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Speaker Recommendations - from Vandersteen 5As

I have been using Vandersteen Model 5 speakers in my system with excellent results.  I like the open sound, balanced top to bottom sound, sound stage 3D dimension, and having deep bass that is adjustable.  They really have a huge sound that is also very musical.  I used to own Alon V MKII speakers and the Alnico mid-range driver produced a better mid-range sound  compared to the Vandersteens in that one aspect.  That mid-range was just pure magic and the Alons had more impact but were not close to being as balanced of a speaker.  I recently sold my older model 5s because I got a great deal on a much better cosmetic condition Vandersteen model 5As.  To me the 5As just don't sound like my old model 5s.  I have not really had the chance to play around with them that much and my system unfortunately changes in some ways because my Audiomeca CD transport bit the dust.  That was one hell of a great sounding CDT.

I am looking in the $7500 price range and usually purchase used.  I have plenty of dealers in the NYC area that I can visit and people that I know so I will be taking the time to take a look around.  I do like the size of the Vandersteen 5s so that if something I would be considering.  I was thinking of a short list and thought Verity Parsifals, Sonus Faber, Legacy, DeVore, etc.  I tend to focus on piano so I need a speaker that really can produce that sound first before I look elsewhere.  I probably lean towards a musical sound maybe slightly warm, open on top with air.  I can adjust the sound by changing caps and resistors in my components so I guess I just need a balanced sounding speaker with a great mid-range that can also product deep bass.  

Also note that I build my own DAC (separate power supply), preamp (separate power supply) and power amp so I can build anything for any speaker.  Right now my DAC is a DHT design, preamp 6SN7 design and amp is a hybrid 6SN7 design.  My system is dead quiet and the components are reference quality compared to the best that I have compared them to at local dealer showrooms.  I only spin CDs right now through a transport and I am using a Metronome CD1A  transport with a separate power supply.

So knowing that I am in the NYC area, what speakers in the price range should be on my short list to go our and hear?

I probably sound like an A-hole but I would really like some recommendations.  If you are in the local area, I would enjoy the company if you are interested.  I'll buy the pizza and beer!

Thanks and Happy Listening.
bigkidz
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,386 posts
 
If you decide on sending your speakers back....Vanderstein has an account they will let you use for a bit of savings.  The cabinet is very heavy...you can much more easily remove the amps and crossovers..send back the silver boxes in the back....the batteries probably need replacement anyway. When you plug in the speaker you should hear a "whomp" sound from each of the speakers...then put your ear to each of the drivers to make sure they're  working. Are you sure the dip switches are set properly?
bigkidz OP
3,330 posts
 

Thanks please keep your comments coming.

@stringreen thanks for that info.  The 5As are in excellent cosmetic condition not like my 5s which were in pretty bad cosmetic condition.  My audio pal is on his way from Ohio today so we will have a go at this all weekend and see what we can figure out.  I can repair any audio component and I repaired the 5 amps when I purchased them.  The batteries I can do myself but they were replaced not to long ago.  I am hoping to get them running the way they should be as I did really like the 5s.  In fact my 5s sounded better than what I was hearing at dealerships!  I will run through it all again and see what happens.  I also will go out to hear what is out there just to see if I find something that interests me.


 

kren0006
1,859 posts
 
I would recommend listening to Spendor and Dynaudio.

Reason I say that is that within last year I auditioned around 20 speakers from a dozen or so manufacturers in the $3-10k price ballpark and ended up choosing and purchasing Spendor D7. Reason why this might be relevant is that the runner up finishers for me were Vandersteen and Dynaudio. So I liked Vandersteen a lot but liked Spendor more, but of course everyone hears differently and has different subjective tastes. Vandersteen and Spendor demos were in same room with same electronics - I don’t remember exactly but probably either Ayre or Audio Research, maybe both (it was 8ish months ago). Take it FWIW.

New Spendor D7.2 and D9.2 have been announced so current new 7 and 9 models are likely discounted. Good luck
bigkidz OP
3,330 posts
 
@kren0006 what Vandersteens did you compare them to?  I may be able to hear the Spenders this coming weekend along with Legacy.  Thanks for the update info also.  Can you be more specific why you preferred the Spenders vs. Vandy?  I have only heard the older Spender speakers but they always produced a very musical sound.
kren0006
1,859 posts
 
So I believe it was probably Model 7?, which may be an older model I’m not too sure. Whatever it was it’s price was in the 5-7k range like the Spendor D7. Dealer said house sound of Vandy pretty consistent thru their lineup, fwiw, you just get more or less of it as you move up in price or down.

So I liked the Vandy’s either #2 or #3 (with Dynaudio) of the 20+ speakers I listened to - ie, really liked them. I loved the midrange smoothness, nice bass, pleasing treble, and general musicality of the Vandy speakers. Liked the tonality and found it much more similar to Spendor than different.

I loved all of these things about the D7 too, but to me at least the Spendor’s had just a little more enthusiastic presentation with their sound while the Vandy’s seemed a little more laid back for my tastes.

It’s interesting I guess because every D7 review I read the author started out by describing how Spendor speakers historically was a laid back, pipe and slippers sound - apparently that is the sound the brand was known for throughout 90’s and 00’s. But with the new tweeter of the D7’s I found them to be not so laid back in a very pleasing way to me. Just the sweet spot in what I was looking for that way.

Don’t get me wrong. The Spendor’s are not a forward sounding speaker like some might associate with Paradigm, Focal, B&W etc., (at least that’s how i perceived those brands in comparison to Spendor, Dynaudio and Vandy -- I’m sure some would disagree, these are just my opinions).

But for me the Spendor’s, while still sounding lush and musical, just had a little more energy for me than the Vandy’s did, and I liked that.

I liked the looks of Spendor much more also but that was a very minor factor for me -- 98% sound, 2% looks.

Again, just my impressions and everyone is looking for what they are looking for. Would never imply others are wrong if they disagree. Spendor D7 just worked for me and I kept coming back to it again and again thorughout the demos across several dealers and several months.
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