For Vandersteen owners & lovers: Which other brands do you like?
If you didn’t own Vandersteens, what would you own instead and why? Or, if you switched to another brand what did you choose?
First, let me say that I am a Vandersteen owner for 20+ years, now on my 2nd pair of the 2CE, the Signature III. I have owned other brands, and heard many others and even liked some. 😀 I don’t change gear frequently once I settle on something. Lazy & frugal = me.
I am on the verge of being on the verge of getting the Vandy Treo CT. I have auditioned them at length. I have also heard the Quatro CT and if budget allowed (including upgrading my front end) I would get them for sure. I’m not a fanboy—there is a reason why Vandersteen has sold something like 100K pairs of the 2CE. They sound very good and all of their models are a real bargain/value in their category, imo.
I have heard and liked, for different reasons, Maggies, Magicos, Harbeths, Focals, Linkwitz-Riley, and other brands. Others that I have not heard intrigue me too. I keep circling back to Vandys—maybe it’s what I have known the longest. I have flirted with the Larsen 8 or 9, which is a totally different design (AbSound has reviewed them well), and also the MBL 120 and 126 (omnidirectionals).
I know I could be happy for life with Vandersteens (Treo, Quatro, or dreaming—the Kento or 7). I am interested in detailed opinions of alternatives in the $10K range though. Thanks!
Despite being 30-40 years old, the 2w sub shows what using quality components can do-provide problem-free performance. The 2 wq offers Q adjustment, but the Sub 3 really allows you to dial in the sub to reflect the room interaction. There are other sub manufacturers out there, but Vandersteen subs have shown they will work for decades without issue. Hence, a very cost effective choice. bob
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You should post this on the Vandersteen forum (go to website and look for the forum tab). I own the Treo CT's and Sub 3's. They really come pretty close to a pair of Quatro's. So, if you don't have the budget now, you can buy the Sub 3's later and still get the sound you love, at a very reasonable price. Other speakers I wanted: (working on getting the latter, but not in a rush). Bob
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I am the guy who bought the Treo CT's in PA. They are replacing my non-CT Treo's. To be honest, even the non-CT version plays pretty darn close to the CT. I also own the VLR's for my office system. I really can't understand why these little guys don't get more respect. Yes, I doubted their abilities, at first, but despite their small size, they bested a pair of Zu Omen Bookshelves by more than a mile.
Adding a sub will enhance either speaker. The new Vandy Sub 3 offers built in equalization which makes it one of the best subs out there. As others have mentioned, even the 2wq subs are good replacements-especially if finances are an issue. They are built like tanks- even 30 year old 2w's are still working as they should. And, do not feel you will not be welcome at the Vandy Forum. In fact, many of those responding here are members. HTH Bob |
Dang it, I should have bought a set when they came up for sale a year of two ago. In any case, I am in the process of literally reinstalling the Treo’s. I found some inexpensive granite Surface Plates on Amazon. So, I will start from the beginning and set them up using the Vandersteen manual. (I need to call John Rutan to order the Vandy pucks and felt, but things have to be running for T’day). Wish me luck... @patrickdowns , thanks for the kind words. As you know, the price was very, very good, and the seller is a really nice guy. All I can say is to do what I did, keep searching HifiShark daily. Bob |
I hope you get the Vandy's. I doubt you'll be disappointed.-Though I have no experience with Vivid speakers, but if you have listened to Vandy's and liked them, then I am sure it will be an upgrade. Yes, the equalized bass is pretty sweet. I own the Treo's with Sub 3's and couldn't be happier. I was going to start a new thread on the Vandy VLR's, but saw your post first and wanted to comment. Bob |
