Thiel bought them out. changes are coming. Just kidding. |
All Good
Spoke to RV yesterday was in his typical jovial mood.
He was putting the finishing touches on a pair of HP7 7 amps we ordered
Delivering on schedule!
Best,
JohnnyR
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The few times I spoke with Richard, he was not jovial and actually sounded annoyed with my questions. |
I can't tell you enough how supportive Richard is. I moved my Vandersteen 5A's to Arizona from New Jersey where they was expertly set up, but there was no Vandersteen dealer here in Arizona I could call on for the new placement. When Richard heard I was in need of help He called Me and helped me with my setup. He gave me things to do/check, and when that was completed we went on to the next phonecall/task. A couple of years later, I heard some noise in my left speaker...sent the midrange to Richard for repair. It was checked to be in perfect shape - I sent the tweeter - that too was working well. Richard called to see if he could help with the issue further...instructed me to send the crossover....I sent that with the amp and hi pass filters for battery replacement while it was there for the checkup. Richard found something in the crossover - but when I got it back it hummed. He again helped me with that issue.....the system is amazing again. Richard, and John, from AudioConnection in New Jersey are the very best of the breed.
Stereo 5 - Jovial???
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RV is a savant at what he does.........I've owned various versions of 2s
and a pair of 5s for a time.....
My phone calls to him have always been the same: He's annoyed, short
and extremely curt.
It's a well known fact of audio lore, and nothing he did for you Stringreen will change the fact that the best thing RV could ever do is get someone else to talk to customers........
It didn't really move me away from the brand, but it certainly didn't help keep me either.....I now own Magnepans and they're pretty much just as bad if you ever do call...... |
I met RV about 5 years ago, at a local audio event demoing these huge 750w SimAudio amps on the Model 7's. He had flown himself into town for something else, so just happened to be able to be there. I was chatting with him after the demo, but I was also expecting a text message. The text came in, so I glanced down at my phone...Richard immediately walked away from me, practically mid sentence. ha! I learned my lesson! ;) No matter. I could tell he was/is a straight shooter.
To the point-- I have run into more and more companies (not just in audio) that are doing well enough, with plenty of work, so they do not need to update their website, nor do they care about the constant social media updates people expect these days... Online presence does not always mirror a companies status. Especially smaller operations.
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Beyond OK
richard and I talk about every other week
does he have strong opinions - yes
is he direct but blunt - sure - think of it as verbal and emotional efficiency - he has dealers to apply sugar - not that his product needs it IMO
do we always agree - no
is he running a fantastic business with great products - yes
is he sourcing almost everything inside USA - yes
does he employ more than two handfuls of fellow Americans - yes
He is
working on cool new products
i love our 7 mk2
working up to his amps after I get the triplaner arm bolted down....
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+1 stewart0722 RV has a singular vision of what he wants out of his creations and once he fixed upon his philosophy of speaker design it has and continues to be a quest to perfect that vision. He is regularly updating his various speaker designs to get the highest level of performance that is possible at the time. In fact, it is that quest that I believe drives him. Is he a great phone call, No. Do I care? Not a whit! His employees speak well on his behalf. Just let Richard be Richard.
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Yup, he can be a bit curt, and I do think he rubs people the wrong way, but I can tell he is a straight shooter.
He can't delegate the PR to someone else, because he knows what he knows from experience-unfortunately that is something that can't be taught to just anyone.
If you need someone with a bit more bedside manner, then PM or call John Rutan at Audioconnection. He can give any Vandy information that you need to know.
