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Calling all Vandersteen Fans

A little over a year ago I owned he 1Cis for a short time. While I enjoyed many aspects of the speaker, I found their top-end was a bit ripe and sibilant, with multiple amps. I ended up having to attenuate the treble by 1.5db in order to enjoy them at all.

Lately I've been thinking about how well those speakers produced a realistic decay of instruments, the likes of which I haven't encountered in any other speakers. I'm wanting to give Vandersteens another chance and am considering the 2CE SigIIs, however, it appears they and the 3As have the same tweeter as the 1Cis. That and the measurements in the Stereophile review give me pause. I suppose it could be that I didn't allow the 1Cis enough break-in, or that I was actually hearing upper midrange distortion from their 8" midbass driver

I'm soliciting input from those very familiar with the brand. Would you say the 2 Sig IIs produce a warmer balance than the 1Cis? Do they in-fact share the same exact tweeter? 

Is a 100 watt/ch amp enough to drive 2CEs to satisfying levels in a 26×15' room?








helomech
helomech OP
1,694 posts
 
Bump
beetlemania
834 posts
 
Don't know about the 1Ci but the 2Ce Sig II has the 3A Sig tweeter (also, same as original Quattro). See here: https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=38u42p6hcui5ssvle2oafc8s43&topic=100766.msg10174...

For the money, I haven't heard anything better than the 2Ce Sig II. Latest production using the woven midrange from the 5A.
I drove the 2s to satisfying levels in my 18x19 room (vaulted ceiling) with an Ayre AX-7 (60W/8 ohm) altho the amp would clip if I really pushed it (I don't likes peaks more than 85-90 dB, so not an issue for me).

bstatmeister
537 posts
 
I have a pair of 2C's from 1988 I believe those are of the silk dome variety and are very smooth - never sibilant unless the source is (which they can be). I am not sure of the tweeters in the very latest model 1's 2's and 3's  think the tweeters are all the same except if you bump up the the "CT" or carbon tweeter variety in their upper tier line) In general the 2C will give a meatier sound and provide more SPL, which you would want for your room. In fact, if you can swing it go with the 3A sigs and you get the same midrange driver that is in the Treo and Quatro I believe. Good stuff.
helomech OP
1,694 posts
 
I have a pair of 2C's from 1988 I believe those are of the silk dome variety and are very smooth - never sibilant unless the source is (which they can be). I am not sure of the tweeters in the very latest model 1's 2's and 3's think the tweeters are all the same except if you bump up the the "CT" or carbon tweeter variety in their upper tier line) In general the 2C will give a meatier sound and provide more SPL, which you would want for your room. In fact, if you can swing it go with the 3A sigs and you get the same midrange driver that is in the Treo and Quatro I believe. Good stuff.
Judging by their website specs, the 2CE Sig IIs are now nearly identical to the 3A Sigs except for cabinet size. I may hold out for a used pair of 3ASigs.
drumsgreg's avatar
drumsgreg
154 posts
 
 here is a link that telsl the difference, the D version is the current one. I bought mine in August 2016, teamed up with a Pair of 2WQ Subs with the M5-HP Crossovers, last speaker for me !!https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=38u42p6hcui5ssvle2oafc8s43&topic=100766.msg10174...
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