Bob Dylan - Things have Changed…..
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!
Showing 8 responses by tomic601
Vandy high pass filters implement DBS and a few other tricks w caps and components in an adjustable filter as your system changes. They are available SE or XLR. The 5 and 7 amps with built in HP filters are XLR only. Yes Ayre, Aesthetix and others can implement a High Pass in the input stage or typically require more surgery to an integrated… however don’t count on the advantages of DBS…. @raindog911 ;-) Fire is mighty fine wire. ;-) sounds like we have a LOT in common Best to you Jim |
another vote for the teflon high pass filters ;-) I call them the Kento filters but they are as @raindog911 pointed out a great low cost upgrade. I run them on my Treo CT / sub3 system, the 7 high pass amps in my reference system have a built in high pass. Enjoy the music ! |
Jim and Richard were friends ( RIP Jim - another on the list of greats lost early ). They certainly shared many design objectives; First order filters, minimum front baffle, time and phase correct. They differed on a few points but much more in common back then. … Until recently i maintained a set of CS 2.3 + in an ancillary system w Quad ESL 63, Apogee Stage, Magnepan LRS, Heavily modified Cornwall…well the list is long…. and what did i say about casting a wandering ear ? Probably the biggest Theil design departure is the philosophy of flat at listening position…. which presents as bright to some people in some systems in some rooms. Both Jim and Richard are measure AND listen guys…. these are just facts… Vandersteen do make a coaxial speaker w cabinet in cabinet the VLR - Signature which incorporates the carbon tweeter. They are designed for near wall, stand mount and pair extremely well w Vandy subs 3 or used 2’s. A set of stands from sound anchor and away you go. Can’t say who but a guy w many platinum records use VLR on his mixing board…. It’s ALL fun… Enjoy the music Jim
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Cabinet in a cabinet starts w Treo. It’s expensive… The 7 is cabinet in cabinet and a carbon fiber layer. The 1-2-3 aka sock series are too budget constrained to get the lower distortion cabinets, ditto the original sock Quattro. I will mention, ALL the Vandy cabinets are built in house in California….. The 5 series are massively braced and use a very dense stack w milled cavity for the head assembly. The 5A is as mentioned a fantastic speaker….still today…. probably a bit much in your room… just my $.02. |
what a lovely civil and helping thread…warms my heart….maybe just maybe there are great caring humans here after all…. Cast a wandering ear as far and wide as you want to…. i have crossed oceans to hear gear that interested me. It like music is global. IF you get to California you know where to find me and Treo CT w sub3. @islandmandan Good on you and yours…grace peace and happiness . In my younger years i spent a bit of time surf fishing Steelhead on the wild sides of your Island… Paradise…. there is a lot of experience, wisdom and maturity in advice given… most if not all suggestions could certainly lead to musical bliss….. I won’t belabor all the various combinations of Vandy products new and or used that can also get you there…plenty of that going on the owners forum on the Vandy site. enjoy the journey ! Jim |