Vandersteen Quatros or B&W 803D's

If they are like the 2ce or 3a, they are not meant to be close to a rear wall, those definitely need space behind them. While you can tune the bass, I think the real issue with how your midrange and imaging will perform.

Pubul57 Said

"If they are like the 2ce or 3a, they are not meant to be close to a rear wall,....."

Pubul57, I hope you don't base your judgement on exp. with 2ce,3a without hearing actually speakers in question?

If it is only a guess, it might be a better idea to let a user, dealer or someone with a real exp. to pass on this question.......don't you think?

Regards

M.Stark

That's true. But the issue is the same with the 5As which I am familiar with, so it is not too far of a stretch to think the Quattros are not a radical departure for Richard - not impossible I grant you. Which is of course why I qualified my statement by saying "if they are like..." That being said, I would always go to a dealer and audition with my own ears before I take any advice given; assuming there is a dealer in my area - of course, that is not true form most gear I'm interested in.

All true, but wouldn't you agree that some distance from rear wall could be beneficial to vest majority of speakers on the market today? There are speakers that are a little more flexible when it comes to "in room placement" then the others......and IMHO I thing Quatros are one of those speakers. A better bass responce and balance will benefit the overall tonality from top to bottom of the fraquency range & reflect on the overall performance of the speakers.

About B&W - there are simply not my cup of tea.
But I can see how one could choose B&W for his/her system.

M.Stark

Ken I cannot comment on the placement of the Quatros.

What I can tell you is I was impressed with the Quatros matched with Ayre CD, Power, and Preamp components that presented a incredible soundstage with depth and imaging.