just got this crazy idea, of getting a used pair,
and then strip off the socks, and cut off the frame, just leave the acoustic box, where the drivers are mounted Might want to rethink that idea if you were to resell them later on down the road . |
I like the look of the Vandersteen ads showing their speakers sans socks. They remind me of old fashioned cameras. Kind of romantically nostalgic.
Never the less, Riley804 offers good advice. |
I'm aware of the retail value will go down the tubes,
but, I'm not very concern about it,
my main speakers are merlins vsm mme, love the details and coherency of the merlins, but to be honest, I'm getting bored with them, dont' want to give them up just yet,
just want to try a warmer sounding speakers,
reason why I'm thinking about sripping the vandy's, is because I'know, if I' get those big speakers home, my wife will desaprove the purchase,
Cheers: |
I would not expect the "naked" Vandies to be finished well inside the sock. You will also alter the intended sound by removing the sock. The speakers were "voiced" with the sock in place.
If you do "strip" them, however, I look forward to reading about your reaction to their sound and appearance. |
I think the look/finish of the "de-socked" 3A may be more of a problem for your wife than the socked version!!! I thought about doing what your thinking of but saw a picture of a pair this had ben done to and they looked worse!!! Maybe OK in my first apartment when I was 20!!!! I kept repeating to my wife how they had a "Post Modern" look but she never bought it!!!! |
Ha, the first Audiogon thread I authored back in 2003 asked the same question about the 2CE sigs. A few years ago someone sold a naked pair of them on ebay with pics. They did look terrible but the person who removed the socks and posts did half-ass job of it. I was outbid and they sold for about half of what a pair in normal condition sold for.
My problem was with the size. All that extra size just to get the sock over them, they are visually overwhelming. Still think about doing it if a really good buy presents itself. |
I like the look of the Vandersteen ads showing their speakers sans socks. They remind me of old fashioned cameras. Kind of romantically nostalgic.
Never the less, Riley804 offers good advice. |
If you ever saw one "naked" in the flesh, it is very unappealing, and nothing to do with nostalgic! butt ugly comes to mind. if you listen with the lights off, fine, otherwise, buy another speaker. |
I think I'm the luckiest man alive. I have the Vandersteen's with black end caps and my wife actually likes the way they look. God love that woman! |
There's an interesting Q&A on this on the Vandersteen website (yes, Richard replies in all caps):
Alan (2/12/11): I have owned four pairs of Vandersteen loudspeakers over the past 21 years. If you could find a way to design your speakers with user removable/replaceable grill cloths, you would stand to be counted amongst the most enviable of men.
Answer: HELLO ALAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I HAVE BEEN PUSHED, BEAT, BRIBED AND ABUSED ABOUT THIS FOR OVER 30 YEARS. I HAVE EVEN ENCOURAGED OTHERS TO TAKE THE CHALLENGE AND FIND SUCH A SOLUTION. EVERY IDEA INCLUDING MY OWN SERIOUSLY AFFECTED THE SOUND OR INCREASED THE PRICE APPROXIMATELY 100 PERCENT. IN THE END THE SOLUTION BECAME THE MODEL 5, QUATRO WOOD AND THE NEWLY ANNOUNCED TREO. THE QUATRO WOOD IS $10,700.00 A PAIR AND THE TREO (3A SIG SOUND BUT LESS BASS) $5990.00 PER PAIR BUT THEY ALL HAVE REMOVABLE GRILLES. SO FOR MANY YEARS WE HAVE THAT OPTION FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO PAY. THE NON REMOVABLE FABRIC WRAP IS WHY WE HAVE A 4 WAY SPEAKER WITH SCANSPEAK DRIVERS FOR $3950.00, NOBODY INCLUDING THE CHINESE CAN TOUCH THAT |
Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I would assume that the dowels and the top plate would be sources of diffraction, something I would assume would be an anathema to a Vandersteen design. |
(yes, Richard replies in all caps): Richard always speaks with the caps lock on. Interesting bird he is. When I talk to him I can't figure out if the world would be more more simple or more complex if we all had his style. Nonetheless he seems to be a good man and that is just fine in my book. By the way naked is always appropriate in my world unless it involves audiophiles. |
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Perhaps Yes yer mistaken
we tried it once placing 2 Broomsticks at the same angle and couldn't detect a difference.
In the big picture you get a full range speaker,
with an innovative Box less enclosure, expensive Die cast Scan Speak drivers 10,8 Mid woofer4 1/2 Open back patented
Mid range and Tweeter with true form following function design.
In my opinion 3A Sigs surpass the performance on any Box speaker Ive heard well past 8k.
If you get em in Black they look smaller.
Many women say they look just fine.
A relaxed, we both deserve it, attitude is the best approach.
A man who gets too excited about these things may provoke the Alpha Fashion mice police controlling and patrolling him into submission.
Best Johnnyr
|
During the two years I owned 3A Sigs I was perpetually tempted to pull off their socks. Though they'd be visually repellent, I have no doubt they'd also sound more open and transparent, even if they were voiced with the socks on. I've never met a speaker that sounded better through a grill no matter how "acoustically transparent" the fabric was supposed to be. The 5As sound better with the fabric lids removed, IMO. |
Anybody that says the Model 5A sounds better without the grille assembly has not done a careful double blind comparison. Come on by and we will do it for you and I'm sure you will find otherwise. The grille structure smooths out the diffractive effects of the woofer enclosure/head transition. We do this all the time with the same result.
Cheer Johnnyr |
Had considered doing something like this with the my 3A Sig's
http://www.avforums.co.za/index.php?topic=3041.0
Scroll about halfway down, I could see mine with the addition of some nice wood work and a little leather. Then add a little circular wood frame around the drivers similar to the Cain & Cain's. Would (wood) be nice.
Bad part is too scared to cut them. Maybe I'll wait till I get my 5A's before doing that. |
Interesting, thanks for the link. |
JohnnyR: Double-blind test? No, never did one. But in my admittedly limited time with 5As, I though the HF more transparent and immediate with the lids off.
"The grille structure smooths out the diffractive effects of the woofer enclosure/head transition. "
This might well be, although you make it sound like band-aid. Don't get me wrong: I think the 5A is a great speaker and it's on my short list.
And now back to the 3A Sig thread, which is already in progress.... |
Johnnyr, where exactly did you place those broom sticks? What about the top plate? |
...just as an aside.... MAYBE only Richard Vandersteen knows Vandersteen speakers better than John Rutan at Audio Connection. He is honest, fair, and someone with whom you can really count on for the truth. I have been a hifi nut for the better part of my life and he is the best source of knowledge and is the go to guy to buy the stuff. I moved to Arizona, and wish he were here for us audiophiles in the Southwest. |
I just read the post from Ig316b with the link to the 1C modification. Wow! I have a pair of 1Cs in the closet. They'd be shaking in their boots if they could read my mind. |
http://hificollector.blogspot.com/2009/12/speakers-vandersteen-3a.html |
i have done this they look sick and sound great |
One fact you can count on is when a DIY guy goes through that much work and it sounds different, it will be a dramatic improvement, just ask him. As a dealer over the years we have seen and heard some of them along with a request for an estimate to put them back the way were. |
As a dealer over the years we have seen and heard some of them along with a request for an estimate to put them back the way were.
Audioconnection My son will be happy to take mine. |
Please feel free to have your son call me when he takes them......
Even if he has a small room I will be glad to help him make it work.
Best Johnnyr |
I have removed the grills on my 3a sigs. I like the look but are single I would bet they have even less waf now but they used to have the taupe sock which was ugly. |
