instruments and vocals have more edge, and transients have a bit more speed. My wife walked into the loft while the L/Ss were playing and had no idea the small speakers were making all that good sound. Through the Vanguard Scouts, the music sounded distant and more polite.

Playing Sting’s A Thousand Years through the L/Ss, the opening low frequencies felt more forward, deeper, and more defined. There was more snap to percussion. Through the Vanguard Scouts, both songs sounded even more distant and polite, lacking immediacy. As always, and for this session, I listened to both sets of speakers without grill covers.

The Wrap

The Ranger L/S is a super-affordable bookshelf speaker with looks AND attitude!  A great starter set for a youngster yearning to get a leg up into music and audio, and a darn affordable upgrade to a desktop rig. I haven’t seen a value like this since the Vanguard Scout appeared, and they’re twice the price.

– – –

Specifications:

Product reviewed: Ranger L/S Bookshelf Speaker

Price: $149/pr (INTRO priced)
Contact:
Mark Schifter
Vera-Fi Audio LLC
9025 Crestview Drive
Denton, Texas 76207

Website: www.verafiaudiollc.com
Phone: (818) 584-6870
Email: verafiaudio@gmail.com

Specs and Features:
Finish: Real Rosewood Veneer
Driver: 5″ treated-paper-cone woofer, 1″ silk-dome tweeter
Power: 15-50W
Impedance: 4Ohms
Freq. Response: 50hz-20khz (+/-3dB)
Input: Banana Connector
Sensitivity: 85dB at 2.83 Vrms & 1m
Weight: 9kg (per pair)
Package Dimensions: 490 x 330 x 380 mm