Shahinian Obelisk vs VandersteenTreo

Jazz
nothing wrong w you PRE amp
The fact you are commenting about
how anything sounds without doing the proper set up protocols
is very confusing to your audience 
and yorself
and that would in return give you
half assed results you need to read the owners manual and get the spikes , spacers and parts to experience what you paid for
JohnnyR

Johnny R is right....take the time to go thru the setup per the manual and it is downloadable along with Vandertones via the Vandersteen website
must get the Radio Shack analog SPL meter to set the bass EQ
you will be shocked at how bumpy your room - any room is without fixing it...
finally get the eq controls centered as previous owner probably set them to room..

Hey, listen, I AM WORKING ON IT :-)

Appreciate your advice anyway. 

Tom,
They were centered initially when they came in.
There are plenty SPL programs for smartphones. I was planning to use one of them. Now, throw your stones at me ;-)

Jazz
PH for Vandersteen 5595820324
Order a Vandersteen Quatro spike kit from Jacqueline V.
Owners Manual hard copy
it should also come with the Vishay precision screwdriver
4 black front cones 2 for each speaker
2 special back slot spikes
extra outriggers for stability
variety of washers.
if you have wood floors 6 Vandersteen floor protectors
these maintain floor protection and desired low profile.
CD Vandertones has the correct tuning frequencies  
Tomic mentioned a Radio Shack( analog type) meter E bay has for calibration reasons.
 if you can follow the above without any substitutions you will be on the correct path to enjoy music.
Sorry, you are expecting rocks but as you will see when you follow thru
with proper setup tilt-back in-room response adjustments, all of your prior observations will change and improve in a dramatic way.
 Best JohnnyR