Vandersteen are unique with their speedy multiple drivers instead of just one driver.
Most dealers acknowledge their performance talents
Vandy has 2 models: a LFE home theatre "w" version and a 2-channel "Q" version
Here is an article below about why good subwoofers are so difficult to find. The Vandersteen option is a serious top candidate .... Full stop.
http://ultrafi.com/why-everybody-needs-a-good-subwoofer/Postscript:
i auditioned various brand models ( no more cheap chuffy and wooley bass usual HT offerings) in my upgraded 7.1 HT system. I've had Martin Logan and other such chuffy and wooley bass kit in prior systems.
A dealer directed me to go personally audition the VANDY "W" sub.
My experiences... Yup.... It bested all the other contenders and pretenders that I auditioned up to $5k, so I bought it. It also bested my existing CASTLE CLASSIC sub ( a rebranded $2k strata made for Castle by ATC as a made-in-England quality build unit.... Google the ATC gear .... The ATC top home units are north of $9k and their professional application units are stratospheric...) . The CASTLE is now doing yeoman service in my B-system.
Suggestion; First read the article link and then go Audition the VANDERSTEEN in a shootout .... You won't be disappointed and you may well be left as gob -smacked as I was at just how good they are.
FWIW....