Vandie .7 vs Maggie .7


*** I tried to edit the TITLE.,,Sorry   I mean Vandie 1ci    Thanks

Hello to all! I am hoping I will get some opinions on these 2 speakers. I’m 65...a Pro musician with a degree in music. I’ve own of equipment for sure. Nothing in the Mega buck range. I did own a par of Maggie III’s 25 years ago. Vandersteen’s are really a brand I have never owned or stopped at a dealer or known someone who owned them.

I know opinions are GOING to vary. These are kinda 2 different speakers...but a similar approach. Maggie flat panel, and Vandie "no baffe.

I have an NAD 326BEE integrated amp..( very decent)....I’m about to spring for a Schiit Vidar. I have an MF V90,,Schiit Saga... I own Whafdale Diamond 240’s.

I was also set to pop for the Vidar and got into a discussion with someone at Schiit, and he generally said, looking at speakers/ headphones are usually a bigger change. So started my re-evaluation.

These are the 2 I am down too. I have 1400-1500 to spend. True-ness of timbre, soundstage are most important ot me ...because I have listened and played live music since I was 15.

I do very much appreciate your opinions. I want member to BE subjective and give me your take based on personal experience. Thank you very much, Otto

128x128ottoa63
@otto, I am glad you like the Vandy's. They really seem to do things right at a great price point.
For me, I would opt for the 1ci's over a 2ce.  The 1's will be easier to place and set up and also require less power, and if you want later, you can add subs. I owned a pair of 3a sigs, but hated how the Sound Anchors stuck out of the back- Not good in a limited space situation.]
B
Thank you Bob and Helomech! We'll my plot thickens! First... I know nothing  ZERO of the VLR'S.... I'll have to start looking at these. Are they in my budget? 2. I did some reading on reviews on LS50's and some user comments... The reviews were positive... User reviews were mixed... From... No bass... Mostly... I have the HSU SUB and his 500.00 electronic crossover.. So I have been hi-passing for many years... I'm even using it with the big Wharfdale 240's...to my ears... Doing this adds clarity... In short.... When I sold hi end audio.. We were an M&K dealer... And got very into hi passing and see the value and concept. When I was a pro musician... Most of the sound systems were bi and TRIampd with crossover. I still have a very excellent MX125... Which is a dual 12 'push-pull' arrangement.. I have  been thinking lately of trying it.. In place of the HSU... Which is an entry line model I bought 10 years ago... Their technology has improved dramatically since then. The MK is in my Desktop PC system. Back to LS50... I read the efficiency is pretty LOW.. 84 OR 86 dB... I'll check that.  Hummm not happy about that. So... I will start down the VLRpath and see if the dealer has them to listen too.  With the reviews on the 50s...with the STRONG comments here on female vocals which is most if what I listen too.. Along with Saxophone and Trumpet... The LS50 sure sounds like a done deal!! I can almost go ahead and buy them... Sight unseen... There is deal on a pr... I found... is that dumb... Always listen first... Then do I listen to the VLR'S... I guess as I type... I must listen... Audio and opinions... I must listen before I buy. I don't want to lose the deal on the 50s....i guess I can always resell them.... At least we're past the Maggie's so you speak... With the introduction of the KEFs into this.. It has thrown me into another place... I'm laughing.. And soooooo appreciate the direction... It's always a blessing to read forums to help someone else in a similar situation.. Work through the current dilemma.... Lmao. I'll look up VLR'S and look for A KEF  DEALER. KEF is another brand I have zero time with. Working for a BW dealer... I did not have any interest in looking up KEFs.  When you listen to the older 805, 802s  801s who cared! Please let me know if on a WHIM I should take a shot and buy the 50s... There are under 900.00

Thank you Otto 
Just looked up the VLRs... It's a coax speaker just like the Kef.. Interesting.. Also 1395... Same as the 1ci's... This gives me pause... Look at them... The 1ci is bigger... And much different... The small coax is the same money.. Ughhhh  more to obsess... So it's been said here a review from TONE audio felt the VLRs better the 50s in vocals... Well I guess... It's a hard decision... The VLRs new are 600 to 700 more than the used 50s I found... The VLRs may be better.. But are they 600.00 better? 
The VLR's are bookshelf speakers and I doubt will go as low as the 1ci.
Though your sub should help with that.
Though I haven't heard either the VLR or the KEF50, I would lean more toward the VLR or the 1ci. And, knowing how you liked the 1ci's, I think you should trust your ears. The Vandersteen sound is addictive.
And, definitely call Johnny R. for more specific advice.
Bob

the vlr driver is incredibly expensive to build they sound incredible on stands and have real bass output so you can use a sub but still get a great blend.
on a pair of sound anchors or other heavy metal stands they will be awesome. The kef product is quite good also and has a well deserved reputation, listen to both...

one way to think about Vandersteen is the entire line hews to the strict application of about 10 core design principles....so the line sounds very similar. So you get same crossover design philosophy from $1,300 to $62 k, low difraction ditto, easy load, low phase angle ditto, bypass caps, time alignment, patented aerodynamic basketbstructures, pistonic drivers, etc...ditto the list goes on....

but keep listening...