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Vanderteen 5A's versus Wilson WattPuppy 7's

I can't decide between the WattPP 7's and the Vandersteen 5A's.

Both sounded great albeit with different front end digital (Wadia 861 with Vandy's and Mark Levinson 390S with WP7), preamp (ARC II vs Hovland), amps (Quicksilver V4 vs CJ Premier 140). It is impossible to audition these side by side. Both sounded great with their respective electronics. Both had great sound stage and deep extension. The Vandy's had base that was really visceral (too much at times when the sub comes in). The Wilsons had very tight clean bass and amazing clean high freq. I think the midrange was better with the Vandy's but concerned about the boomy low end. I may just not be used to real visceral lower energy. Any comments? From what I have read, the Wilson's are show offs with a more up front and dynamic presentation and the Vandy's closer to live music.
dkuriloff075f

Showing 1 response by sdcampbell

sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
While you did not specifically ask for comments about the Wilson Watt/Puppy combo, I have felt for years that it is over-rated when compared to less expensive speakers. If cost is a factor in your decision -- even somewhat -- then the Vandy 5A would seem to the best choice, since it sells for about $7k less than the Wilson combo.

Jkphoto is absolutely correct in his comments that the Vandy 5A, with its' 11-band equalizer for the subwoofer section, provides a wide range of adjustment to tailor the response to the listening room.

I have heard both the 5A's and the Wilson Watt/Puppy, and personally preferred the 5A's. I can't imagine being dissatisfied with its performance, and the $7k that you save can be used to upgrade other components in your system.
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