Vandersteen 2CE Signature II: Is it worth the price of $2700? Why are so many for sale?

i have had a conversation w RV about Music Direct..here is my recollection....

i believe they only offer up to 3a-signature, so setup IF  follow the hyper detailed manual is not difficult...and may not require deler physical visit help to get the most out of the speaker....yes this is a trade off maybe....

( although i would add hard won dealer knowlege is hard to beat )

Music Direct is a large operation that can reach many many markets totally unserved by a brick and morter dealer with financial muscle to have a return policy ( on $4.5 K pair speakers ) and stocking a wide variety of colors, finish, etc....

i think it was a prudent, well thought out deliberation on his part, by no means perfect but probably necessary in the evolutionary market for hi-fi.....

just my $$$1.5

I totally agree with Tomic.  There just aren't a ton of audio stores around anymore.  They only sell the less expensive models.  I would still drive 3 hours to a dealer if there was one around (I have one about 2hours away).  I doubt that they have taken much away from a dealer to be honest.

Not knocking RV for his choice to sell on Music Direct. It seems it might be a pain for a dealer to show a pair of 3a Sigs and later have the customer buy online because he can get it a slightly lower price??!! I would add I might never listened to a tube amp if not for the dealer. My Line Magnetic amp and 2CE Sig II are a match for beautiful music and he is the one that mated them for a long listening session. I almost never buy products online, last one was a gamble that did work out. I am a fan of good honest dealers.
I also would not have heard equipment from the likes of Audio Note, Devore, Leben, ARC, Well Tempered, Line Magnetic, Shindo and many other brands.

As far as I know, Music Direct sells at retail unless it’s an open box or demo.  There are a couple of more dealers like MD out there.  Just can’t recall their names at this moment.  No offense at all to your experience in Cleveland, I’m sure it went well for you and that’s all that matters!  However, based on my brief experience with the dealer, it doesn’t take much for him to feel “slighted”.

I totally agree with ctsooner.  Besides, this affords a great opportunity for potential customers to get introduced to Vandersteen’s models from 3A down.

Regards.......

If you can find a retailer selling both Vandersteen and Eminent Technology, compare the 2C's with the ET LFT-8b ($2499/pr retail), as I did. A pair of Watt/Puppies were also included in the comparison. If you have room for a "small" planar (5' tall, 13" wide), the ET is an outrageous bargain. VPI's Harry Weisfeld recently proclaimed it to have the best midrange he has ever heard out of any loudspeaker, regardless of price. I wouldn't go that far (the original Quad is still unmatched!), but it's damn good. Unlike the Quads, the LFT-8b plays pretty loud, and likes tube amps (an 8 ohm load, the magnetic-planar panel itself 11 ohms). Ralph Karsten says he has some Atma-Sphere customers very happy pairing his M-60 amps with the ET's. One of the best kept secrets in Hi-Fi.