Vandersteen Model 7: has anyone heard?

I also attended T.H.E. Show in Newport and spent time with the 7s. I got there when Dark Side of the Moon was playing and sat through Stairway to Heaven. I believe that this system's imaging eclipses anything I've heard previously. Simply inconceivably specific. Instrumental timbres were also extraordinary. Halfway through Stairway I thought that this was the best system I had ever heard. But, when Bonzo's toms and bass drum usher in the headbanger mid-section of the tune I neither heard nor felt the impact of the instrument. There was extension and instrumental tone galore but no sock. No kick. No balls! The foundation was simply missing. I have no doubt that I would find this system enthralling with any number of soft rock, combo jazz or vocal recordings. But I would find it unconvincing with Mahler, Mingus (big band), or Motorhead. Still, I was incredibly impressed and think that the 7s are a brilliant achievement.

Siliab,
I think your impression is "room and system dependent"so to speak.
I heard 7s extensively in friend's system on very familiar dynamic classical recordings, and I have to tell you, that bass impact and extension were simply outstanding, better, than in my own system,and one of the best,I heard ever.
He has a very well designed and implemented dedicated listening room (Rives).
Also, as you probably know, the subwoofers in the 7s are adjustable,so I could imagine a less, than ideal setup,that can be improved.
The bottom line is- the bass extension and impact of the 7s are simply outstanding!

Maril555, I guess I am the friend you refer to (I recognized your system from the pictures). Thank you for your remarks.

Siliab, I was not at T.H.E. Show, so I cannot comment on that setup, although they cannot have sounded too bad since John Atkinson picked that room as one of the three best sounding rooms at the show. What I can assure you is that the Seven's all but lack foundation. In fact, once you get used to the truly flat bass response you can obtain from them, it is difficult not to be bothered by the in room bass response of almost any other speaker.

I have about 1,500 hours on mine and drive them with ARC Reference Anniversary and Reference 250's. Each time I think I heard their full potential, I find that something else in my system was actually holding them back. For anybody who is considering purchasing speakers at this price point (or higher), I strongly believe these deserve to be heard properly setup.

I had the same experience as Siliab and Deadlyvg but everything else was beautiful. I heard them at a dealer with the Ref 5 and Audio Research 150 perhaps more power would solve the leaness in the bass.

I've never heard or seen the 7s but this lean bass observation puzzles me. I've had the 5As for about six years now and lean bass has never been an issue. Bass is actually a strong point. Tight, firm, strong and well defined. There is essentially no difference in the bass module used in the 7. It's one of the few things with very little change over the 5A. I suspect the guys here postulating less than optimal setup are on the right track to explain these scattered observations.