Those Vandy 3A Sigs are gonna be hard to beat. Especially if you can get them for $2k. They retail for around $7k.
Suggestions for replacement speakers
I have a set of B&W DCM 604 floorstanding speakers I've had for years and it's time for an upgrade.
My room is rectangular (kitchen, dining area and living room - open floor plan) about 15' by 42'. The speakers will need to be set up in the living room area. The rear of the speakers is a solid wall and they fire towards the couch, about 13' away, which sits against a large picture window. The ceiling is 10' tall. The floor is wood plank.
I can't have the speakers realistically more than 2' from the back wall and I'd prefer speakers that don't require a single seat for optimal soundstage. I generally listen to rock and blues.
I have ample power to drive most anything at 270wpc and due to budget constraints, am looking for nicely cared for used speakers. This is for a 2 channel system.
I'm going to listen to Martin Logan Aeries 1 speakers and well as a pair of Vandersteen 3 Signatures next week. The Walsh Ohm speakers have been suggested to me as well.
My budget is 2k.
What should I be considering?
- ...
- 9 posts total
I have the lower model Vandersteen 2CE Sig II. When set up properly with good electronics, they sound really spectacular for the 2-3$k range. Deep bass, true to tonal signature of instruments and delicate sweet top end. Mid range is right. Shopping for speakers is like shopping for ice cream. There are 100s of flavors and choices- each person will like a different one. It is always wise to sample as many flavors as you can before you decide on one. |
Hello @jeffreypi I have experience owning the Vandy 3s and hearing the Ohm at my friends. The Vandy's are a lovely speaker, but don't really rock out or play loud. They even had warning lights that came on when I did. The Ohm's were music everywhere as opposed to nice soundstage and imaging. I have heard omni radiating speakers many times and my ears never felt good afterwards. If you liked the B / W pair I would look at a used pair of N803's. I still have a pair of these in my vaca home and they sound smooth and great. In my mind, the N line of the 800 series by B/W was the smoothest. |
Your big limitation is only having the speakers 2’ from the back wall. That pretty much eliminates ML as they’re dipoles, and the Vandy’s also need some space to fully open up and exhibit their excellent 3D imaging capabilities. Sure, you can place those speakers ther just like you can drive a Ferrari on a dirt road. You seem to have the room to pull the speakers out further, so I guess it’s an aesthetics thing. Also, having your couch against a glass window is doing you no favors sonically. Pulling the couch off the window a foot or two should yield improvements. Can’t speak to how the Ohms do close to walls, but as they’re omnipolar it’s hard to think it’s optimal. I’d be looking for speakers that are comfortable being placed close to the wall if I was you. Best of luck. |
- 9 posts total