5A Vandersteen

Always nice to hear from the manufacturer.
As to the op's near affordable, for whom, most can't put that much down for a home or will buy 3 cars for that amount. 
I think that's one of the problems with audio, it's becoming a hobby of exclusion due to crazy prices.

I think my 5As were ~$19K when I bought them, the most I have ever paid for a piece of stereo equipment, then and now.  

Didn’t they make 5A carbon too would think that is best of 5a and quattro ct..

@johnto 

I think that's one of the problems with audio, it's becoming a hobby of exclusion due to crazy prices.

I have to disagree.  I don't think there's ever been a better time to get high-value & performance at a reasonable price than today. Look at the Bluenode 2i at less than $500 or a PrimaLuna Prologue Premium integrated amp new at $2,300 as some examples.  Just because a high-end/ultra-high performance market exists does not mean hifi is a hobby of exclusion by any means.  That's like saying that because a 2019 Porsche 911S now costs over $115K that buying cars has become something only the ultra-rich can afford. 

and for $3k you can get that carbon tweeter in the VLR-Sig
add a sub later

affordable audio is amazing, lots of great gear out there without spending mega bucks...