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I love my Vandersteen's but . . . . . . . .

Over the last 35 years I have only owned Four different speaker brands . In the 70”s Radio shack ,In the 80’s ADS L-990's and Vandersteen 2ci , In the 90’s to present , Snell B’s and then back to Vandersteen 2ce sig’s .. You can see my current system here on Audiogon.. Do a search In virtual systems for Stumpies System ..This will give you a lot of info on my system.

Ok ,, Here is my question … I love the sound from my current system but there are times I wish I could get a little more volume out of it . Most of the time when I listen the Meters on the McIntosh amp are bouncing around the 40 watt area with “peaks” around 100 W . But there are times I wish I could turn it up some . If I try to turn the Vandersteen’s up the sound starts to get “compressed” ,, Instruments loose there air around them ,, everything gets thin sounding so I always turn it back down.
Is there a speaker out there that will play “bigger” in my small listening room ?
Speakers I have been considering are B&W N-804’s ,, Von schweikert VR4jr ,,, Green Mountain Audio ,, NHT .
I listen to all kinds of music . Light rock mostly . Eva Cassidy,,James Taylor,,James McMurtury,,Lyle Lovett,,Mark knopfler,,Bob James,,Larry Carlton,,Lee Ritenour ..

What to do ??? Any help would be appreciated ..
stumpie
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drubin
3,269 posts
 
Since everyone has a different opinion here, I'll add mine. I do think you should first try a different amp and see if more power does the trick. But if you decide to move on, I suggest you look at Green Mountain. Coming from Vandersteen as you are, I think it will make for the smoothest transition if you stay with a time- and phase-correct design, of which there are only a few, Green Mountain being one. And their designer, Roy Johnson, likes to play music loud, so I think you may get what you are after even in one of his smaller designs.

Your room appears to be rather small, with the speakers near the side walls. This will be an issue for you with most speakers, some more than others. Just something to be mindful of.
fishboat
245 posts
 
Maybe an off-the-wall suggestion, but if you're looking for a "bigger" sound have you considered the vandy 2wq sub? It can make a world of difference to the overall sound of your system and may free up your mids & highs.
stumpie OP
23 posts
 
Wow , Thanks for the responses so far . Very much appreciated .

Bignerd100 I was wrong about where my normal listening level is . The McIntosh meters are bouncing around the 4 watt area with peaks around 50 watts. I just listened to Amos Lee “Arms of a Women” and the slp meter was bouncing around the 90 db area with peaks of 95 db . I confused the 40W with the 4W . Opps .

Jgiacalo which Mac amp do you have ??

Uppermidfi My room is 10 1/2 X 14 .. Im about 8 feet away from the speakers now .

I just played Jamie Cullum’s “All at sea” .. If I try to turn this song up where it sounds live the sound gets compressed and thin sounding . I’m I asking to much ? ..
mauiaudioman
171 posts
 
Can't say enough about Green Mountain Audio speakers. Do yourself a favor and give them an audition.
evita
112 posts
 
VR4Jr's will do exactly what you're asking.
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