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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
 
Good choice! I've heard the most recent versions of the 2CE Sig II's, and they are definitely the best yet. Adding a Vandy sub (if you're so inclined) makes for a unbeatable combination.
Thanks. I already have two Golden Ear subs that allow high-pass crossover. I'll try running them full-range first. 
gdnrbob
4,447 posts
 
I am running a pair of VLR's with HSU subs at full range.
I have to admit that I have to dial down the crossover point below 80 hz in order to get a good seamless transition.
Though Vandy's may not go to 20 hz, they go pretty far down- and let's face it, there isn't much happening down there anyway (unless you listen to organ music).
Bob
helomech OP
1,694 posts
 
^ I considered the new VLRs with the carbon tweeter, but decided I want to give another shot at living with a 3-way speaker. I typically prefer 2 and 2.5-way speakers, but I suspect the time and phase alignment of the 2CEs will eliminate the lack of coherence I encounter in most 3-ways.
gdnrbob
4,447 posts
 
@helomech,
I think you made a good choice. I was just posting my experience with adding subs to Vandy's at full range.
I wanted to use my 2w subs with the VLR's, but space dictated otherwise.
The Hsu subs are good enough for my office, but I wouldn't trade my 2wq's and Treo's in my LR.
Bob
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
YOu'll probably love them the way most do.  They are such a great value still.

I caution you to NOT solder those cables.  It is not the best connection.  Are you getting them terminated by the dealer or from the company? I don't know if AQ sells them terminated.  Just my opinion. Others may say differently.

Congrats on the purchase. Hope that you have a lot of enjoyment out of them. 
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