I just purchased the Vandersteen Quatro CT's (painted) over all the others I auditioned under 30k. I found them to be the most accurate tonally, had the most detail as they dont' smear and are time and phase accurate. They are the most musical since they offer the most detail. The attack and decay are as good as it gets. I think they are the sweet spot in Vandersteen's line. The bass EQ let's you put them into the corner of the room up against the wall so the wife loves them too. With the bass EQ, you can set them up to also max out the soundstage without getting suck out in the middle.
These are just my suggestions. The biggest thing you can do it go audition. All speakers get good reviews, including many best of shows by Vandy's, Magicos, Legacy etc..., but that may not be your best of show. That's a large chuck of change to spend and maybe a trip to a large city to go listen to a large cross section over a weekend. Just a thought.
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It's strange to me as RV is all about making a great sounding product that hits above it's price. He even does that his
Treo CT on up. It's pretty amazing as I audition them all the time and I audition others all the time. I honestly haven't heard anything twice the price that I personally would buy. They are extended and not bright like so many others. I would listen to a bunch of the speakers talked about here and see what you love. They all have a different taste if you would, so it's important to hear them. I have the Quatro and honestly, I may even get a pair of the Sub 9's. I just like the ability to tune the bass to the room. |
I agree that the upgrade to the 2's is a good size one. Personally, the 2's is where Richards starts his magic in design. It's the base of the Vandersteen first order crossover and time and phase correctness. Yes, less smearing makes a huge difference in detail, size of stage and accuracy in general. Not only that, it physically has larger cones and will move much more air than the 1's. IF you can afford that upgrade, you will most probably love it. JMHO. Are you able to audition anywhere? Sounds like you may not be able to.
To me the upper line Vandersteen's best others in their price ranges. That's why I got the Treo and now the Quatro. They subtly give you more detail than most of the other speakers. Richard has learned where to make compromises in his products. The bottom line is that any speaker regardless of cost has to make these decisions. There are many flavors of speakers and it seems that most folks stay fairly true to their 'flavor'. That's why if you like a line, you most probably will stay within that line.
I've noticed that many companies tip up the treble 1-3 db (or more for a few) which gives an impression of larger sound stage and more sparkle to the speaker, but in fact that's not really what's happening. I PERSONALLY can't handle products like that as I get fatigued quickly. Unless we are in the production process we dont' know what is laid down on the tracks, so that makes it subjective.
If you like the Vandersteen sound, then you will love each upgrade in his line. As poster above said YMMV |
helomech212 posts11-06-2017 1:20am^^ Thanks for the input guys. I might have to move my system into a 12×11 bedroom someday, where the 2Cs would be too much. The 1Cs are a bit on the small side for my current man cave, but so are the Spendors. If I didn't keep reading that 2Cs need at least a couple feet from the walls, it'd be an easy choice. Unfortunately, the 2WQ sub won't work with my integrated amp.
Helo, the 2's won't be a problem in that room. It's all about the fact that they now are so detailed and pretty efficient. They are one of the more dynamic speakers at lower volume levels. They will move plenty of air, but that can be controlled as needed. I personally can't listen to a non full range speaker now that I own one. That's my view as you dont' want to lose parts of the music that's recorded. Bass is still the foundation. I personally don't use much absorption with my rooms, but diffraction. I put large silk plants behind the speakers in the corner if I I have room and also in-between them, (one on each side of the TV, so I don't get the sound bouncing off the glass screen. Same thing in the back of the room. I do use quilts on the side walls to absorb the first reflection. YMMV |
Helo, yes ignorance is bliss. But how much fun is that? lol. I hate booming bass and that's why there are many speakers even in the highest of end that I don't like. Rear firing woofers are not a problem with proper set up. You'd have to look at the room and see where you would place them. Even on the diagonal can work great if you are able to do that. Honestly, Johnny Rutan who sells them in NJ is a master at set up and is on this forum. If you have concerns, I can ask him if he can come here and post. Just let me know either way. Yes, the 1's are a great speaker who are worthy of excellent electronics. |
When Jim Thiel passed, the company was never the same. They aren't making the speakers the way he did. It's just the same name basically. I know a dealer who owned them, sold them, loved them etc.... He has now dropped the line. YMMV
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keithr914 posts11-12-2017 1:05amI'd say brands associated with tone include Sonus Faber, Harbeth, Devore Fidelity, Dynaudio, Tannoy, and Zu Audio.
I sold my Proacs after many years to get Vandersteen's. Tonality was the number one reason for that. I'd put them in that group also. I also feel that Tidal has to be in that same group of speakers. |
I have liked some of the Revel's I've heard in the past. I know they just redid the line if I recall. |
I think you either like horns or you don't. I loved them as a kid, but most of them I've heard (and even liked) are a bit colored tonally. I think that's why many of us aren't into them. Fun to listen to? Can be adn if you like them, that's awesome. It's why they make so many different speakers. |
Steve, very interesting. I had this discussion with Richard Vandersteen a few weeks ago. He uses his normal listening room to audition his gear/speakers. He wants a real life room since that's what folks use to listen to their systems. Some rooms sound better than others of course, but I want my system to sound good in my room. I don't care how it sounds in a chamber, lol. Seems to work as he's sold tons of speakers since 78 or so.
I have heard the same thing from a few other designers over the years. The irony is that I've heard many products that were voiced in specially designed chambers, not sound that great in a real room. |
