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Vandersteen 1 repair.

I just lost a woofer in an older but otherwise solid Vandersteen 1 and am at a bit of a loss as to what to do. 

Part of me feels like being daring and looking for a pair of drivers to use that may equal or possibly improve performance. 

In thinking about this possibility I am not sure if it will be easy to source a pair of drivers that will match the needs of the task as well as what Vandersteen put in there in the first place. 

As such I sent a note to them and got a quote back to repair the damaged driver for $180 reusing I assume most of the driver I have. There are a LOT of really good quality drivers out there in a price range that would let me replace both woofers and not be worried how soon the second one may go out after spending that much for a repair of 1 driver. 

I would be interested to hear thoughts of others who have been in a similar situation as well as thought from people who have went outside of stock and modified your own gear. 

Thanks! 
128x128dsycks
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Why not talk to Richard directly and ask if he will sell you a pair of drop in, replacement woofers that you can install yourself? Wouldn't that be the most logical approach?
jperry
2,448 posts
 
While you are at it you should probably replace the tweeters as well. 

Maybe Madison’s has a kit, you can create something new and unique using the enclosures
dsycks's avatar
dsycks OP
17 posts
 
Stevecham. It would seem logical to me that they would keep a few drivers in stock and simply charge core to get rebuildable pieces back. 

Jperry. I may still switch it up a little but I do in fact like the design and ideology behind these speakers. 1st order crossovers and time aligned drivers is just solid design. 
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,388 posts
 
If you don’t use the Vandersteen woofers, you will dramatically alter the sound of your speakers.  You would be opening a huge can of worms.   180 is quite reasonable for a pair of speakers that cost 1200 or more. 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
I own a pair of 1ci, lots of changes over the years but big cast frame is I believe a constant.

look at Vandersteen prices over time and in many cases you will see they are under inflation ( I found this to be the fact for model 1 and 2

a new pair of 1 ci are $1300 and change

the design is hyper unique and yes the filter driver combo are tuned to a reference

a really good two way and I can assure you a model one is such an animal, requires great engineering....without blowing stuff up and providing natural sound in the critical midrange...

i would suggest stock factory replacement, or trade for newer 1ci

my three cents....
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