Vandersteen Treo vs 3A Sig as upgrade

If you are into the "hifi" end of things and prefer the excitement of a speaker that flaps your pant legs then you will probably be attracted to studio monitor types or speakers that command your attention by asserting themselves at you.  Vandersteens are speakers that tend to invite you in to listen through them.  The soundstage is at or slightly behind the front baffle of the speakers.  Many more aggressive designs will image in front of the plane of the speakers and present an exciting initial reaction.  They jump out demanding to be noticed.  

In my experience the conversation around such hifi-ish designs centers on discussing the individual drivers' contribution to the sound rather than the beauty of the music being listened to.  There is a population in the audiophile realm who are into the excitement of the sound and hear that assertive approach as realistic, portraying what they perceive as a greater facsimile of a live musical event.  If that's what they perceive as satisfying, then they should pursue such designs and steer clear of Vandersteens.  

As much as I embrace the "Vandersteen sound" I have listened to and appreciated the Proacs, Wilsons, and numerous other designs that make some fine, clean sound.  With Vandersteens and especially through my recently acquired Treo CT, the music is the driving force when I decide to listen.  The speakers disappear as the sound source and the soundspace takes over.  It's an invitation to listen rather than a command to do so.

Sorry for the length of this but I am struggling to find a way to express this without dismissing the more assertive design approach.  I know several listeners for whom the more assertive approach is the more musically satisfying way to go.  If that is what they hear as musical truth then so be it.  I am happy that they are where they want to be.

Last thought...I have not met the listener described above who "hates" Vandersteens.  They will describe  their experience listening through Vandersteens as "enjoyable" but lacking the ultimate excitement they crave.  This fact is why there are so many different brands and types of loudspeakers readily available in audio-land.

Hifiman....that's one of the best ways to answer this question (that's always being asked).  Funny as I was a Proac guy for years and years.  I didn't like Vandy's until the last few years.  I think I just realized what the music was all about and that's it's not the hifi part.  As Vandersteen owners realize, the excitement is there in spades when it's produced that way.  That's the cool thing.  They are as revealing as any other speaker on the market, but when they are, they are coherent and sound the way the cymbal or piano are meant to be.  The mids are lush, when that's what's called for.  I appreciate a pair or Harbeths or Audio Notes (or their relatives) for their musicality.  Wilson's and Magico's are the dynamic duo, but the Vandersteens will give you the best of both worlds like you basically stated.  

This thread is turing into a favorite one for me. Yes, partly because I am a Vandersteen fan boy, but it's really interesting to read what many of you other Vandersteen owners hear through your gear.  

Oh, many of you know Johnny Rutan who owns Audio Connection in Verona, NJ.  He often posts on there and I think he may even be on this thread.  He's found an inexpensive integrated that mates extremely good with all the Vandersteen's all the way up to the Quatro's.  I think it's under 2k or so.  He is pairing it up with the Ayre Codex, decent AQ cables and a Clearaudio TT if you want for an incredible system that has true value.  Hi end isn't always about how much you spend, it's about HOW you spend it.  I wanted to throw that in because so many folks are always getting in touch and asking how they can get into a Treo or more and not kill themselves with associated gear.  We all like to share when we hear of these things.   Johnny has the name if you want to PM him from this board or call him.  (not an ad at all, but I like it when folks hear of something good and share with me). 

Oh, I just noticed when I scrolled up that he's been posting here:  https://forum.audiogon.com/users/audioconnection

I think I did overstate the issue somewhat by describing unimpressed listeners as "haters".  I was clumsily trying to point out that there does seem to be somewhat of a polarizing opinion about the sound of the speakers.  I think your explanation makes sense and probably applies to sound of many components/systems.  The type of sound that grabs your attention at first does not necessarily hold it for the long term.

Hi Guys.  I have been following this thread with great interest.

I am planing to audition the Quatro CT Wood next month.  I have read a few favorable reviews.  Does anyone have any opinions/concerns regarding the Quatro's?


Thanks.

I have had a pair of Treo CT for two months.  I have been listening to Vandersteens for the last 30 years, starting with the original 2C, then model 3 to 3A to Signature.  The Treo CT is the same as the Quatro CT Wood minus the built in subwoofer system.  I went with the Treo CT as I already have two 2wq Vandy subwoofers.  If you haven't made a significant investment in subs. and crave deep, well-controlled, powerful bass then the Quatro would be a great way to go.