VANDERSTEENS vs. THIELS

Hi Bennett, I've been following the responses to your query with interest. I didn't need to be convinced that the Vand. 2Ces are great, but Steve440 made a very articulate and convincing statement-- well said.

Thiel speakers are very good. I have never hear Vandersteens, but I did own a pair of Magnepans for many years. After I heard the Thiel 2 2 I gave away my Maggies. The Maggies had a huge (dare I say unnaturally huge) soundstage - Leonard Cohen sounded like a huge mouth on the front wall. Maggies have "no" low bass. You can maybe live with that, but the most problematic aspect is the back-radiation (they are bipolar). This can muddy up the sound if you do not position them carefully - which could mean well into the room - which may not be possible. Martin-Logans are also dipolar. I refer you to Wes Phillips review in Stereophile a couple of months back where he found that a pair of MLs sounded best with a wall of acoustic absorbers behind them. These results may be extendable to Maggies. If I had to buy without auditioning I'd go with the Thiels - the 2.3s look interesting.

While everyone is suggestion an in-home demo or bringing your equipment to a dealer, those have never been viable options as far as anyone I know. Lets face it, most dealers do NOT let you bring your stuff in and DO NOT let you try the stuff at home. They are mostly arrogant jerks and if not, probably they are not selling the type of equipment you are looking for. While some audiophiles get all buddy-buddy with their dealers I just can't suck up to them like that, so what I do is give the equipment a quick listen and bring it home. Return it if you don't like it. That said, I have the Vandersteen 2Ce's and they are excellent, musical, speakers. I don't think you could go wrong. I have not heard the other speakers but heard that they were excellent as well.

Bennett-I don't have much experience with Theil speakers,but currently have a set of Maggie MGlll A's in my main system and Vandersteen 2Ci's in my second system. I think your electronics will be a big factor in your decision. I've used a variety of tubed and solid state electronics with the Vandersteens,and have had fine results with all of them. These speakers ALWAYS manage to honor the music(all types)and might just be the most tonally balanced(top to bottom) of your three choices. I think the styles of music you listen to will also be a critical factor. If you listen to a wide variety of music,again, I can't help but think the Vandersteens would be a great choice. Consider this,too: when you get the itch to upgrade, the Vandersteens can be converted to 2Ce SIGNATURES by replacing the drivers,and I understand you can do this yourself. I love the MG lll's but haven't heard the 1.6's. They are probably more sensitive to the gear in front of them,and optimal placement will be more finicky,if my experience with my own Maggies is any indication. My gut feeling is to go with the Vandersteens-my old 2Ci's never cease to amaze or SATISFY me with all kinds of music. Good luck,good listening! Bob LaBarca

I have listened to Vandersteen 2ce and Theil 2 2. The Vandersteens are definately more laid back sounding, I have always thought that they sound their best with classical as opposed to jazz and rock. The Thiels on the other hand have a lot more get up and go, the music jumps off of them much quicker that the Vandersteens. The Thiels don't have the relaxed sound that the Vandersteens do. I think that it boils down to your personal opinion on listening to music. I you like to kick back and just let the music wash over you with out thinking about it to much then the Vandersteens are probably better. If you like to get analytical and extract every detail that the music has to offer then I think the Thiels are better. Personally I would choose the Thiels, but my friend would go with the Vandersteens.