Broken hearted...magnepan and vandersteen


I finally got an opportunity to hear the 1.7i magnepan. I will blame my ears and taste, but I was underwhelmed. I heard them with tweeters inside and outside for comparison. outside did sound a bit better. Then I allowed them to play the vandersteen quatro ct. The speakers disappeared into the music. Deep, tall, wide soundstage with excellent imaging and air around the different instruments. Full range sound. Thankfully the trio ct sounded almost the quatros equal. I really was ready to go with magnepan. I was surprised. All other speakers are sounding inferior now. 
glfrancis2

Showing 2 responses by fastfreight

Hi, I have owned Vandy 3A Sig's (my first nice speakers) and then B&W 802N.  Recently I shopped for new speakers for a new house.  I was super excited to audition the Vandy Quatros, and my lady friend LOVED the look of the Quatros and the idea of no subs (she liked the way they sounded before she even had heard them!).  We travelled to a VA dealer who acted like they were a no brainer at list price to order today.  Well, we were both unimpressed.  Bass not as good as good subs and just plain didn't like the sound. It was through good equipment by a dealer who knew how to instal and set them up (lots of tape marks on the floor).
Our search continued, listening to Kef Ref 3's and 5's, Focal's and  Sonus Faber.  We loved the ProAc K6's, but settled on a used pair of Revel Studio 2's.  Love them.  Yes, fairly inefficient, but smooth and balanced and you love them more and more as you listen.  I use a pair of REL Carbon Limited Subs and they improved not only the bass but imaging and overall sound as well.  Plus, no fancy crossovers or additional equipments as in the Quatro's. I still have my N802's in my basement system and still enjoy them, but not as much as the Revel's. 
Hi Stewart0722,  where are you located?
It would be fun to listen to each others systems...
I'm in Maryland.