Bob |
Another thought...
he places avemphasis on real knowledge vs. musings
to wit
he was aware of the discussion about aerodynamic approach to driver design that was referenced in the $60 k speaker thread....
his comment to me
i invented and patented that years ago... and decent engineer would know that....
i paraphrase a bit
but
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I started accompanying a long-time Vandersteen dealer to the Vegas CES in the mid-90’s through early-2000’s, and one year Richard invited the dealer and his wife and a couple of the dealers staff to dinner. The dealer asked Richard if he minded if I and my girlfriend came along as well, and he said no problem. He paid not only for the expensive dinners, but for many bottles of real good wine, which he selected himself (he knows about wine as well as speakers). I kept my ears open as Richard spoke that evening, learning a great deal about many things. He is somewhat of a Renaissance man, yet a down-to-earth blue-collar fella, with no pretense or artifice---my kinda guy. I came away from a meeting with the head of the Wilson Audio Sales division with a very different impression ;-). |
@bdp24
I'd be interested in hearing what you think about the Sales division head.
PM me.
Though, to be fair, he wasn't the designer, like Richard.
I didn't know Richard was an oenophile, thanks for including that info.
B |
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Look, RV is a master speaker designer and business owner. He is not running for office. His nature is to be succinct and to the point. That said, he has never been anything less than pleasant and courteous to me whenever I have spoken to him in person or on the phone (a few instances of each over the years). I would rather have someone like him running an audio company than some glad-handing guy who is all smiles but lacks knowledge or accessability. My $0.02. |
Importantly, people are singular human beings, and their time is limited. They have to work, not just communicate.
Different mental states take time to switch between and doing so constantly is stressful....and time consuming on it’s own.
When I (Ken, not Taras) was involved in running Goo Systems every day, the phone calls alone would have amounted to 50 or 70hrs per day, if not more - if I let people talk to me as much as they wanted to. Calls which were about Home Theater, Home theater audio, acoustics, projection, screens, projector technology, making of rooms, isolation of rooms, contrast, realization of contrast, seating, electrical systems, the intricacies of eye and ear function in science and mental wiring, and a hundred other things they wanted help with or wanted to share.
When I finally quit answering the phone as I was going mad and had zero spare time...there were 56 unanswered calls on the system. This is with me editorializing in real time and keeping people on track and limiting or zeroing verbal digression. This is with me dissuading people from taking my time but trying to remain viewed and known as a good guy who helps out.
Audio conversations from customers are arguably worse than that. When one possesses answers to questions which can fill in the blanks for others and thus open up even more questions, people tend to want to stay in that mode and just eat it up. Then they want to go back and do it again. Audio is emotions so it’s a deep hook.
It’s great to converse with people who have a deep knowledge of the field but it can also be quite draining for the ’knowledge resource’ person, with regard to life that is eaten up. It has to be moderated by one or both parties in the given moment or overall scenario.
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Here's my recent Vandersteen story....
I bought a pair of Vandersteen model 3 for a very low price. The seller told me they had a problem, but the price was right and I could part them out for much more than I paid for them. I listened to the speakers, did a bit of testing and found one of the tweeters was not operational. I called Vandersteen, got their VM and received a call back on my VM from Richard. He left a brief, but detailed message regarding how to send the unit in for service. Jump ahead a month......
I followed the instructions on the Vandersteen website regarding sending a driver in for service. Shipped the tweeter on Thursday, 9/7/2017 and the tracking information showed an estimated delivery date of Monday 9/11. Early afternoon on Monday 9/11 (Eastern time) I received a call from Ray at VA. They had received the tweeter that morning, repaired it and Ray was calling to confirm the total COD fee for the return shipment. He also said the tweeter would arrive back to me on the following Friday 9/15. Sure enough, on Friday 9/15 the tweeter arrived and I gave the cashier's check to the UPS driver. Deal done. No drama, no issues and everything went EXACTLY as the folks at Vandersteen said it would.
In my opinion, the folks at Vandersteen are top-notch - I've never gotten better support. |
I asked a similar question years ago about a prominent high end audio manufacturer as I was unable for a week or so to even get a call returned regarding info on a device I was intent on acquiring. And did buy it shortly thereafter.
The maker’s worshipers and sycophants descended en masse. Each one Flamed on intensively disregarding the content of the post and construing only their own imagined negative inferences and posted unintelligent disassociated and often condescending blurbs
It turned out the Place was experiencing exceptionally bad weather and were unable to travel to the offices for several days.
Who knew? AMAZING!
