Vandersteen 2CE Signature II: Is it worth the price of $2700? Why are so many for sale?


I have seen several ads on both AG and Ebay for a "variety" of Vandersteen 2CE's  

Question: Is:the "latest version:"of the model worth its  $2700 price tag  considering the evolution of this design over the last 10 to 12 years

Vandersteen's website shares a few paragraphs about the upgrades made; but, has their really been notable or marked improvements in sound quality and overall performance?.

The amount of 2CE's for sale regardless of what version seems unusual,and even cautionary for buyers looking at a used pair ( taking into consideration age and condition)

Lastly, does this model compete with the performance of other speakers in its price range??

  Thank you, S.J.


 

sunnyjim
Vandersteen Powered Bass with Room EQ Just Got Affordable!
The SUB THREE approaches ... the 2Wq is now Discontinued
The venerable 2Wq, in continuous production since the 1980s and arguably the most popular high-end subwoofer of all time, is finally giving way. The 2Wq is now officially discontinued, and it's time to get ready to meet its amazing new replacement, the SUB THREE.   The SUB THREE will be available to customers in June of 2018 and is available for dealer order NOW. SRP is $2,490 each. There are a LOT of 2W and 2wq owners who are going to want to hear all about this tremendous new upgrade opportunity!The SUB THREE employs Vandersteen's signature powered-bass technique, which places a passive high-pass filter at the input of the main amplifier. This method makes the SUB THREE a great addition to speaker systems of any brand, compact or floor standing, and is crucial to achieving the "unbeatable powered bass" performance fans and reviewers alike have lauded in Vandersteen's powered-bass systems for decades. "High-passing" the main amplifier is the only way to get flat frequency response at the crossover point between the main speakers and the powered subwoofer, and also improves midrange and treble performance dramatically. When the main amplifier is relieved of deep bass duty, intermodulation distortion is reduced and the midrange and treble take flight and float freely in the room. This is the most musically righteous way of integrating a subwoofer into a speaker system, period.The SUB THREE also incorporates one of Vandersteen's most innovative and enduring technologies- 11-band room EQ for perfect bass in virtually any room. This technology originated with Vandersteen's Model 5, and today is employed in the flagship Model Seven Mk II ($62k/pr.) and reference SUB NINE powered subwoofers ($18,900/pr.). Over time this crucial technology has been employed in Vandersteen's Model 5A and Model 5A Carbon ($31,300/pr.), but prior to the SUB THREE the least expensive path to Vandersteen room EQ was the Quatro Wood CT at $14,600/pr. Vandersteen's legendary powered-bass with room EQ is now more accessible than ever!

SUB THREE Specs
325-watt Bridged Power Amp with Regulated Switching Power Supply11-Band Room EQ for Perfect Bass in Virtually Any Room
3 x 8” Cast-Aluminum Basket Cellulose-Fiber Woofer Cones with Ultra Long-Throw Motor Assembly Price: $2490 ea.About Vandersteen AudioVandersteen Audio designs and manufactures time- and phase-correct loudspeakers and superb electronics.  Every Vandersteen loudspeaker is designed to be as true and accurate to the signal received from the amplifier as possible, but with unsurpassed natural musicality and “Dimensional Purity.” All Vandersteen products are proudly designed and manufactured in the USA, in Hanford, CA.  
Contact: Audio Connection 615 Bloomfield AveVerona NJ 07044 973239 1799www.audioconnect.com
JohnnyR

@audioconnection 
Will there be an update to the M5 HP crossovers with the Sub Three?
@audioconnection
Thanks for the update on the new sub! Just so we are clear, the same basic drivers and design are the same as before, but the real difference is with the adjustable EQ, correct?

You mention that the 2wq is now discontinued, does that mean there will be discount on the remaining stock?
or is remaining stock going to be converted to sub 3s?
Just trying to gauge on how hard it will be to get a new 2wq sometime over the next 4-5 months.

Thanks!
@bstat, 
As Johnny pointed out, owners of the 2WQ are probably going to upgrade when the Sub 3 comes out, so, as I said, there will probably be a few 2wq's for sale in the near future. 
I would not expect Vandersteen to discount existing stock. And, if I were him, I would just sell existing stock before offering the Sub 3.
@mvlopez, Good question.
Though I am thinking there should not be a change. The EQ is more of a 'fine tuning' of the signal. And, the 5 and 7 speakers use the same crossover, I believe.
B
((((Just so we are clear, the same basic drivers and design are the same as before, but the real difference is with the adjustable EQ, correct?)))

NO
325-watt Bridged Power Amp with Regulated Switching Power Supply
 Its a big difference over 2WQ

11-Band Room EQ for Perfect Bass in Virtually Any Room
 
3 x 8” Cast-Aluminum Basket Much improved quality
 and stiffer composition /rigidity then 2Wqs,
 
 Cellulose-Fiber Woofer Cones with Ultra Long-Throw Motor Assembly

(((does that mean there will be a discount on the remaining stock?)))
 No
The 2Wq is now Discontinued as in RIP
 The Sub 3 SUB THREE the least expensive path to Vandersteen room EQ was the Quatro Wood CT at $14,600/pr. Vandersteen's legendary powered-bass with room EQ is now more accessible than ever!
  Best,
JohnnyR
AudioConnection