Thanks for the above input. I currently have 1981 ADS L1230's. I imagine that they will compare more with the Vandy 3A Sigs than the Forte III's. And, if I go with the 3A's am I getting enough of an improvement over the ADS? I should mention that I heard Forte II's and they were kind of sharp or biting. They had not been upgraded and had tubes behind them. Are the III's that much different than upgraded II's? |
Tomic601, "glare and fatigue", ya, I get it. I guess I want that pair of "do everything well" speakers. I like soft, low level music sometimes and then I get in the mood to really crank it up and feel the music. That's where I thought the Forte III's could handle it all. But glare and fatigue worries me. Can you blast the 3a Sigs and still have good definition? |
Yes, yes and yes....I would love to get K-horns and I have the room for it. BUT, it would totally turn the room into audio only (not a bad thing), no big screen, furniture issues, selfish??
Tomcarr, sound advice for sure. I'm going to ask a couple of repair shops if they know of anyone with the Vandy's and less likely, the Forte's that I could audition. |
Ozzy62, good info. Glad u like the Forte III's. I just can't buy without listening to both sets of speakers. Tomic601 has a solution to just buy both, do the A/B, then sell a set. What a long way around though. Sure miss the days of an Audio store everywhere you turned.
The Forte's are new and therefore are the latest technology for that speaker. The Vandy's are 10 or 15 years old and won't have Vandersteen's most recent upgrades. I have read that he tweaks without changing the name of the speaker. Are any of those changes significant, like a woven composte midrange cone? |
Tomic601, I'm in the San Francisco south bay area. That's cool u chatted with the Man this am. Flashlight trick is smart helomech. So the woven mid cone is a big improvement mr_m. I'd hate to leave technology on the table with sight unseen speakers. Almost like u have to buy new if u can't get full disclosure and inspection. I can imagine that if Mr V is doing unpublished "tweaks" over the years, a later 3a sig could sonically be better than the same model a few years earlier. That would suck to discover that after the fact. |
Schubert, I just picked up ur comments coming off the golf course here in northern California. It was a cool 75° today !! Sorry, can't imagine 9° except when I'm skiing.
Well you've been around Klipsch enough. Interesting on the Forte being the exception to brightness. I have to hear them.
I called around the whole bay area today, 65 mile radius, and could not find one dealer carrying the Vandy 2ce Sig II or Sig 3a, and several scoffed when I asked about Klipsch Forte III's. What's the deal? Terrible profit margins with those lines? I have to drive 6 hours or fly to San Diego or LA to audition.
Tomic601 probably has best solution to save time and $$ and just buy both, do an a/B, and then sell a set. |
Tomic601, as I'm reading your scheme of a VandyVan, I immediately conjured up a vision of a class A motorhome with quad slideouts and a full setup for auditions. All sponsored by RVandy of course. But then, but then, I came back to reality....Yes, retirement is better.
San Diego may be in the cards for an audition.
Helomech, I've looked on Amazon but haven't dealt with Music Direct. Heck, return shipping would be less time and travel money.
Gawdbless, never auditioned Focals.
I'm not chasing nirvana, I just want to get it "mostly" right.
Thanks to you all for chatting with me. Really nice to get honest input and suggestions. This may take a while but I'll update when I get things sorted out. |
Hifiman55, thanks for input.
I'm curious, you said you have Sig 3a II's. I haven't seen a II designation in that model. Although there might be one at some point.
This is wierd, but in the past week I have reached out to to a couple of Vandy owners that are selling their speakers and have asked if I can view and have a quick audition. I can't get a reply even after repeated attempts. I dunno, maybe something to hide. I would like to buy used if they're in 8/10 shape.
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Hifiman55, too funny. I hear ya on the "jump in" part. When u said a Sig II 3a I thought I was already behind on new iterations. Speakers are sort of like cell phones, you can keep waiting for the next version forever and get nothing in the meantime !! Buying without hearing em is a big leap for me. There is a guy now that says I may be able to audition. |
Mrdecibel, I understand what you're saying.
I'm not trying to have the forum "tell" me what I like or don't like. It's an individual thing. But, it's all this collective conversation that sheds light on what I may or may not like and how to determine in what direction I want to go. Ultimately it's my listening experience and no one else's that matters. But, your opinions do matter.
I am guilty of "analysis paralysis" at times. But I think that's kind of understandable in this hobby. There are so many subjective and objective variables that have to be considered. In many ways that's the appeal and mystic to it all. In the end, no one is ever wrong if he/she likes what they like. It's great to have a spot like this where ideas and opinions can be shared. |
MrD, I'm with you brother. Didn't mean to infer I'm being told anything. I meant I'm not looking for anyone to make up my mind. That's my job. I'm just soaking up the knowledge, passion, and experience.
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Hifiman55, Mrd.......I identify. |
Tomic601, it's all helpful !!