Walking away from someone you are engaged in conversation without mention. Being although easily annoyed, short. Curtly answering a question then hanging up. Being condescending if the particular question seems rudimentary. These are without exception clearly thoughtless and rude behaviors.
Kindness costs nothing. Not one thin dime, and takes little more than a second or three to provide, and or at least be considerate, it will reap great dividends. When kindness, or interest, is feigned or is in earnest, can be displayed to another. Even briefly it is always well received.
Winston Churchill said “good news takes time to spread. A bad news rumor can get around the world before you get your pants on in the morning.
When I ran a retail store it was said often, “Good news travels well, bad news travels better.” One satisfied customer may tell others of his or her experience. If however it was a bad one, they will tell everyone they meet… stopping strangers on the street to do so.
If your neighbor, a relative, office worker, co-worker, store rep, mechanic, or some friend of a friend had the social shortcomings or character defects being listed for Mr. Van, not one person here would be making excuses for those likewise afflicted people. None. No one would condone behaviors like that for long. Nor should they.
Let’s be real for a moment. You would avoid them if at all possible. Have as little to do with them as you could. I think too, you would let those folks whose social skills are so often reticent make their own excuses for their ongoing obvious, lack.
In fact if recurring contacts were at hand with these people in our personal lives, we would all likely mention their character shortcomings to them at some point with the hopes of change taking root. Or simply stay away from them.
Ignoring an instance of untoward disaffection from a person is one thing. Making excuses for them is something else entirely.
It’s almost like dating. A nice looking date can get away with being late 5 to 10 minutes without much grief. A very attractive date can pretty much get away with being late by as much as perhaps half an hour. But if you have an exceptionally gorgeous date, so long as they show up before sun rise, all is well.
If it’s a gorgeous fantastic looking porn star I’d even sit in the rain while waiting. If asked. Even by text.
It seems the same goes for their character defects. They get ignored. Why? That dynamic is too big to delve into here or to dwell on. It does point to both parties having some real issues which need addressing. Usually, it revolves around one wanting something from the other, and the other one knowing or presuming it.
Doubtless, we won’t buy whatever truly desired product because of or in deference to, the personality of the maker, be it nice or off-putting.
There was an attitude years ago that prevailed throughout high end audio which was and remains a decided turn off IMO and that was arrogance. Elitism. Some would even run down competition. Even competitors they sold in house sometimes.
I’ve been told face to face, you don’t want to buy those ABCs…. If you were really serious and a mature audiophile you would buy the XYZ’s instead. As well, “those are for the hobbyists”, or “These are plainly entry level fare”, and or “if it ever breaks down you are going to be screwed trying to get it fixed as their service takes forever and it sucks.””.
Or, if you owned anything other than what the house was selling you knew little or nothing about audio and they would say as much while smirking smiling or laughing out loud.
God forbid you proffer your inclination for tube powered gear when they don’t have a stick of it on the premises. I did that once. It was met with bald faced ridicule.
I’ve gone so far in some of these ridiculous discourses to reach in my pocket and pull out several grand and use it to wave bye to them as I walked out of the store.
Time is too short. There are way too many other options to contend with such intentionally demeaning conduct.
I’d not expect anyone to kiss my foot. Hold my hand. Just be professional knowledgeable about more than merely what they attempt to sell, and congenial. A willingness to bargain is a big plus.
Even in the small and eclectic world as is upper end audio, there are tons of choices in nearly every arena. Of them all choosing a speaker system is probably the one with the greatest number of entries from which to select.
Timely efficient support is not optional, it is expected and should be demanded, especially given the expense some of these products appear to warrant.
At times, after the sale support is like eating at restaurants. If you ever go into the kitchen of your favorite restaurant it is doubtful you will ever eat there again.
Why folks don’t take the time to call the company making the item of their dreams to get a feel for them prior to buying it, always astounds me. Finding out about who is doing what behind the scenes first is how to go about it if support matters, and it does indeed.
Even Rolex’ & Bugatti’s break down. What happens then is as important as is their performance, and what was implied you would receive when you paid for it in the first place, if or when necessary.
