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Vandie .7 vs Maggie .7

*** I tried to edit the TITLE.,,Sorry   I mean Vandie 1ci    Thanks

Hello to all! I am hoping I will get some opinions on these 2 speakers. I’m 65...a Pro musician with a degree in music. I’ve own of equipment for sure. Nothing in the Mega buck range. I did own a par of Maggie III’s 25 years ago. Vandersteen’s are really a brand I have never owned or stopped at a dealer or known someone who owned them.

I know opinions are GOING to vary. These are kinda 2 different speakers...but a similar approach. Maggie flat panel, and Vandie "no baffe.

I have an NAD 326BEE integrated amp..( very decent)....I’m about to spring for a Schiit Vidar. I have an MF V90,,Schiit Saga... I own Whafdale Diamond 240’s.

I was also set to pop for the Vidar and got into a discussion with someone at Schiit, and he generally said, looking at speakers/ headphones are usually a bigger change. So started my re-evaluation.

These are the 2 I am down too. I have 1400-1500 to spend. True-ness of timbre, soundstage are most important ot me ...because I have listened and played live music since I was 15.

I do very much appreciate your opinions. I want member to BE subjective and give me your take based on personal experience. Thank you very much, Otto

ottoa63

Showing 6 responses by audioconnection

audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Otto
call me asap
JohnnyR
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Otto Great move.
 Many Kef 50 owners with the Metal drivers after hearing the Vandy VLRs say I wish I had heard these things first.

(((am going to do a small MOD....take the terminal strip OUT and replace the copper binding posts. I also asked RV if there are any upgrade to these)))

Otto The Terminal strip sounds better than the fire hydrant connections.
 Most folks never did the actual listing test and A/B these things.
 I have and it's not even close terminal strips more cohesive.
 
Take that energy and put it into some used Audioquest Go 4 with DBS
 or find a Pre-owned Belles Aria integrated / Rotel Dac amazing combination.
  Best,
 JohnnyR
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
(((When I had 1Cis, they had a strange distortion characteristic in the upper midrange.)))
Helomecch
You seem to go thru change with many speakers and amps.
reading the Vandy manual and others is important and may prove beneficial.
Most speakers need 200 hrs run in and perhaps your speakers were too far out from the front wall or side walls for decent even power response, not dealing with the first reflection points off the side walls.
Perhaps compounded with a hi feedback Chinese amp in the chain.
squeaky, wispy, multi-strand speaker wires.
The Vandy’s set up right, bases filled, tilted back, achieve superb delivered performance.
Definitely, sound great with Belles Aria, ARC, Quicksilver, Rogue Audio, Audioquest cables, etc
The VLRs bass is less extended yet true to life, the midrange is more sophisticated than most because unlike other smaller speakers they don’t have a built-in bass hump.
This in itself is refreshing and surprising at the same time for the music.
Note VLRs get set right up against the front wall and pointing straight forward.
Best,
JohnnyR
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Otto,
When the time comes for a 2WQ the Cool thing with your NAD is it already has Preamp out and main in
Easy to work with a Vandy 2WQ Sub and maintain phase and time correct and full range operation.
The bass transition w/ VLRs and or any Vandies is unique and well thought out. The design offers its seamless full range response hooking up at speaker level off your speaker jacks.
This Vandy X2 inserts between (Nad jumpers removed) Pre out main in allows for your NAD to be relieved of heavy lifting (lowest bass) and focus better with 80 hz on up this makes the NAD or any amp faster more transparent and clearer.
The 2WQ is famous with Music, it’s 3 8 Inch woofers in a sealed enclosure, non-current limiting self contained amp takes on lowest bass and is flexible with the adjustments needed to bond with your room,
In my opinion, is easily preferable or settling for less transparent sounding IC type designs w steep order x overs found in most other types.
Best JohnnyR
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Otto
 Make sure you Compare Audioquest Optical and other interconnects like AQ Vulcan and AQ Go Four w DBS all the way through for best coherence.
With the Coax drivers try 24 inches first and then pu some books on blocks to and raise to 30 inches to see what you like best the lower 24s may give you best bass closer to wall and floor.
 Best JohnnyR
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Otto,
 Ill take that bet, strongly agree with Tomic on this one.
 Get an 8 Ft DBS AudioQuest Go Four about 5 bills new as well
After 4 days run in it should easily outperform what you have now, the other Shiet as well, and save your postage.
 Best,
 JohnnyR
PS
As Well, Hey that would make a nice name for one of AQs Cables Initials WEL  As Well the last cable you'll ever need.
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