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Decisions, decisions, decisions

I initially had a short list of potential speaker upgrades for my 2-channel set-up and I find myself in a bit of a quandry. I've narrowed the list down to 2 speakers and neither are remotely like one another. I currently have some mid-level Polks and they're "ok" in that they get the job done for low-level listening enjoyment but I really want to step it up a bit. I can justify $4K for my budge which puts me in a bit of a sweet spot for my preference for stand-mount speakers vs floor-stand speakers. However, my short list consists of either the new Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 stand-mount or the Vandersteen 2ce Signature III. Because the SF Sonnetto II G2s are brand new, a used option is out of the question. The Vandy 2ce III's come up used occasionally but where I live, previewing either one is not a viable option because there aren't any nearby dealers. That being said, I can get both of these from Audio Advice. If I went with SF Sonnetto, I would probably supplement those with a subwoofer down the road after sometime. At that point, I'm nearing the price range of the Vandersteen's. The question I have for the forum is does anyone have experience with the SF Sonnetto II pre-G2 and what are your thoughts about them?

I have a Marantz integrated at 50W and my only concern w/ the Vandersteen's is not having enough power to get great sound out of them without adding an amp (while I have a vintage Adcom GFA-2 at 100W/ch) that I could use, I"m not against getting an amp for either the SF's or the Vandy's.

I listen to a wide array of music genres but lean towards rock, jazz, electronic/industrial, dub, funk, and classical with some pop and old-school country thrown in on occasion. 

I've the impression that those with the Vandersteen 2ce's are very pleased with the SQ. But does anyone have experience with both speakers? 

 

 

 

bipod72

Showing 1 response by panzrwagn

panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
595 posts
 

You are looking at two great speakers, both of which would benefit from sn amp.upgrade. You have an Adcom GFA-5400 - that's a Nelson Pass designed 100W MOSFET that was a great amp new and is still competitive today. I'm pretty sure your Marantz has pre outs, so you're one set of interconnects away from a very workable amp setup. Now, let me toss out another speaker you should consider.  A Stereophile Class A rated full-range system, the only one under $10,000 pr. The Monitor Audio Silver 300-7s. I have a lot of respect for both the 2ce and the Sonnettos, but the MAs are simply a better value. Range, dynamics, transparecy, they are the complete package. If you're not a Stereophile fan, then consider these: the 2021-2022 EISA Award for Best Product in the Floorstanding Loudspeakers category, the 2021-2022 Hi-Fi News Best Value Floorstanding Speaker award, and the 2021-2022 Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product award. Yeah, they're that good. And with 90dB + sensitivity, your Adcom is plenty of power. At $3250 per pair $1750 less than the Sonetto, that leaves enough to start to consider what your next step might be. 

 

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