Help, My Vandies Sizzle


Hello All, first time posting here, but have enjoyed reading all the posts for several years.
Recently purchased a pair of used Vandersteen 2Cs listed here on A-gon from a great dealer in Hollywood, Florida.
They replaced a pair of Monitor Audio Silver RX8s a few months ago.
 Dedicated listening room with a dedicated 20A circuit, 14x14x8, wood floors over concrete slab, alcoves and bi-fold closet doors allow for some respite from the dreaded "square-room bass boom", heavy area rug covers most of the wood floor, a couple of upholstered cloth recliners, and artificial trees on sidewalls at first reflection points and at front wall between speakers.
Speakers are positioned 7 feet apart, no toe-in, 2 feet from front wall, 3.5 feet from sidewalls, listening chair is 10 feet from speakers. (All measurements measured from tweeters).
Gear is Oppo 103, Krell s300i (integrated). Cables are Anticables.                                                                                   
The problem is a slightly bright sound on most discs, with a definitely hot treble on some, bordering on un-listenable.
Using the mid and treble controls, have tried reducing them by 3 dB. That helped some.
Otherwise, love, love, love these 2Cs.
Not interested in getting back into vinyl.
Will consider any and all suggestions and thank you all in advance for so much good information.

Tom
tomcarr
Vandy 2's ( the originals) were my grail speaker from the '80's. In no way would I describe them as 'bright' or 'hot'. As Maplegrove suggested, I would change your amp. Many of the later Krell's tended to be a bit harsh.
If you are so inclined, get a McCormack amp (they use Vandy's to test their amps). Even my old Adcom 555 performed well with the Vandy 3a sigs. while waiting for McCormack to upgrade my amp.

I had a pair of 2ce speakers about 8 years ago and  for whatever reason, those metal dome tweeters pierced my ears in my living room, especially on rock.  I was using an all tube preamp and an older Classe' amp (Fifteen) which is definitely not bright.  I replaced all my source components, cables and power conditioner and in the end, the speakers still ripped my ears off.  The kicker in all this is the 2ce speakers replaced a pair of 2ci speakers which were in exactly the same spot and never sounded bright.  The dealer even came to my house to make sure they were set up properly.


So, I sold them.  Lesson learned.

I should also add Audioquest Rocket 88's are recommended by Johnny R. of Audioconnection for use on Vandersteen speakers.
Hmmm,
thinking again on this....
Maybe a set of Transparent speaker cables would soothe your treble woes? I could loan you a pair, if you want.
Bob
Hi,

What are the chances you have mids or woofers that aren't working??

Best,

Erik
The first thing you need to do is get your owners manual. If you don't have one, download one from Vandersteen's web site. Use the formula they give you and do it exactly like they tell you. That needs to be done regardless of whatever issue you're having. If the problem persists, go to the contour adjustments on the back of the speaker and set the mids to 0 and back off the highs .5 ato 1db. That should make the speakers listenable until you figure out what's going on.

I would highly recommend that you go to Audio Connections web site. He just got permission to make all issues of The Audio Perfectionist Journal available to anyone who wants them, for free. Its a small publication that most people probably never heard of. Not to long ago, the person who founded the APJ passed away, and this is like a tribute to his work. In the Journal, you will find the most detailed setup and equipment matching info for Vandersteen speakers in existence. It covers everything you need to know. Start issue 1.
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