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Vandersteen 1 repair.

I just lost a woofer in an older but otherwise solid Vandersteen 1 and am at a bit of a loss as to what to do. 

Part of me feels like being daring and looking for a pair of drivers to use that may equal or possibly improve performance. 

In thinking about this possibility I am not sure if it will be easy to source a pair of drivers that will match the needs of the task as well as what Vandersteen put in there in the first place. 

As such I sent a note to them and got a quote back to repair the damaged driver for $180 reusing I assume most of the driver I have. There are a LOT of really good quality drivers out there in a price range that would let me replace both woofers and not be worried how soon the second one may go out after spending that much for a repair of 1 driver. 

I would be interested to hear thoughts of others who have been in a similar situation as well as thought from people who have went outside of stock and modified your own gear. 

Thanks! 
dsycks

Showing 7 responses by dsycks

dsycks's avatar
dsycks OP
17 posts
 
I did in fact anticipate needing to do both drivers and said as much in my email to Vandersteen support. This is the reply I received which surprised me in a few ways... 

"We rebuild the drivers reusing their cores so yes, you can send that unit back to us. We don’t need the other to make sure it matches. A rebuild on the woofer in a Model 1 runs around $180.

Best regards,  Jaclyn" 

dsycks's avatar
dsycks OP
17 posts
 
Yeah. That’s part of why I am posting. ;)

I’m hoping someone has some data laying around and know what parameters the replacements will need to play well in this application.

Knowing the design theory of the speakers and crossovers gives me some good ideas as to what I am looking for but it’s always smart to consult the hive of smart folks before you take the jump.

Sometimes you wander into a really smart person who drops extra good information on you.
dsycks's avatar
dsycks OP
17 posts
 
Stevecham. It would seem logical to me that they would keep a few drivers in stock and simply charge core to get rebuildable pieces back. 

Jperry. I may still switch it up a little but I do in fact like the design and ideology behind these speakers. 1st order crossovers and time aligned drivers is just solid design. 
dsycks's avatar
dsycks OP
17 posts
 
Madisound responded to email and inform me that they think there is a Seas driver that should be pretty much an exact replacement. 

The initial numbers look good as the impedance, efficiency and range look spot on... Should know more soon enough. 
dsycks's avatar
dsycks OP
17 posts
 
$180 seems to be the 1 woofer cost. If that was for both I would likely have them out and in route for repair already. 
dsycks's avatar
dsycks OP
17 posts
 
Trade value on the new version is not the worst idea ever. 

I'll be running a Benchmark DAC1 and upgraded BelCanto Evo 200.2 with them so it may make for a damn nice combination. 
dsycks's avatar
dsycks OP
17 posts
 
Stringreen. I don't question them. Looking at options is simply wise imo. 

Doing so led me to Vandersteen in the first place. 
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