Add a Subwoofer to my Vandersteen 1ce s or replace with Revel Concerta2 F36
My personal experience was similar to yours; trying to improve on the sound of Vandersteen 1Cs. I had a Def Tech sub, but it wasn’t doing the trick. I eventually acquired a pair of Vandy 2Wq subs. Better, but I still found the sound wanting. I upgraded from the in-line crossovers to the M5-HP battery biased crossovers and heard more transparency, but still found the system wanting. Too much etch and grain and congestion in the upper-mids and lower trebles. After upgrading my amp, preamp, DAC, cabling and power filtering, and treating the room, I finally concluded I had taken the 1Cs as far as they could go, without satisfactory results. But those 2Wqs I absolutely love, and still have. In fact, when I began the search for new mains, one requirement I had was that they reach 40Hz without any issues so that I could keep the 2Wqs in the system (they are that good, IMHO). In late 2009, I tried a home demo of Ohm Walsh 2000s, and have been thrilled with them ever since. I have heard many, many systems, with and without subs, and I would never go back to a system without subwoofers. Just my 2 cents; YMMV. |
Interesting thread. Fan boy here too. Quatro's shipping in a few days. Very familiar with all the speakers mentioned here. I can tell you that if you like the Vandersteen's mids and highs, that once home and over time, you will be looking for a new set of speakers if you don't stay with the 1's or get a pair of the 2's. The Revel's are fine speakers, but they can be tipped up at times. Personally, (My ears) I find them fatiguing over time. The amp has to change obviously. What is your budget? Can you afford a 1800 integrated amp? Can you afford a new pair of 2c's (he has made so many upgrades with new materials, I think a new pair is going to make him much happier IF he can go that route). Personally, I would get a new pair of 2c's (go see Randy near the Santa Monica Pier. I think it's third street. We are all free agents and just because we love a dealer, doesn't mean you stay there if they aren't selling something you really want. I always go visit dealers around the country and I often purchase new items from them. I use Audio Connections for most things as he usually has what I want. Randy can get you into a pair of new 2's and pair you with an inexpensive integrated that will make you much happier for now and then you can upgrade the amp as you are able to. That said, the new Belles integrated is beautiful with all speakers I've heard them on from ProAcs to VAndersteens. I still love the NAD integrated amps with 2's. If you get the large one, it has plenty of power for the bass and it has control that you need and want. Even though I had the Treo's for a couple of years, I still auditioned everything under the sun before getting the Quatro's. I still go audition everything I can so that I know what's out there and what I like and don't like. If I do find a speaker I like better than the Quatro's for the same price or less, I'll make a switch. So far nothing I've heard comes close. Folks don't truly realize how detailed his speakers are until they DON'T have them in their system. It's the old you don't know what you have until it's gone. That's why I don't think you'll be happy with the Revels. JMHO Pete |
@voodooman13 Upgrading speakers will likely be the most immediate path to getting significantly better sound. The F36 is a nice speaker, but you have other options. You owe it to yourself to visit Destination Hi Fi in Los Angeles and listen to a set of Legacy Audio Expression. The Expression offers a ribbon tweeter and 38Hz bass extension, and weighs in at 70 pounds, while the F36 weighs 50 pounds. The Expression has 8" woofers vs 6.5" woofers on the F36. The Expression will give you the low frequency dynamics you mention, in spades. http://destinationhifi.com/ For a real tweet, while you're there, have them connect the Expression to a Raven Audio Osprey tube integrated amp! BTW, I'm pretty pleased for now with the audio quality I'm getting via my Denon X5200 receiver, paired with a Krell FPB-400cx power amp for the front L/R channels, and my Legacy Audio Signature II speakers, which are from the 1990s. I think you can get some pretty good sound from a package of your current receiver, separate power amp, and a significantly upgraded speaker such as the Expression. You can always add a higher quality pre-amp later. |
Thanks again to all who have replied. Sounds like I will be listening to some Vandy 2's as well. After all it was Brooks Berdan himself who told me about the 2's back when I was just 19 and purchasing my first Rega Plannar 3 with Sumiko Blue Point set up by Brooks. I did like the sound of the Revel F36 with the Rogue Cronus Magnum II, but also heard shrill highs that seemed like eventually could be fatiguing, I also discounted that to possibly "still breaking in." Anyhow, really solid advice guys thank you. |
