2. speakers
  3. 133246-69625

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
gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
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

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
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...
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Otto
call me asap
JohnnyR
ottoa63's avatar
ottoa63 OP
36 posts
 
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
ottoa63's avatar
ottoa63 OP
36 posts
 
I just read the full TONE review,,,enjoyed it! I see the LS50's need top quality AMPS to sound their best....something I do NOT have. Jeff said the better the AMP,,,,the better the 50's sounded...and visa versa. Meanwhile the VLR is much more forgiving...and not too demanding. There are no used ones around....probably a telling sign....once you own them....no need to trade up. I'll see what I can get a pair for. I think I'm done....VLR it IS!  With the 1ci;s a close 2nd.
More to discover