To those who've tkn Vandersteen 5A upgrade plunge

To Machine and 4yanx:
I understand your perspective so let me try and answer your questions.
1. What does the upgrade cover? Generally it includes getting the speakers packed (if you have the shipping material still...otherwise you need to buy it in advance). Shipping to the factory. Fitment of new precisely matched drivers, XOVRS and amp modules. Hand tuning in the anechoic chamber until they're right. Packing and shipping back to you. Delivery by your dealer for initial setup and burn in. One last trip out by your dealer to do final tuning.
So let's count that up...that's a minimum of 3 trips out by your dealer, the shipping...and the upgrade. Actually, it's not a bad price. Your dealer is working for peanuts on all the trip too. Any extra time spent on this you'll probably get charged for, but that's between you and your dealer. Every delivery is different. (One friend didn't have his packaging and went on a trip...his dealer made 6 appearances!)

2. I'll summarize the rest of your comments about the speaker into...What do I get for this money?
The answer is simple. You get the best speaker I've heard for under $500k. Sure, you can spend more...but you would be doing yourself a disservice. The $9k is still a bargain compared to anything you can get elsewhere for the money. (Yes, I'm biased...I've also heard a lot of systems and speakers though.)

Your money, your decision...but if you're happy with 5s I'd keep them. Listen to a few 5A systems and you may change your mind. At least you have the choice.

Happy Holidays!

mikej.i heard nothing about dealer involvment from vandersteen.mine are used and out of warranty,with no dealer anywhere near what would be considered a reasonable distance.not a good deal,just my opinion,nothing more.

Machine, I guess you've just got to consider leaving well enough alone. The 5s are still awesome speakers! In the end, if you decide to upgrade it's still going to be very, very difficult to find anything better top to bottom. Then the $$ may make more sense. Either way, it's your call.

I believe one benchmark for valuing the upgrade option is the difference in used prices. Right now a 5A vs a 5 in the classifieds in $7400. So if you sold your 5s and then bought used 5As it would cost you net about $7K. Add to that shipping and whatever you would have to pay to get a dealer to help set them up and you are probably not far from the $9K. To me, if you really like the 5 I would go listen to the 5A somehow and if it seemed like a great place for you to be, then throw down for upgrading your speakers. It's only your money.

Don't get me started about the "needing the dealer to come out and set them up" business. If I had known about all that (my fault for not enough research), I would not have bought these 5's.

As an aside, I have all the original packaging and live just a pleasant half day ride from Hanford. When I inquired about packing them up and delivering/picking them up myself, the answer was - no, you must go through your dealer. With all due respect, after speaking with the dealer nearest me, I'm not going that route.