Calling Vandersteen Treo owners


Simple question.... Are the Treo a big step up over the 2ce sig ii and why. They aren’t an efficient speaker for tubes. RV said I’ll have no issue with my setup. Could always drive the lower end with a different amp. Just curious what others have to say going from 2ce sigs to Treo have to say. I am looking at a set built on 2011 or 2012. Thanks for your input. 
128x128pstores
@pstores   I had a pair of the original 2C's in the 80's then traded up to the Model 3's then 3A's then 3A Signatures.  I then traded up to the Treo CT about 17 months ago.  In a nutshell, the Model 2 and 3's particularly the Signatures are very musical speakers and I enjoyed mine for decades!  Once I did my homework on the Treo CT, I had to have them.  I knew what Richard was able to accomplish with the structure of the 2's and 3's and had no trouble imagining what he could do once he freed himself from the "socks".  That plus the newly realized drivers, crossover and cabinet in a cabinet construction made the Treo's irresistible. 

I'll pick one adjective to differentiate the "sock" speakers from the Treo's.  Refinement!  Rather than music that sounds like a finely reproduced facsimile of the performance, the Treo's take you right there to the venue where the music was created.  It is beguiling!  Once you've heard it in your space there is no going back.  As far as bass is concerned, the Treo's go deep enough but I already had two 2wq subwoofers so I had no need for the considerably more expensive Quatros!  Lucky🍀 me.


I’ve heard the CT’s are nice. These are the non Ct version though. I do appreciate the feedback though. Not to many CT’s on the used market quiet yet. Lol..
There were just 2 pairs of Treo CTs for sale here, one for $5600 and only a year old. I watched them for the whole time listed, drooling. I wanted them so much! I am surprised they lasted so long... great price.
The current 2 is not “ your Dad’s Oldsmobile “, there are zero common components with the original and like most Vandersteen products under almost continual refinement and improvements- I was chatting w Richard the other day and he was excited about a relatively simple change that makes the Treo and up sound better that could be implemented on the 2, so he was working on that..
now, having said that and owning Treo CT in a second system, they are different beasts.
clearly cabinet within cabinet strips away a layer of coloration. The grill design allows closer to wall placement. Port fires down for hyper consistent coupling with room, there is more money to spend on components at this price point. A very very musical and non fatigue speaker - I can and do listen for hours. While we live in a condo, reasonable levels can be attained with 40 wpc NAIM integrated amp, lil Mulekicker of am amp! But I also have 100 wpc RM-9 with KT-88 using 2 ohm taps and light loading sounds off the charts good....
my reference system has the 7 speakers and amps, the Treo share much of same DNA and All the fundamentals of the Vandersteen signature design principles.
reach out if I can help
jim
IF you find yourself in San Diego, stop by for a listen - several Audiogon members have :-)