Hello all who are contributors of this thread... I've studied the speakers, but only in text form, associated with each recommendation. Some of the stand-mounts seem to reach into the lower registers, although the Vandersteen stand mounts would invariably require subwoofer support. The top of the line VLR, with the added cost of one or more subwoofers, would push me quickly into the $4K range. The VLR series peters out around 64hz.
The Dynaudio special 40 looks very attractive, but drops only to 41hz, also requiring a subwoofer. I'm definitely attracted to a full-range sound.
@aexis1 - what is your experience with this speaker and how would you compare it with Vandersteen or Tekton.
@winnardt - love the Maggies notion, but they are coming in, at minimum, around $4k, before any shipping is paid, and then they require A LOT OF JUICE! Currently, I'm running the Nuforce STA200 @ about 80wpc. It's a sweet amp for what it is, but I don't see it pushing big Maggies. I'm not in a position to develop a massive revision of my entire system, certainly not in the short-term. Again, my limit is right around $3000.00 for new speakers.
I will note that I do have a subwoofer, the Martin Logan dynamo 700. I could hazard it as a mate to the Vandy VLR option, but I'm skeptical about the mating and I really do want to land on something of a final solution here. This is why I've pondered the Tekton option, where the double-impact comes in at $3000.00 and is embroidered with two-10" woofers, each speaker. The Electron SE is also on sale, said to drop to 20hz, made of higher grade components. I would love to hear anyone who can speak a comparison between Tekton and Vandersteen. I don't so much need to hear that one is "better" but what characteristics are heightened in the one vs. the other.
@jackd - to follow up, what is your experience with Tekton? You claimed I should stay away - what experiences have you had and with which speakers? Also, I did check out the advert for the 2ce II signature - looks wonderful. The various Vandy comments have definitely ignited some intrigue about what I might be leaving behind there, and I understand the newer iteration is probably quite an improvement over my 1992'ish model. Nevertheless, I don't really need to "stick with what I know" as I often find that unsung avenues are provocative. Which Vandy models have you owned, Jackd?
@gadios - the Sonus Fabers appear to be Italian made, or am I missing something? You seem to point to a discontinued line... the implication that I buy used... apparently this presents me with an impetus to research the line... You mention that these are especially musical speakers... The images of them depict an highly aesthetic offering... What other speakers can you contrast them with?
Finally @luisma31 - I'm working with a Schiit Saga (Tube and SS model), a modi DAC, a Cambridge audio transport and the Nuforce ST200. I had the Vandy 2CI's but found four dead drivers when I opened them up again, after my most recent move. Had them since 1992 and they played well till about 2013. Now, I've got a pair of Klipsch RP280F's and I may have made a mistake with them because I would count them largely responsible for the emergence of tinnitus. I don't play especially loud (at all) but they have a big glare in the upper registers, on some recordings and they almost always cause listening fatigue, even after a few songs. They have some potent qualities - probably to potent - but I think there is a problem with that speaker.
Thanks so much for all the thoughtful feedback and I'm certainly open to hearing more. I think I'm a little caught in the Tekton excitement, but I want to ground that in some honest feedback (from owners), wherein a contrast can be made to other speakers, as a result of direct experience. I like the idea of something fresh (the Tekton's) but then the new 2ce is obviously quite fresh, some twenty-seven years later. I'm not particularly impressed by the lower efficiency of the Vandy - I had run my old one's off a paramount HCA1200ii @205 wpc and they were happy, but with only 80wpc now, I keep feeling the pull of efficiency, as I see in the Tekton...
Thanks again, people.
