Any 5a owners?

5A's make music sound like music. Even with all their controls though, don't ignore experimenting with placement. I put mine, thanks to Zargon's advice, on some baking or cookie pans moving them inches and fraction of inches over many weeks before taking them off and finalizing their placement. Also, don't ignore their left to right tilt, get them straight up and down.

Ditto Audiofeil's sentiment. I have an audio friend who has these speakers powered by Parasound JC1s and they are simply sublime and transportive. You will not miss a thing with the 5a. The bass alone is absolutely ruler flat to 20 Hz. Time and phase coherent too; no subtraction of musical timbre via phase cancellations.

Rpeluso...you'll realize how good the 5A's are when you get better components. (Ayre or Audio Research)

Have Rogue magnum 99 pre, Classe DR5s in mono, MMF 7.1 tt, and Marantz 8001 SACD player. Replacing my beloved Snell CIVs. Did not listen to the 5A carbons, with the recent price increase for 5As (now nearly 19K) this was all I could manage.

Like many, I love my 5A's, too. Just curious:

What amplification and source components will you be using?

Did you get to hear and/or buy the 5A carbons?

Happy listening! (But I guess that goes without saying...)

I bought 5a off John and I never regreted it, he takes care of his customers and the speakers where wonderful had them for many years. He is also one of the best people to set them up which is equally important.

One of the finest speakers at any price.

IMO

..I'm another fan of both John and Richard's speakers.

John is a great guy (even if he hasnt got back to me) hint hint my friend. OK jokes aside your gonna love thise 5A speakers, congrats!

John loves and respects Vandersteen speakers and really knows how to get them to sing. Nice Guy too.

Congratulations !!! Vandersteens are wonderfully musical speakers, and you should really enjoy them. Do a search here on Audiogon. There are lots and lots of threads about Vandy's, and many, many happy owners. Happy Listening !