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For Vandersteen owners & lovers: Which other brands do you like?

If you didn’t own Vandersteens, what would you own instead and why? Or, if you switched to another brand what did you choose?

First, let me say that I am a Vandersteen owner for 20+ years, now on my 2nd pair of the 2CE, the Signature III. I have owned other brands, and heard many others and even liked some. 😀 I don’t change gear frequently once I settle on something. Lazy & frugal = me.

I am on the verge of being on the verge of getting the Vandy Treo CT. I have auditioned them at length. I have also heard the Quatro CT and if budget allowed (including upgrading my front end) I would get them for sure. I’m not a fanboy—there is a reason why Vandersteen has sold something like 100K pairs of the 2CE. They sound very good and all of their models are a real bargain/value in their category, imo.

I have heard and liked, for different reasons, Maggies, Magicos, Harbeths, Focals, Linkwitz-Riley, and other brands. Others that I have not heard intrigue me too. I keep circling back to Vandys—maybe it’s what I have known the longest. I have flirted with the Larsen 8 or 9, which is a totally different design (AbSound has reviewed them well), and also the MBL 120 and 126 (omnidirectionals).

I know I could be happy for life with Vandersteens (Treo, Quatro, or dreaming—the Kento or 7). I am interested in detailed opinions of alternatives in the $10K range though. Thanks!

128x128patrickdowns
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islandmandan
1,260 posts
 

Patrick, may I suggest you go and hear some Tannoys? You may fall in love with them as well (it's been 55 years for me).

Regards,

Dan

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patrickdowns OP
513 posts
 
gdnrbob

You should post this on the Vandersteen forum

I would never do that...that is Richard V’s house. He has been generous with me in offering information (even calling me once) as have others on that site. One member just had me to his home to hear his Vandy 7s (WOW), and thinks I should get Treo CTs, and he isn’t wrong. I am interested in what current or former Vandy owners who love/loved that Vandy sound think of other brands of speakers that also appeal.

The speakers I have not heard that appeal because their design is so different (omni or cross-firing, with a much more "live" presentation) are the Larsens and the MBLs. It is a different experience than front-firing speakers. In the case of the Larsen, they can be placed against the front wall and are much less finicky as far as placement and room interaction goes.

In the end, I will likely get Treos but it never hurts to to a bit of research, right? I remembered you have Treos and you're right... adding a Vandy Sub3 or two at some point gets me close to the Quatro in a phased acquisition.

Cheers

patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns OP
513 posts
 

If you’re reading this, a certain person whose handle begins with T, don’t think I am a heretic or defector or don’t appreciate your advice and generosity. I do! I get analysis paralysis or over-analyze and second/third/fourth guess myself. It’s a drag.

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patrickdowns OP
513 posts
 
tomcarr

Congrats on the B&Ws and getting a good deal! To be fair though, they are in the same (new) price bracket as the Vandy Quatro CTs, and I would buy those in a heartbeat and never look back. They are special. Cheers.

 

soix
9,552 posts
 

Uh, as a big Vandy fan I’d never point you in another direction as I find it highly unlikely you’ll find something that’ll unseat them. That said, if it was me and you have access to any of these other makes I’d highly recommend you listen to Joseph Audio, Usher, Boenicke, ProAc, Audio Physic, Reference 3a, and especially Verity Audio. Not saying any of them are “better” than Vandy, but those are the ones I’ve found that do many of the same things and certainly worth listening to if you can. Just my $0.02 FWIW.  B&W, uh, no. 

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