Personally, if a maker or their support resources do not have time for me after the sale, then I have to feel I have spent my money unwisely. Apart from one extreme deleterious episode in this past time, many years ago, I’ve had many exceptional ‘after the sale’ interaction with any number of well established manufactures and all have been incredibly polite, thoughtful, understanding, empathetic, helpful, timely, efficient, and most importantly, available.
Most all to date I’ve had contact with have even been helpful with a piece I’ve bought used. If they can’t be at least cordial, as was already said right here, let someone else pick up the phone as it is obviously .not their strong suit.
It’s good to hear service has been great for those who have had need of it from VDS and commensurate with their product lines overall reputed performance as posted here. I’d not go so far as to make excuses for any company whose people skills were subpar though. That’s not my province.
Sell enough stuff to enough people and there will be those inconsolable hard to please sorts who will by their very nature become outspoken thorns, squeaky wheels, etc. it just happens. Today it seems to happen more and more viciously given the dark web and it’s none descript casual availability. It’s too bad too. Oil well.
Don’t worry. Barring unforeseen tragedy, I’d think VDS will be around for a long while. Despite what anyone says or thinks. Or how good or bad is their web site info or social updates.
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Blindjim......interesting read. I agree everyone should be nicer to each other. On the other hand you don't really know the situation Stereo5 et al is talking about. Dealing with the public can be very tricky and nuance has a great deal to do in communication with typed words... There are many that have good experiences with Vandersteen. He answers questions on his website continually, can always be contacted by phone if he's in his office, and in truth has provided great value with his products at nearly every price point/performance level, and is apt to stay in business for many years. He provides updates to his products when economically feasible for his customers. He attends seminars around the country. Vandersteen is valuable for us in the audiophile community, and I and many others wish him continued success.
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Indeed I'll go into bat for Richard V--I, as a complete noob at a CES
asked his opinion on one of his products and he answered courteously
and precise to the point --all I you've asked for--
considering one of his staff in the room whispered to me he had just been fined $400 for moving a Wardrobe in the Room without informing the officials
Nope top bloke!
team |
I'm sitting here listening to my newly repaired Vandersteen model 3, very thankful for the incredibly quick repair performed on my tweeter (they received it, fixed it and shipped it the same day). They saved my weekend listening! Thanks Richard, Ray and All at Vandersteen......
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reubent,
Sounds like you got a great deal and a great speaker. One of my few memorable dealer listening experiences is from years ago, listening to the Vandersteen 3s, ARC Classic 60, Mark Levinson preamp, Linn LP12 in a fairly large room.
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All we really know, is.... if Ricahrd Vandersteen were a Hot Porn Star, at least one of us would diligently wait in the rain for a set of his speakers.
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@slaw - yep, I took a bit of a chance, knowing the speakers had some damage. But I spent a little time doing some diagnosis, re-glued a woofer surround on one speaker and got the tweeter repaired on the other. Of course, removing and re-installing the socks takes a bit of time too. Anyway, ended up with a fine pair of fully functional, cosmetically near-perfect Vandy 3's for not very much money invested. I'm listing to them now and they are a fine sounding speaker. Not the ultimate in detail retreival (in my room with minimal time spent setting them up), but very musical and easy to listen to for hours at a time.
The folks at Vandy were "the best" to deal with regarding repairing the tweeter. They provide excellent instructions regarding how to remove the socks, test the speakers, remove the drivers, etc. They also provide instructions regarding re-installing the driver, soldering the cables to the lugs on the driver and even taped a length of solder on the enclosed instruction sheet. It could not have been a better experience. Well done Richard and Company..... |
Rubent
hear hear :-)
as a long time sig 3a owner ( now 7)
you will benefit greatly with the purchase of a pair of sound anchor stands and a serious setting up per the manual
congrats on a very fine and musical speaker !!!!!!
jim
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teo_audio
i am out in the Seattle rain waiting for a pair of his monoblocks... !!!!
and they will be monstrous!!!!!
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