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Vandersteen Treo vs 3A Sig as upgrade

I had my local dealer hook up a pair of Treos to demo them and left with a very mixed impression. I like the overall sound. They have a smoother, more refined and sophisticated midrange that the 3A Sigs can't match. I want that. But the bass was less defined and the top end was bright. The sibilance was very exaggerated - this was with CD. Is this the character of the Treo? Thanks!
wlutke
wlutke OP
727 posts
 
"Simply put it just doesn't move the air in the mid bass that gives rock the slam and boogie that Wlutke likes even though the Treo is quite capable of going quite low in frequency. He is willing to give up some of that resolution for the impact and slam the 3A Sigs give him."
That's exactly it.  Thank you mr_m.  I will upgrade when I can afford to have it all.  Those Quatros are singing a sirens song.

wlutke OP
727 posts
 
A final follow up.  I've replaced the 3A's with a year old pair of perfect and beautiful rosewood lacquered Acoustic Zen Crescendo MKII's for half price (!).  Not a fair comparison but they destroy the 3A's and steamroller the Treos.  They've got that warm musical sound similar to Vandersteen so it was an easy transition.   
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
I am sincerely happy, wlutke, that you found what you were looking for! Congrats!!!!
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Congrats Wulke, but we all hear differently.  I auditioned the Zen's and found they lacked coherency for ME.  I also know of a few guys who didn't like the Zen's nearly as much as the Steen's.  The fact that you love them is awesome.  Neither of us is right or wrong and that's the beauty of audio. We all get what we love. I trust my ears and you trust your's.  That makes it all good.  

To make statements like 'steamroll' and 'destroy' just makes no sense to me when comparing speakers.  I guess these words also mean different things to each of us.  Enjoy your Zen's as I love my Quatro's and Bob loves my former Treo's.  I think he chose the Treo's over the Zen's too, but I can't remember fully. I know it was someone I was talking to when selling the Treo's to upgrade to Quatro's.  Oh well....it's all good in audio
wlutke OP
727 posts
 
ctsooner - 

The Treo and 3A Sig do not compare on any level with the Crescendo 2, price or performance wise.  "Destroy" and "steamroller" were not meant in a harsh way given the cost difference and "In another league", as over used as it is, I feel has lost its impact and only hints at the difference.  Funny you find the Zens are not coherent.  Reviews rave about exceptional coherency and, in fact, music just flows in the room without aberration.  Different room, different gear, different ears.  I could have settled for Quatros but I found it difficult to get past having to plug my speakers into the wall, add a high pass filter with an option of one (1) brand wire pigtail and equalization that requires the speaker never be moved again without Vandertoning.  That's just me, not a put down on the Quatros.  I'm sure they're amazing for the money.  BTW congratulations on your purchase!  
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