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
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...
Tom...Bob. excellent!! I tefi did think of the first order crossover ..and how I heard more detail from the 1cis. And I'm very drawn to this fact...and yes..the Ten design principals is Very Strong and makes sense. I'm leaning more tonight on VLRs...I'm selling my 240s no offers yet.  I'll be patient...no close KEFdealers near me..online i see...I'll call Kef usa tomorrow and see if there are. I'll call John tomorrow...I'll also call the local dealer and see if they have tge VLRs to listen too. I feel im getting real close...its either VLRs...1cis or ls50s in that order...what was i thinking...i have to listen to whatever im thinking of buying...until tomorrow...thank you Otto