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Audio Physic Scorpio or Vandersteen Signature 3A

Hi,
I am interested in buying either Audio Physic Scorpios or Vanderstaeen Signature 3A's. I am familiar with (and fond of) the AP signature sound. I love the dynamic punch of AP speakers along with the pinpoint imaging, crystal clear midrange they provide on well-recorded material. Some say AP's are too bright but I really like that crisp detailed treble.
I auditioned the 3A's yesterday and was pretty impressed with the natural box-free sound and deep bass they provide. They really do sound wonderful and so natural. That said, the 3A's did not have the high frequency treble extension I was hoping for. The dealer, who was a really great guy, explained that some tweaks can will make the top end of the Vandersteens sing. Does anyone have thoughts on these 2 speakers? I have ARC LS26 preamp, Spectron Musician 3 sig Amp, Resolution Audio CDP.

Thanks,
j_evege
philefreak
423 posts
 
No secrets. Although I did have to use a sub to get the last little bit of bottom but, in my room I've not found a speaker that a sub didn't help. I was using a 2A3 P/P amp with all of 20 watts per channel on them as well. I got every bit of 96 db peaks. Plenty loud for me. They are a pain to set up though. They like to be away from any walls. In a friends room they were thinner in the low bass and more bloated in the upper bass because of having them too close to side walls. I think this is one problem with side firing woofers especially if you have woofers on both sides so you can't turn the woofers to the inside to eliminate or at least lesson the room interaction.
hulskof
70 posts
 
Scorpio's are nice, but in my room I have difficulties getting the bass right with speakers that carry bassunits on the side instead of the front. Bass was very boomy and transition between bass and midrange was lacking quite a bit. Maybe they just need more space, I don't know. I also tried the more expensive Virgo V, but had the same problems with the bass (albeit a bit less than with the Scorpio's). It wouldn't be my pick.
j_evege OP
29 posts
 
Yeah,
I'm really torn here and appreciate all of your inputs. I have the Virgo 3's but they are already sold. I listened to them again for the last time today and I really love the crisp open top end. When I listen to well recorded electronic music like Wendy Carlos or Kraftwerk the AP's are so fast and clean. Are the Vandersteens considered fast? That is more my concern than the bass. I live in a Manhattan apt so I can't have earth-shaking bass or I'll also have door-knocking neighbors! The Vandersteen had a very full sound that I really liked but it seemed rolled off or slightly veiled on the top. Has anyone found ways around this? I must decide soon because I have no speakers right now! I also heard the ProAcs. They sound great but are beyond my current budget. Thanks, J : )
krisjan
100 posts
 
Vandy 3A Sigs ARE NOT rolled off in the highs as claimed above. They produce a very natural timbre for acoustic instruments compared to many/most "high-end" speakers which are fatiguing to listen to because the treble is simply too hot. If you want a natural treble, the 3A Sigs will deliver it in spades. If you want artificial audiophile detail, then go elsewhere.
eweedhome
227 posts
 
Agree with Krisjan 100%. The 3A sigs are not rolled off at all. In fact, for me, they tended to reveal a bit more than I wanted to know about certain recordings, and I ultimately went with some Harbeths (which others would describe as being "rolled off" in comparison to the 3A's). Particularly on jazz recordings, the 3A's did an amazing job of giving you the illusion that the musicians were right in the room with you (at least in my room). Fine reproduction of cymbals, in particular.
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