From Vandersteen 2CE to Devore Gibbons 8 or Focal


I presently own Vandersteen 2ce speakers and I am less than pleased with the treble response in my room (too bright). I am thinking of buying (used) either a pair of Devore Gibbons 8 or Focal 836V speakers. I will have to travel quite a distance to hear either pair of speakers, so my question is in your opinion, which speaker would be a step up for me? I am looking for a smooth sounding treble which I don't get now. I listen kind of nearfield, about 7' from the speakers. Associated equipment is Classe 15 amp, Modulus 3A tube preamp and Raysonic 168 tube cd player.

Anyonw?

Robert Vartanian
128x128stereo5
Mtrot, if you were to simply google "Devore Gibbon 8", you would have possibly a day's worth of reading, including many reviews. They have been one of the most popular and well-reviewed speakers around for probably five years now.

OP, at 7', you are of course getting almost all direct energy (as opposed to reflections) and so toe-in should indeed make quite a difference.

If you find this new model to be that much different (worse) in that regard, you could ask Vandy to pad down that tweeter a bit (or do it yourself). It may be that your new speakers are indeed a bit hot, or it may be that you just like treble a bit subdued, or it may be that due to xover changes your amp is putting out more power in the treble region due to an impedance hump, or it may be several things.

But, it sounds like you are set on new speakers, which I can relate to. :)
Hey Bob..........Congratulations on your purchase of the Gibbon 8's. My best wishes for many, many happy hours of musical enjoyment. Please post your follow-up thoughts as time goes by. Happy Listening !!
If the Vandys sound bright, which they shouldn't, then any other speaker may also sound bright. It's your room! Acoustics have as much of an affect on the sound as your speakers. Great speakers with bad acoustics=bad sound. Lower quality speakers in a good room will outshine the spendy speakers.
I picked up the pair of DeVore Fidelity Gibbon 8 speakers today from a gentleman on Audiogon. I drove 825 miles round trip in one day and I am too tired to take the speakers out of the boxes. I will set them up tomorrow and post my initial impressions.

Bob
I'm actually trying to secure a listening session @ In Living Stereo in order to hear the Super 8s. If that happens, I'll bring my amp, ARS Sonum Filarmonia, in order to get a true evaluation, if I decide to go this rout!
Stereo5, please post your impressions once you've dialed in the speakers in your room.
Good luck.

David