Spendor S8e or Vandersteen 3A-Sig or ?

I also vote Vandy, but recommend you get rid of the silver I-C and speaker cables.

I would get used S 100s, available for under 3k. New ones, which look to use the same drivers, are approaching 10k. I use them myself.

a coin flip unless you own a cat.

I listened to both and wound up buying the S8es. I'd have to concur with Mlsstl above. The Vandersteens made nice sounds - especially with tubes, but the Spendors were a much tighter more focused sound. They image wonderfully, although they do have a relatively small sweet spot. They also become noticibly more transparent with the grills off. I've had mine for a little over four years now and I'm still very happy with them.

I listened to the S8e's against the Harbeth SHL-5 at a dealer and found the Harbeth a much more enjoyable speaker, and with more bass. Electronics were Quad. In that setting I found the Spendor's boring compared to the Harbeth. After bringing home the Harbeth's, I still own my Tyler Linbrooks, however, and have since sold the others.
I have not heard the Vandersteen, only the Quatro at a dealer. It was nice, but based on what I heard in a short audition it did not move me enough to consider further listening or switching. I would have called it a more refined and scientific sound than the others. Not enough time to really give a good analysis though.