Vandersteen Model 2D?

speakers a bit closer to price parity

Fair enough. My non-parity example reflects the dearth of both phase coherent designs and designs with pistonic behavior. Both of these groups are very small and the overlap seems to stop at the Vandersteen 7 (maybe 5 Carbon and out-of-production Thiel CS3.7)! But I stand by my point if we compare the Vandy Quatro CT and Vivid B1, which are at the same-ish price point.

the steep slopes make it easier to get pistonic behavior in the passband....

Yes, that’s what I implied earlier ("especially important with XOs using slow roll-off filters "). Even with steep filters you need a well-behaving driver.

I have lived with Thiels or Vandersteens for over 15 years. So, I am very familiar with phase coherent sound. But during that time I’ve listened to many other speakers. My favorites, alphabetically, are Avalon Ascent, TAD Ref 1, Vandersteen 7, and Vivid Giya. Only the 7 is phase coherent, although the Ref 1 has a coincident midrange/tweeter. But one thing these designs have in common is pistonic behavior. IME, that one factor best corresponds to high resolution and transparency.

yes i thought we were essentially on same page and if we use the 5a carbon it flips 2:1 ish the other way, also not fair...

not many choices IF one values both....

i am excited about some emerging technology in both materials and process that might get the rather significant cost savings needed to compete with woven prepregs, etc...

i think if we look at the real costs ( capital opportunity ) machined aluminum is pretty expensive
wish Jim T were here tho.....

i think at these  levels of performance ignoring the cabinet is perilous also...

not to beat a dead horse but it is freaking amazing the value in a pair of 7’s
just try to find a used pair....candy everybody wants to quote a band I enjoy

Hi tomic, when you say this:

VLR with carbon tweeter coming soon !!!

What you reckon the price might be on these? (I realize you wouldn't have anything specific, but I think you might have a good ballpark idea ;) ) You think it might double the price of these $1400 speakers?

And if the VLRs can have it why not the Model 2s? Surely that would justify a model 2D.

I wonder if RV could implement a model 2 CT for under 4K?
I think that would be a big seller, but might be encroaching on the Model 3 a tad..

I wonder if RV could implement a model 2 CT for under 4K?

IIRC, the price increase from Treo to Treo CT was about $1000. The XO probably also would need to be tweaked or further optimized. Is there really a market for a $4K Model 2? Maybe.
It might also be that RV thinks adding the carbon tweeter is reaching a point of diminishing returns for that product. I know, for example, that he thinks the Treo cabinet is a big jump, sonically, from what he can achieve in the 2 or 3. The Sig II is a really good speaker. RV probably figures serious listeners wanting an upgrade will pony up for the Treo CT.
What *I* would like is a Treo CT with a carbon midrange. But that would probably retail for >$15K and that's out of my budget!

My guess is somewhere very close to $2195:

http://www.audioconnect.com/product/vandersteen-vsm-signature-ct/