Vandersteen 4

Mofi- there actually was a Model 4 and a 4a, a predecessor to the Model 5. It was kind of like a Model 3 w 2, 12" (powered, I think) sub-woofers built-in. You see them here maybe once every 5 years or so. I've never heard them, but I almost bought a pair on a whim a few years ago. They are BIG and HEAVY, IIRC. Looked like a Model 3 on steroids.

Thanks! I have never heard of the Model 4. Most companies won't use the number 4 as a model number. I have been corrected...

So why is number 4 bad luck but twice 4 or number 8 is considered a good luck number.

Wouldn't it be twice the bad luck? Just sayin'

I used to own the model 4A (see pic on this link):
http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/forbidden/forbidden_8.html

It was the biggest Vandys in the 90s, 5-way, tri-wireable, with an external active crossover.
See more info on it here:

http://trade.audioasylum.com/ca/listing/Speakers-Full-Range/Vandersteen/4a/w-WX-4-SC/25847

Its sound is similar to the old Vandy design - balanced, if a little reticent. I bi-wired them with Transcendent Sound SC-150 on top and a pair of Odyssey Stratos at the bottom.
They sounded neutral for all kinds of music but not as dynamic as the new Vandy models.
I finally sold them because they were too big even for my great room. You will need a big room for them to sound good.

I owned Vandersteen model 4, they were excellent for that time, probably around 1984. They had twin 12" sub woofers per cabinet that faced each other (isobaric push-pull design).

The bass frequencies emanated from slots at the base of the cabinet which was mostly black grill cloth. Mine came with steel spikes that raised the bottom platform the appropriate distance from the floor for maximum coupling.

These required and came with an outboard crossover that divided the subs from upper frequencies. I bought a second factory crossover and ran them as dual mono for more control.

Back then I choose Counterpoint SA4 mono block OTL for the highs and modified (mono) twin Quad current dumping amps for the subs. These speakers would rattle the room, particularly if you ran the gain on the bass a touch high. They were tremendously fun to listen to and I still have fond memories of them.

If they had a flaw it was in the upper midrange and high frequency at somewhat high volume, a bit more distortion than ideal but that was a LONG time ago. The speaker was great for it's time and I would still take it over Vandy 3A due to bass advantage of the 4.

Wonder what it would sound like today with a better phono cartridge and all the improvements in interconnect and speaker wire?