I have a a lot of respect for Vandersteen. Driver/frequency integration is fantastic. The bass EQ is an enticing feature, although certainly not full proof in the case of acoustic phase issues. Every audiophile should hear them. Since they are so well marketed, finding a demo is relatively easy.
While some may be sensitive to and able to tease out their step response I am tuned off by the muffled note attacks and to a lesser degrees their limited dynamics. I have auditioned them many times but found something else that has its own pros and cons.