Magnepan, Ohm, Spatial or ??

I have never owned a Vandersteen speaker but I am very familiar with them. Way back an old customer/friend of mine opened a small audio outlet and stocked the Vandy range, his biggest sellers. He often called me to deliver and install speakers he sold so I got to hear and compare many. He also stocked Martin Logan, Eggleston Works and Vivid (which are built in South Africa where I was born and lived most of my life) Vivid are great but their entry level is in a higher price bracket than the entry level Vandies.

The Vandersteen model 1 or 2 are outstanding value. They are open and easy, they image well and also able to crank if provided with ample clean power, though will also perform with a push-pull valve amp. Just lovely with a pair of Quicksilver monos.

Some of the speakers that were traded in were 2 or 3 times the price of the Vandies that replaced them.

If I didn't design and build speakers I would definitely consider a pair for myself. So very highly recommended.

At the XFI Premium show in Holland last year I heard Spatial sounding good and also PAP (pureaudioproject)  I spoke to the owner/designer Ze'ev from Israel at length. He produces a 2-way open baffle design with the ability to swap the high frequency module.

I see he now builds a smaller unit compared to the D'apollito style he started with. Of course these, Spatial and PAP, were in different rooms with different electronics so I can't say which I preferred except to say both were very good. PAP will also provide drivers for the DIYers out there.

https://www.pureaudioproject.com/
https://audioxpress.com/article/fresh-from-the-bench-meet-the-pureaudioproject-trio15-heil-amt-speak...