Add a Subwoofer to my Vandersteen 1ce s or replace with Revel Concerta2 F36


Hey Audiogon community,
    Perhaps you guy can help here. I have a VPI Scout with Sound Smith Zephyr III Cartridge running into a Musical Fidelity v-LPS that runs into a NAD VISO 5 Receiver and back out to a pair of Vandersteen 1ce's. Since I recently bought the Zephyr III, it revealed some inadequacies, and I am in upgrade mode. My audio advisor from Brooks Berdan suggested I start with the speakers. Mind you, I Love my Vandersteens but wish there was deeper bass realism. I have been listening to the Revel concerta2 F36  recently with a Cronus Magnus powering them via some entry level Oracle turntable. I like the F36 a lot, and feel like they would give me more full range dynamics especially on the low end. I am looking at upgrading to the Rogue Cronus Magnus soon as well. And am hoping that upgrading to the F36 is the smarter choice than adding a sub that would seamlessly integrate. Any thought would be appreciated. Thank you.
voodooman13
Thanks again to all who have replied. Sounds like I will be listening to some Vandy 2's as well. After all it was Brooks Berdan himself who told me about the 2's back when I was just 19 and purchasing my first Rega Plannar 3 with Sumiko Blue Point set up by Brooks. I did like the sound of the Revel F36 with the Rogue Cronus Magnum II, but also heard shrill highs that seemed like eventually could be fatiguing, I also discounted that to possibly "still breaking in." Anyhow, really solid advice guys thank you.


voodooman13-

The Vandy and Revel are (2) different speaker designs. Spend time w/ both to determine the model that is right for you.
Agree with jafant.  Listen to the subtle dynamics. Listen to the sibilance (John Mellencamp stuff is good here).  Listen not just to amount of bass, but also the quality of each note.  Which gives you a real sound stage.  Does the sound stage stay big all the time or does it change per recording?  I'd listen to well recorded music to see which one is better and then to other stuff you just love. 

It will be very hard to make a decision without have them in your own house side by side and all but make some notes and listen to the same recordings.  Get to know the cymbals and piano and then male and female voice etc...  Where are you sitting in the hall....I never understood components that put you IN with the band or orchestra, lol.  

Have fun with it all and listen as a system to make sure it's what you can get out of your own.  Also listen with top of the line components to see how much better your speakers can sound as you upgrade in the future.  Keep us posted.  Two speakers you list are a good start for sure.
Well, I hate to be a stick in the mud, but if you are considering the Vandy 2's, I suggest also looking at the Treo's. I bought ctsooner's pair after owning the 3a sigs. It was a good move. I like the more stylish design as well as the improved performance.
Since you feel you need added bass, perhaps the Quatro's would be a good move. You wouldn't need to add the 2w/2wq subs and their footprint is identical to the Treo's. 
Though I know you have a budget, and spending $4-5K might seem ridiculous, just remember that if you are buying a pair of 2sigs and a pair of subs, you really aren't spending that much less and you will be ahead in terms of upgrading.
Bob
I can tell you this from many years of audio. Integrating a good to excellent sub will make a monstrous improvement in your system. Period.  Very few speakers under $5k can come close to a sub like a JL Audio E110.  The musical improvement will floor you.