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
I would love to have a second Vandy 2Wq sub to go along with my Treo Ct's. But it isn't feasible right now due to financial restrictions and my wife. lol. That combo brings you scary close to the Quattro's. IMHO.
@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
gdnrbob,

"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."
I just said something similar in a post about upgrading my amp and couldn't agree more with your statement. 

Mr M and I are on the same page, lmao.  Bob was teasing, that's for sure.  Bob knows how happy we are, but IF an upgrade is worth it, then we figure out if we can or will afford it.  Personally, I love the sound of the Diamond cable.  I will also use a Diamond ethernet cable when I get my full system and network set up.  It's all worth it, lol.
@mr_m

I almost went with the Treo CT’s with a REL Gibraltar G2 sub but the Quatros with the extremely tunable subwoofers was a better choice as I’ve lived with single subs most of my audio journey and wanted stereo subs. The REL G2 is augmenting a pair of Genesis 500’s to great effect which says a lot about the G2 to be able to blend seamlessly with servo subs :)

Calling all Vandy freaks !

Is 1800 $ a good price for decent pr Vandy Sig 3A"s ?

And are they really good for Symphonic music or not?
Jury seems out on that .
Oh, as I can get them no more that 8 ft apart and 7 ft away in my condo is that a no-go?
1.  Yes, assuming full working condition.
2.  Not sure, not my genre.  But killer on jazz, rock, pop.
3.  7 feet is probably a bit close.  Have you tried doing the maths in the Vandy manual?
@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
1. not sure.  What year are they?  
2. his speakers have always been so neutral and the threes will move more air than the Treo's, just don't expect to get the same tightness etc... Compared to much of the stuff out there now days, I personally feel the soundstage is as good or bigger and that's on the older ones.
3. As far as separation, 8' is fine.  Just go to the site and make sure you set them up properly with the proper tilt back.  They will sound like a point source and are time and phase correct as you know, so they won't smear.  That will give you the layering of any genre you want.  

The newer the better IMHO.  They will make changes and not change the nomenclature of the speaker, so a 20 year old 3 isn't your best buy.  I'd much rather have a newer 2 that has the newer drivers that filtered down from the original Quatro's.  THAT would be a good deal.  If it's not that, personally, I'd try to save for a pair of new 2's, but that's still more.  I'm sure that you will get a good deal within your budget and get a great speaker.  If you know the serial numbers, sometimes they can help you on their site in the ask Richard area.  

Please keep up posted.
@ctsooner  +1  I had the 3A Signatures for many years and found them very good on symphonic music which makes up a decent amount of my listening.  Set-up is crucial.  Once you find the right location in your room with the proper tilt-back you will be good to go.  Good luck!
Post removed 
I had 3a Sig for a decade in a much larger room....you dont say how close to back wall you will be?
Do they come with the IMO essential big sound anchor stands ?
Do you have an amp that can control the formidable low end ?
I would much rather get the best current model II vs unknown used model 3 in a small room
Just my buck fifty....
Tom, as usual we are in total agreement.  No question that the base is essential. I don't know any owners who don't agree with that either.  I heard the newest 2's with that 1900 Belles integrated amp. What a system starter.  Synergy is always important.  
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
Been too busy with other peoples stuff lately.  Been doing a lot of listening just to relax, lol.  I have to get pics up, I know.  It will be one at a time as they are so far apart, lol.  

I have pics and wanted to share as I know some have asked to see.  Where do I share them?  
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
Ok, I think I updated my system and put the right pics in. Please let me know if you guys can see it under my system.  Thanks.

I removed my Basis 1400 TT with Benz Glider, Aesthetix Rhea (recently updated with new power supply and tubes), ultrasonic cleaner (never used), AQ Water balanced 2m cable (maybe 1.5m) and the custom TT isolation platform as I'm going to sell all of them.  If Bob had seen the vinyl gear and can vouch that I take good care of my stuff.  
@gdnrbob This is a glitch within our system. I have asked a Developer to take a look at  it to see if we can correct it. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. I agree it is annoying. 
Hi admin! lol.  Thanks for getting back on that.  It's rare to see that on a large forum like this.  :)
@ctsooner 
I don't have to see your gear, I know it is maintained perfectly.
Now, off to your pics!
Bob
I try Bob, lol.  I need to get over to get everything posted.  Been busy getting my car ad up and going today, lol.  It must be Spring.....cleaning time.
CT
i might have a good home for the Basis, arm, cart....
send me a msg on FB messanger
Darth's Dad...
Regarding John Rutan at Audio Connection, my two cents are these:  he is the most honest, patient, informative and compassionate dealer I have ever experienced in my 45+ years of living this hobby / passion.  

The 3A's were my second pair of Vandersteens, after my 2Cs.  I had them upgraded to the Signature, enjoyed them for another ten years and decided to move up to the Quatros.  I couldn't swing a new pair, so wound up finding a pair (rarely see pre-owned available) on this website.  It turns out they had been purchased at Audio Connection.  

I live on the West Coast, but had met John, via the telephone, when I was interested in a used Audio Research preamp he was selling.  In fact, I even placed a bid on it.  Afterward, I realized it was a line stage only, no phono section.  I panicked and picked up the phone.  He was so gracious and told me, "don't worry, no problem; we want you to get the right thing."

Fast forward a couple years.  When I discovered the Quatros, I had a lengthy conversation with the owner.  One of the last things I asked him was if he still had the boxes.  Turned out he only had part of the containers, but suggested that John may be able to help.  When I called John, (mind you, I wasn't buying them from him) to ask for help with obtaining a full set of boxes, he replied "just tell Brian to bring them to the shop, we'll get them packed up and shipped out to you."  A retailer who is going out of his way to facilitate a transaction that is not even in his business!  For a ridiculously nominal fee, John packed both Quatros in the original containers, strapped them to a pallet (just as Richard does at the factory) and sent them out to me, at the going ground rate.

In the last five years, since their arrival, I have had numerous, lengthy conversations with John regarding set up and tweaking.  I could go on and on .........
@spe .
Great post.
It just goes to show that when you 'do the right thing', the world is a better place.

Bob
How fun and a great resurrection of a thread....
Johnny R is indeed a treasure:-)
Johnny R has called me up on different occasions to tell me about new products he has to make my system better. He knows what I have for equipment. He doesn't pressure me, just explains what he has and how it will help. He is knowledgeable and patient, and knows his stuff of all things Vandersteen. Which I have. I have not bought anything from him yet. But he still continues to help me.
Bob, I LOVE what I have as you know.  Heck, if you show me a very current clean bill of health, you can come up when Sam does to listen, lol. He has my server/DAC right now for upgrades and the new cases are close at hand. :)