Vandersteen 2CE Signature Speakers


Hello.  I recently auditioned a used pair of Vandersteen 2CE Signature speakers. I found them to be amazing for jazz (lots of detail, great imaging) - really everything I read about on how these speakers sound.  However, upon listening to classical (full orchestral recordings of Mahler symphonies and Strauss tone poems), I found them to be boxy, dull and closed (quite the opposite from the jazz recordings).

Is this normal?  Why would this happen?  What can be done to fix this? I would like to buy them. 

Thanks
128x128cspiegs
I have owned the Treo's and now own the Quatro's. I'm VERY familiar with all of his speakers though and have ton's of time with all of them.  

I have spent extensive time with the 2's since they were released in 78 I think it was (Bruce's at Stereo Unlimited in SD).  When run with the proper electronics and set up properly, I've never heard them to be boxy. Honestly, the design of the 2's was so they wouldn't be boxy.  He has the smallest baffles on the mid and tweeter for that very reason.  Also, for the price, they are considered highly dynamic as long as the recording is dynamic.  Not saying you didn't hear what you said you did, but if a speaker is designed properly, it will play anything the same.  

Too many perpetuate the myth that a certain speaker is good for one or two genres only.  Just ask any top designer and he or she would tell you the same I promise.
(((This speaker plays it all as all great designs must. There are other issues, time for an expert to chime in, Johnny R maybe?)))

My take would be this..........

 (((I found them to be boxy, dull and closed (quite the opposite from the jazz recordings).))))

Having heard both electronics in our sound rooms

I probably would agree with the OP with what he heard with those electronics.
 Compared with ARC,VS 110 Manley Neo Classic 250 has a darker feel their output transformer taps offered only a fixed tap with no adjustments.
 at its best with a lower impedance speaker.
 Feedback City think it wanted to be controlling a speaker that needs way more control.
 Sonic Frontiers preamp we found it was decent for its time yet somewhat
 electronic or mechanical presentation at the time associated with dated amps also using Hi Feedback.
 I'll bet 5 bucks if he takes his Yamaha back there with some AQ wires
 he finds a new companion instantly.
 Best JohnnyR
 
Hi Johnny, do the Audio Quest cables really make a big difference? I am using Blue Jeans  Bi-wire Canare 4S11 Cable and sees to be doing a great job, but if I switched to AQ cables you think I would be pleasantly surprised? if so, what is the best bang for the buck on the AQ cable?
(for reference I am running the 2c's)
Thanks!
I'm not Johnny.  I owned the best MIT speaker cable and interconnects made with their 350 cable (interconnects) and their 770 speaker cable.  I got the AQ adn never looked back.  I have had so many name and off name cables in teh system and none have been as neutral as the AQ stuff.  If you are going to use a cable/wire to 'tune' your system, I personally feel that you have the wrong gear.   Using Nordost to lift the highs of a dull amp, still starts with a DULL AMP, lol.  This is just system matching, but for my money nothing touches the AQ cables for sheer neutrality.  JMHO
John is the most knowledgeable I've ever met it this genre....Maybe Richard Vandersteen is his equal...not sure.