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Optimal Vandersteen 2Wq settings

I have a pair of 2Wq subs I am trying before I buy (chances are more than good that I will).
I have trawled posts here and elsewhere and would appreciate some help.

NB- my evaluation is somewhat flawed as my Cary DAC is in for repairs and I am using a USB DAC similar to an older Audioquest Dragonfly (Prodigy D2A which never made it to market). Less gain, sound a little recessed and flat and harsh on the tops for my liking. The implementation does give it more body than I recall it ever having and I can definitely hear my Eminent Technology LFT8b speakers singing more freely, with more gain.

Still fiddling with dip switches and not sure if 50k or 33k works best (with polarity reversed).
Q is at its lowest, db about the same as my speakers (84).
Not sure what changes to these settings do.
My Hypex Ncore amps have a DM input impedance of 104kohms.
Preamp is a Modwright LS100.

A shortcoming of the LFT8’s is some thinness or lack of body. i would like to know if anyone can advise a setting that may remedy this (without buying speakers or using Jriver's DSP).
128x128adiebear
gdnrbob
4,445 posts
 
So, I guess these are not sequential pairs.
Richard told me to be wary of buying subs from very different vintages as they may have different sound signatures due to his constant refinement.
Do you have the serial numbers?
Why not send an email to Vandersteen and ask his opinion, also ask about the fixed crossover (or ask your dealer)?
As a gardener, South Africa is a treasure trove of plants I mostly cannot grow (but try nonetheless).
adiebear's avatar
adiebear OP
15 posts
 
I read that gdnrbob but I can't hear any subwoofers, just music, which is fine by me. Numbers are 16128 and 16236.
If you've been here you know the diversity of flora. I'm in a sub- tropical part and gardening in summer (now) is mostly cutting back, cutting back- especially after good rains following a severe drought.
gdnrbob
4,445 posts
 
Yes, the 2wq's should be invisible and those serial numbers aren't too far apart.
I haven't been to your part of the world due to political views, but now that that has been rectified, perhaps soon- I'll bring those crossovers, too.
(I have been trying to grow some of your Restio's, which require smoke to germinate. It has been an interesting journey).
Bob
adiebear's avatar
adiebear OP
15 posts
 
Simulating a veld fire sounds way harder than setting up a sub or two :)
gdnrbob
4,445 posts
 
Nah, there is a substance called 'liquid smoke'. The seeds germinated well. The hard part is overwintering in the NE USA.
If your subs are as invisible as mine, I don't doubt your cat will be very comfortable. Those low low frequencies must lull him to sleep. When I first set up my subs, I called Mr. V and said I can't hear anything. He said:
'what do you want? a Boombox?'.
They really are amazing and integrate so well. Be sure to try settings above and below your recommended setting after you listen for a week or two. Then you can decide which filter to order.
Let me know what you need, maybe I can find a pair for you and send it to you. (Thinking about it, the M5-HP has lithium batteries, so shipping wouldn't be by air). The fixed crossovers shouldn't be a problem.

Bob
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