Vandersteen 2CE Signature III — video review on YouTube by Steve Guttenberg (1/15/2023)
Steve gives them an excellent rating. Nice shout-out to John Rutan at AudioConnection. His reviews are quirky, and I know not everyone is a fan of him but since I own these speakers and love them, I love the review! 😎
+1 well integrated subs will afford a step change in sonic performance of many systems, even with purported high performance full range speakers... |
I have always liked the sound of Vandersteen. I had seen many people sell their 2CE speakers only to regret it later and buy another pair. They are well designed and sound great within the parameters of that kind of budget. Richard never intended this model to compete with other well established and more expensive brands and models, including his own. I had listened to about 7-10 speakers around that price and settled on them. I just couldn’t let them go after years of pleasureable listening, so I opted to play with adding stereo subwoofers. What could it hurt? Now these speakers are revitalized! They are not without faults because if you don’t give them enough room or don’t place and tilt them according to the manual and your room, you will not really hear what quality sound they can give. I have had times where the upper highs have been harsh. Mostly it was the room reflections and dampening. If I had to rate these speakers from 1-10, they would get a 9.5. |
2psyop, I can't say that "Richard never intended this model to compete with other well established and more expensive brands". But some of his successful dealers did. Back in the 1980s both Optimal Enchantment in LA and Havens and Hardesty in Orange County frequently demoed the current Model 2 with top of the line Audio Research electronics. Some people questioned if that made sense, until they heard those systems. Of course that was long ago now. But Optimal Enchantment remains open, still selling both brands. |
Thanks for all the insight! I currently have 2 REL 9i subs so either the 2CE III or the Treo CT might sound just right with them. Wonder if I would get my moneys worth getting the Treos since I have the 2 subs to potentially mate with the 2CEs? Also have to find a selling source. I live in Phoenix and nothing near here at all. |
tubular1I just looked and was very surprised that there isn’t a dealer near Phoenix. Maybe Tucson? Vandersteen dealers search https://www.vandersteen.com/dealers/usa Stereo Unlimited |
@tubular1 its worth a drive to San Diego, Stereo Unlimited demo pretty much everything Vandersteen builds. You are also welcome to hear my Treo CT w a Sub 3…. Sounds fantastic w same DNA as top of the line 7’s, which I also enjoy. Best to you on your musical journey ! jim |
@tubular1 I would say no one general principle 😙, but @tomic601 runs some McIntosh and generally is pretty factual. 😁
@pryso I’ve been to both of those places, and was at the ballet studio almost exactly a year ago. |
And save me, on the generally hyperbole end… |
