Initial impressions of my new Vandersteen Quatro's in Audi Havana Black


I will post pics when I get more time on them.  I had them delivered and set up by Johnny Rutan of Audio Connections.  He moved them out to the corners of the room and close up against the back wall. I love the look as does my wife.  I also LOVE the HUGE soundstage these things can now throw.  NO SUCK OUT either.  I was shocked at that aspect. I was scared to death when he started them in the corner of the room. I have a very difficult room for bass as it's an open floor plan. I lose a lot of bass on the right channel as it's by a stair case.  I'm putting up a temp wall by the railing.  I am using a screen right now, but I need treatment of some sort still. 

That said, it only has about 30 hours or so and it's already starting to sweeten up.  I'm hearing so many things that I haven't heard in the room before.  I'm hearing bass passages that hasn't been there before.  On one passage of a  Bela Fleck song, the room just moved.  The thing is that I've heard so many of these songs on Wilson's and Magico's and B&W"s and Focals, Paradigms, Legacy's and so many other speakers, but the tonality of the Vandersteen bass is just special.  It's so accurate. What so many don't know is that the way he designed the bass amp, you still have the same sound as YOUR main amp.  Not sure how he does it, but he does.  You don't hear the difference. 


I think that the reason some don't get the Vandersteen's at first listen is because it's not like other speakers.  We aren't used to hearing a speaker that isn't 'hifi' sounding.  Its very organic. To me, it's like analog vs digital.  Both can sound GREAT, but digital is still digital and that's why vinyl and reel to reel are still going strong after all of these years.  Kind of reminds me of a plasma TV vs the LCD TV's when I went to purchase mine.  I was originally taken by the brightest TV's in the showroom, but I keep going back and watching all the Plasma's in the darker room that Magnolia was showing them in.  I wanted the Pioneer, but could only afford the Panasonic's. I have two of them and love them.  People actually ask me why their TV doesn't look as good.  I first ask if they had it calibrated professionally.  The answer is always no and then tell them it's a plasma.  

Set up isn't fun for me, so Johnny does it for me.  I'm digging my new set up and will write more later, but i am Jonesing to go up to the loft to listen some more.  I'm really loving the organic sounds of my system right now.  All genres too which is just awesome.  Not taking any digs at others systems, just loving mine.  We all hear differently and I get that.
ctsooner

Showing 23 responses by gdnrbob

@spe .
Great post.
It just goes to show that when you 'do the right thing', the world is a better place.

Bob
Nice to hear that they are sounding and looking great. Get those pics uploaded ASAP.
PS- Your old Treo's are the love of my life.
Bob
@nmmusicman,
I wonder what Mr. V would think about your changing fuses? I know he is a bit dogmatic, but I think you should give him your opinion on the matter. Who know, he might just swap out the fuses in future models.
Bob 
@ctsooner 
I use a pair an old pair of Rockefeller's. 
I just can't justify the expense of some of these cables. Though, now that I am running monoblocks, I can use rather short runs. So, maybe they can be in my future.
@nmmusicman 
I agree with your stance, but I still think you should share your information with Richard. It might be something he will incorporate in future designs.- And help all future owners.
Bob
Yes! I got the same treatment from Sound by Singer. If you don't look affluent, then they couldn't give a hoot. That was many years ago, but I still have the bitter taste in my mouth.
Innovative Audio was a much nicer place to visit. They were in Brooklyn.
I don't know if they are still around.
Sad that such places can still be around after all those years.
Bob
Patrick,
I would ask that you consider the Treo's or Quatro's, They not only look nicer, they sound better/. The non-CT versions can be gotten for not and much more than the 3a sigs. Even Richard said it would be a better route.
And, yes it was on a call he returned when I had a question.
Bob
@desktopguy,
I would have inquired as to what your tech friend was using to drive his Vandie's. With the right equipment, they can be pretty 'forceful'. Though, as you say he may have been wanting something else.
And, I agree, Mr. V has a great ear and produces some fine speakers for a reasonable price-made with great quality. Those who fall under his sway, seldom leave.
Bob
@ctsooner ,
How much of a difference is there
 between the 
 non-CT Treo's and your CT Quatro's?
Bob
Thanks nrenter, tomic and Ctsooner.
My question regarding the upgrade to Quatro's should have included my use of the Vandy 2w's with ct's Treo's. Though I don't have the 'q' factor, I am getting much of the bass that the Quatro would provide- just not as much ability to configure the bass to my room.
I doubt I will be upgrading for a while ( or at least until ctsooner sells me his Quatro's, ;) ). My current configuration gives me all that I want.
Bob
Thanks ct, 
I have never used a Class A amp, so I really shouldn't remark on power, but I feel, despite the powered bass, the Quatro's could use a bit more power than 30wpc.
I have to say that the Atma's really provide me with the most clarified sound I have ever heard.- Hence, my rec to use the Mac.
Bob
@nmmusicman 
I have never heard the Alon's, nor heard of them, but if they work for you, then all the best. 
Though, I wonder if 30 wpc is enough for the quatro's? I'd be curious to put the MC-275 with the Quatro's and see how they sound.
Bob
@nmmusicman 
I dropped out of the audiophile world 35 years ago. I only recently returned. So, I guess I missed Alon/Nola. I'd like to hear them someday. The only things Google returned look like they are stand mounted speakers, is this correct?
Bob
@ctsooner 
Are the speakers still in the same room that I saw when I bought the Treo's?
If so, you mentioned that they are now closer to the walls. Correct?
What about the staircase? Do they block that or are they out from the walls enough to not be an issue.
Regarding the Ayre, you said it was configured to allow your not using the Vandy crossovers. How did they do that?
Bob

I can attest to ctsooner's woodworking ability. He knows his stuff.
@ctsooner 
I would definitely wait on cable upgrades and let you cables do their magic. As Tomic posted, sometimes you can get too much of a good thing.
Bob
@mr_m 
Yes, I know, I was just being sarcastic.
But, sometimes, I think we are chasing our tails looking for the 'ultimate' upgrade and forget that we are so far ahead sound-wise, and forget how fortunate we are.
Bob
@schubert 
1.Yes, $1800 is a good price.
2. Great for symphonic music. Though I had the 2w subs.
3. Mine were closer together, but far from the rear walls. The sound was excellent. A lot depends upon your room.
FWIW, if you can get a pair of Treo's, it would make a better move.
Bob
One of the reasons I moved to the Treo's was those honking Sound Anchor stands on the 3a sigs.
@tomic601 
If the speakers are 3a sigs, then they are the current model. I know Mr. V constantly upgrades his speakers, so if they have a higher serial number, they should be as close to SOTA. If they are older models, then the buyer should negotiate a suitable price. Either way, the differences will be subtle.
Bob
Are any other members noticing a long blue script over the OP's tag?
I use Google Chrome, and I noticed this started happening a couple of month's ago to posters ID. I thought it was something Audiogon was doing, but I am not sure.
Bob
@ctsooner 
I don't have to see your gear, I know it is maintained perfectly.
Now, off to your pics!
Bob