2017 ‘Keeper’ speakers under - $25K

Jim,
Here is the Brutus award winner for Dave Clark of Positive Feedback:  

Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT loudspeakers (Read the review HERE)

Nothing to add that hasn't been said in my review and elsewhere by other reviewers... simply amazingly musically killer. We bought the review sample.

Here is the whole review:  http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/vandersteen-audio-quatro-wood-ct-loudspeakers/

He and his wife bought the review pair.  As for even the Treo's, like I said the bass goes down into the 30's before giving up steam.  It's not a huge woofer and the laws of physics apply, but it gives satisfying bass all the way down.  Never muffled or woolly.  It's just not the Quatro with the built in subs and the 11 band eq.  I personally haven't heard digital EQ done properly.  That's one of the things I didn't love about the Persona 9H.  They were like most Paradigms for ME, in that the highs were accentuated too much, but the bass wasn't fully coherent with that Anthem EQ. Again, that's just me.  I found the Treo's were driven nicely at reasonable volume, in my room with a 60 watt Ayre AX7e I had before upgrading to the AX5/20.  It's a zero feedback design which I prefer in amps and it's got plenty of current to drive speakers, but the Vandersteen's spec out nicely and are actually very easy to drive. I've heard Treo's driven by the 1800 Belles integrated NICELY as well as the mid level NAD integrated.  The Belles crushes the NAD IMHO, but you can easily put together a satisfying system using these amps with them.  

Again, they may or may not be YOUR cup of tea.  I didn't even like them when I first started my search for speakers to replace my 20 year old Proac's a few years ago.

As for horns, they are the most exciting speaker type on the market.  You can run them with flea watt amps and they are a blast. I finally got to hear a set a few months ago. I understand why folks love them, but they just don't do justice with vocals.  Their mids are not as good as a panel or a great dynamic can do. Even folks who sell them and love them will tell you that if they are truthful.  They are an easy sell if someone just wants a fun, dynamic speaker to listen to big music with.  There is a great market for that and it's why they have been selling so well for years and years and years. Heck, my first 'true love' speakers were the Klipshhorns in 69.  I wanted any of them.  I couldn't afford them at the time, but i got my buddy Frank to get a pair of the Heresy's with our Yamaha CR 620 (a top vintage receiver) that my former brother in law still runs daily and loves with newer speakers.  Franks system was fun to listen to rock with, that's for sure.  

Again, JMHO's on all of this.  I have changed how I listen over the years as I learn more.  I just listen differently than in the past. 

if you run across a page with the latest VDS Quattro wood CT specs... let me know if you don’t mind. .

although I’ve not read thru a legit review per se, I've read both of Mr. Clark's ramblings on them and looked at the VDS web site but finding the actual numbers on them including current costs, appears to be a National security issue, or of little or no value to mr. Clark or VDS.

one of my bigger pet peeves is to read thru a review or article on audio equipment, and no one posts the just as important info... like weights, sizes, number of inputs, or outputs, sensitivities, IMP's, damping factors, even cost isn't always squarely confronted on the home website of the manufacturer..

copying and pasting legit info is not hard. Posting no model prices? Why not?

What are you talking about?  If you are trying to discredit the speakers, good luck.  The cost is squarely on the site at 14,900 a pair in many wood veneer choices.  Painted, like mine, are an upcharge.  He hides nothing and never has. That's why he has the best selling speaker in high end audio in his 2's. 

Is a legit review one that you do?  Do you listen to music or read specs?  What is a national security issue to you?  

If you are asking if specs and numbers are important to Mr Vandersteen, the answer is obvious to most how have ever listened to interviews on panels at shows.  Very transparent as you seem to question his transparency.  That's how he invents new models and tweeks the ones he has now.  

I was trying to answer a question that you asked and you came back with a very rude and snarky remark.  I expect that from trolls on the internet Jim and that's how you come off to be honest.  

You seem to be very lazy Jim.  Everything you asked for is on the Vandersteen site, clear as day and if something is missing that you think is important in an audition, then just go to the ask Richard board that is clearly marked on his site and he will PERSONALLY answer your questions.  All questions with total transparency.  

I don't know Clark, but who are you to discredit a reviewer?  Are you above everyone else?  I've gotten two emails from folks who also are reading this thread and they laughed at your troll response.  Maybe you want me to only post a negative review on the speaker?  I can't find one anywhere. I personally don't care about reviews, but you asked and you received.  Next time, but list all the reviewers that you want to read about and then go search, cut and paste for yourself if you don't like what others do.  

I did get a good laugh out of your rudeness though, so I can't wait for the retort, ;).  

If you want to discredit the speakers, please share why and when you last auditioned them and with what gear and please share the specs of the room you heard them in.  Transparency goes both ways I guess, lol... good day sir.

Posting no model prices? Why not?

One reason is that many manufacturers have an export market. The problem with that is many countries have import duty, some of which are excessive. Tack on top of that shipping cost, and in the days of the internet a potential customer might be lost to the national distributor in that country if they see the US retail price.

About the only way around this problem is to not list the retail pricing. So if you are really serious about a certain speaker, just call the manufacturer or your dealer.

Thanks for the explanation.  Vandersteen does list theirs right under the picture of each speaker when you scroll down the page.  Very easy to read and understand, lol.  

Funny you bringing up the foreign markets.  I have spoken to many companies about pricing their units for the Asian market.  All have said they have to inflate their prices at least 50% as the Asian market kind of demands major discounts in order to sell.  All have said this who do business there.  They end up being over priced for the US, but the dealers will will then discount them the same 50% and make people think they are getting the buy of a lifetime.  I hate that type of situation and won't do business with those companies. I understand their dilemma for sure, but I like a company to do a fair mark up and then sell their gear without the huge discounts, which also helps the resale value much of the time.