MrD, this is unreal. You mention the Tekton DI's as a possibility for me. I had never heard of them until I happened upon a thread yesterday after my last post. Now I am really intrigued by them. They sound like a "too good to be true" kinda thing. But a 1000 flys can't be wrong !! Price, sound, technology, looks(I like the looks), and return policy. I didn't want to post my discovery for fear of sounding flaky by doing a 180 on the Vandy's and Klipsch. I'm planning on calling Tekton and hopefully speaking to Eric and asking him some questions. What a leap of faith though; mail order $3000 speakers. Although I read some dealers are being set up. For $300 (return shipping if necessary) a 60 day audition may be worth it. |
MrD, if I get hold of Eric Alexander I will make it brief and to the point. I can't go very deep into a conversation with him anyways because I don't qualify as an audiophile, I'm an audio enthusiast and I know it. I can't believe he answers the phone. Too much.
I have the L1230's and won't sell them. I watched a cool series of YouTube videos today by Paul at PS Audio? He said vintage speakers should probably have a crossover rebuild, caps etc. The tweeters won't go bad, and the surrounds and cones are pristine. But they're 38 years old.
Never thought you were "all that". I always appreciate someone who knows their stuff and doesn't sugar coat the knowledge with bs. The delivery is important and if it's edgy, well, so be it. Not gonna hurt my feelings. And I still might learn something. Thanks for well wishes and ditto. |
Tomic, right on !! I thought your man Bruce at S Unlimited didn't have Klipsch. Great u auditioned them. Appreciate your taking your homework seriously. I'm just not ready to pull the trigger on them for a $300 audition based on my reading from folks like yourself. Came upon some Vandy Treo CT's for sale and by the time I did my homework they were gone. Snooze u lose if the price is right. Reading about Tekton DI and Spatial Triode M3. Trying to figure if they're flavor of the month or real deal. Vandy 3A Sigs appear to be real deal. |
Oblgny, congrats on the Vandy 3A's. Were they on your radar for a while? And had you auditioned before you bought? I have to go back to their website cause I thought 3a Sigs were still being made. Saw a pair for $2600+300 shipping so it seems high? I like the concept of bi-wiring, which they have. Not an option on Tekton DI or spatials I don't think. All your comments are relevant for me about Klipsch. "Bright" is a recurring theme. But....those Forte III's, like Tomic said, sounded good.
Oddiofyl, went for a more up front sound with the Heresy III ? Tired of laid back sound? I get that as your tastes can change. Mine can change day to day, like I said, based on mood. There is no "perfect" speaker, is there? Tekton is sending all other speakers into obsolescence (humor intended 😂).
Another complete system would be ideal to satisfy moods. $$$$
I do have a room issue in that I can't, er., not allowed to, be further out from back wall by more than 12". Rear passives and rear ported and Spatials all want to be out around 2-3 ft or more.
Oblgny, how far out are your 3a's? I cant imagine that depth in soundstage can be appreciated unless speakers are 2,3, or more ft out. True?
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Gdnrbob, nuts is right !!! Those are the ones. Damn be it all. I coulda been a contender....should a pulled the trigger. And they were clean newer ones. There'll be more |
Georgehifi, Classic.....we could do beers together!! |
Tomic, so what is it with Sound Anchors? I have not had the advantages of the dynamics of stands explained to me. "Is it real, or Memorex?" (U old enough for that one?) The anchor must push it out at least 8-12" yes? |
Roxy, was not familiar with the CF-4 Klipsch. Seems there's a 1,2,or 3 edition. So even within a production model there can be variations of sound and preferences. This also appears to be the case with Vandys as upgrades are made but no real differentiation made within a model name. Technology marches on so I get it, but I wish we could better track advances to stay as current as we can with the latest and greatest. |
TDK was my favorite.
I still have my splicing kit with the splice tape and all. Have TEAC reel to reel still, in a box though. |
MrD, crack me up. I would say it's never about me.....my wife would disagree !! All good, banter is good and I'm picking up the morsels and digesting.
Oblgny, thanks for checking on 3a's. Thot they were still making em. That's a good thing. Wonder if and when they would throw the carbon tweeter on it. But then they negate the Treo I guess because the 3a already has the woven mid cone like the Treo.
Side note; as a kid, 8 years old, a bunch of years ago, I first heard LaScallas. The neighbor kids dad told us to stay away from them, righhhhht.....I was enthralled with them and the "big" sound they made. I remember laying in front of them and reaching in behind that cool "V" of wood to try and feel where that sound was coming from. After all, my dad's speakers had a big speaker (woofer) that I could see and touch. So, one day we went into the living room to check those treasure chests out and the kids dad had put pillows into the recesses of the bass chambers. I never knew what that was all about and till now, 50+ years later, have never asked anyone. So what gives? Was he muffling the bass so as not to wake or disturb anyone? Or was it to artificially enhance or subdue an overbearing bass? Maybe his wife was pissed at him for not mowing the lawn and stuck his pillows in there.
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Phil, very interesting. I just saw a LaScalla II review, albeit by someone who sells them, and he commented that the II is much improved over previous. They are beasts and take a room that can accommodate. At least the top tweet and mid are removable from bottom cabinet for better handling.
Phil, how do u assess their soundstage, imaging, depth, etc? |
