Vandersteen Quatro CT *beginner* questions


I started a search for speakers months ago and then all hell broke loose; the search is on pause until I can start auditioning again. I had initially decided against the Vandys (cost, distance to Audio Connection) but I keep reading wonderful things about them. I have a few VERY basic questions for y'all.

--The reviews make them sound like very balanced speakers, good at everything, but I'm still curious if they're known for shining with certain kinds of music (like Harbeths are for the human voice). Although I like to crank tunes every so often, I'm particularly interested in a speaker for chamber and orchestral music. My standard is not the sax or voice or shredding guitar but the cello. I'm also interested in a speaker that can do its thing at low and moderate volumes. I read somewhere that the Quatros like to go big; can they "go small"? 

--I've read that they're relatively forgiving about placement. I know the bass can be "tuned" but I've also read that they're more agreeable about proximity to walls than many speakers. Is that true? (I've owned Maggies and suffer a bit from speaker-placement PTSD, especially around the distance from the back wall.) 

--I can see they require external crossovers. Are those included in the (gulp) $15+k price? 

Thank you all. Of course I hear great things about John Rutan and I know he's accessible, but I thought I'd run these preliminary questions by this forum. And ... thank you!
northman

Showing 6 responses by northman

I've heard *of* them but never heard them. It looks like there's a dealer in Buffalo, and that's probably too far to shuffle off to. But I have heard great things; I'll keep them in mind!
You guys are great. Thank you! Yes, that "flexibility" and ability to "disappear" are very important to me. I'm not sure why I haven't looked more carefully at the TREO; I'm on that. 


Thank you, everyone. I've never been a "hobbyist" in the sense of going through multiple speakers, buying and selling used equipment, and for that reason I have almost always bought new speakers (or demos, sometimes) with the intention of keeping them for a while. At the very least I'll want to do an audition of any speaker before buying even a used speaker. 

It looks like Audio Connection is open again, and I'll try to find the time to get down there soon to hear the Treos and the Quatros. I've owned Maggies for years so that should make it easier to compare at the store. (I love Maggies but this house just doesn't have a room that can accommodate them.) 



Sure! I don't have much of a sense of when it'll be, things being what they are...
Thanks, all. With only a hint of a wink I told my internet-savvy, teenage son that I've got new friends, men whom I met on an internet forum, and they want to meet me. He rolled his eyes and said, "only on an audiophile forum could that not sound creepy." Seriously, it's terrific to find such passion out here.