As good as the 3.3's are(although like all other lower sensitivity designs,86db, they are dynamically less nimble than higher efficiency designs by themselves), I think the Stereophile review of these two designs summed it up. The stated that, as good as the 3.3's are, the VT3's are better in every way! Now I don't know to what degree that statment is totally true, but you CAN BELIEVE that you'll have a TREMENDOUS dynamic advantage using the VT3's over the 3.3's both played full range by themsleves!!! The built in powered 500 watt amps and dual 10" drivers make for a fundamentally ACTIVE BIAMPED speaker (at least active in the bass woofers)! The dynamic advantage here is not small! Infact, if anyone thinks that a standard passive medium sensitivity speaker design can compete DYNAMICALLY with a POWERED ACTIVE SPEAKER( on it's own(at least with the bass woofer), they're sadly mistaken!
The only way to get the two speakers into a closer dynamic status, is when you cross the 3.3's over as "small" and let a WELL INTEGRATED AND PROPERLY SET UP/PLACED powered subwoofer(s) handle the lower bass. Otherwise, full range, the powered speaker has the decided advantage in that respect.
Keep in mind however, that if you did buy the 3.3's, and you thought you could set up some powered subs VERY VERY WELL(most can't, so don't fool yourself if you've got little experience here), you could approach the performance of the integrated powered VT3's, in my experiences. Still, having the well integrated woofers in the full range powered speakers is hard to beat, since they're already so well balanced at their crossovers and phase etc.
That said, and given what the reviewers hinted at for the rest of the sonic attributes, I think it's easy to say that the more expensive VT3's are an easier HT choice if you can swing the extra bucks. You could possibly biamp the 3.3's and cross em over with powered subs, and you could get excellent excellent results with big power amps and such.
But when you consider that the VT3's are already READY TO GO, you might consider that.
One other speaker you might consider looking at is the Infinity Prelude MTS powered hi end speaker. They're more attractive to my eye at least, sound very refined, and are a touch more foreward and involving for HT. But, associated equipment might be able to match things between speakers none the less.
Still, I think you'd love the vt3's if you chose that route.
Good luck
The only way to get the two speakers into a closer dynamic status, is when you cross the 3.3's over as "small" and let a WELL INTEGRATED AND PROPERLY SET UP/PLACED powered subwoofer(s) handle the lower bass. Otherwise, full range, the powered speaker has the decided advantage in that respect.
Keep in mind however, that if you did buy the 3.3's, and you thought you could set up some powered subs VERY VERY WELL(most can't, so don't fool yourself if you've got little experience here), you could approach the performance of the integrated powered VT3's, in my experiences. Still, having the well integrated woofers in the full range powered speakers is hard to beat, since they're already so well balanced at their crossovers and phase etc.
That said, and given what the reviewers hinted at for the rest of the sonic attributes, I think it's easy to say that the more expensive VT3's are an easier HT choice if you can swing the extra bucks. You could possibly biamp the 3.3's and cross em over with powered subs, and you could get excellent excellent results with big power amps and such.
But when you consider that the VT3's are already READY TO GO, you might consider that.
One other speaker you might consider looking at is the Infinity Prelude MTS powered hi end speaker. They're more attractive to my eye at least, sound very refined, and are a touch more foreward and involving for HT. But, associated equipment might be able to match things between speakers none the less.
Still, I think you'd love the vt3's if you chose that route.
Good luck