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Vandersteen-like "In-between" speakers

I have a pair of Vandersteen 3A signature speakers that came on loan from my brother and I have to give them up in about a month. I am using them with a McCormack DNA-225 and they sound great. I have heard from others that Vandersteen works well with McCormack.

I don't want to spend more money than I have to, but I have about $6K set aside to buy my own speakers. This amount is much more than the 3A signatures. There is no way that I can stretch to buy the Vandersteen 5 or 5A's. A friend of mine has them and they are fantastic.

Can anyone suggest a speaker in my price range, which falls between 3A and 5A, that will give me the same "flavor" as the Vandersteens and will mate well with McCormack? I listen to all kinds of music except very little classical - mostly rock, jazz, bluegrass, vocals.
motdathird
56 responses Add your response
motdathird OP
77 posts
 
In response to Newbee, these are a few things I like about the 3A'a.

They seem to get the soundstage and imaging right like the level of voices and positioning of instruments. But, this might be due more to positioning and placement.(?)

They have very tight but not "bloaty" bass, at least in my room.

The highs are detailed without being hard. This is something that might be a plus when using with any SS amp.

I find they are very detailed and musical at low volume levels. Many times I listen in mid-evening when my kids are doing homework and cannot turn the crank up too much. Some speakers I have heard are weak at low volume.
swklein
136 posts
 
I've just heard that Vandersteen is showing a new speaker model called the Quatro at CES, price point to be around $6500 (between the 3a Sigs and the 5s). There was a small discussion on them on Audio Asylum the other day, and a picture has been posted (you could do a search. They're smaller than 3as, and less boxy: tapered and angular, more like the 5s. Sounds intruiging, but I don't now when they'll become generally available.
newbee
4,767 posts
 
Motdathird, While there are many speakers that can improve over the 3A's - I think it would be helpful if you could specify exactly what about their performance you would like to improve and what you are happy with. You might get much more meaningful responses.
motdathird OP
77 posts
 
Thanks you Marakanetz but I don't think I would want to spend another $3K to get something that might be just "no worse" than the Vandys. I'd expect definite improvement! :-)

I have thought about buying my own 3A sigs. I am not one who is all that thrilled at the idea of using a sub. If I were to go that route I would probably just get a really good pair of monitors with a sub. I have always liked floorstanders but am leaving open my options
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
Why don't you keep the 3A sig and add a pair of 2wq sub to the mix. It will be at least 80% of model 5 for about 2.5K. You still have 3.5k left for other upgrades or buy more music.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
For $6k you can get brand new Totem Wind that will sing and rock with McCormack no worse than 3As for sure.
Totems tend to be much more accurate and have much stronger bass than Vandys.
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