Brand new Vandersteen Model 2's

Hi Jafant (Mr Theil, lol).... Welcome.  I need to get to LI to hear your system and you are always invited to CT to come listen.  I will get Sam Laufer who owns Laufer Teknik's to come over and show off his source gear and DAC.  Pizza is on me! lol.

Guys, Richard is the most conservative designer I've ever met.  He constantly finds better components for crossover, wiring, boards, solder, teflon connection strips and the list goes on.  He implements these changes over the years without coming out with Mk 2,3,4,5 etc... unlike most other speaker designers.  HE's frugal beyond all get out (most of the older timers were, including Jim Thiel, for jafant!).

He only comes out with a different number or 'signature' when there are so many changes that it makes sense.  I know that we all hear differently, and for those of you who have spoken with Richard, you know he's a no BS guy in every way of his life.  For anyone to think this isn't a much much better speaker (for only $100 more), when you haven' heard it, it's not fair to make the statement that things are anticlimactic. 

Go listen before feeling it's anticlimactic.  

Don’t think anyone has said it’s not better, I have no doubt that it is. Richard dosnt make changes lightly and certainly not if it’s not going to be an improvement. Having said that, 17 years is a heck of long time, and personally I’ll pay more to get more, there are no free rides. I’m hoping since the 3a is so similar that we might see something happen there soon also. I already have called my local dealer to let me know when they get a pair of these in so I can hear them. 

Bump, just saying that he has constantly upgraded every part of the 2's since the last model. He's found recent ways to upgrade even more.  Just upgrading basic components on boards can cost hundreds per pair.  Just saying that we shouldn't think that upgrades are always 'seen'.  It's all good as folks will want to go hear the new ones and upgrade if they want to.  Of all folks, Richard isn't looking for free rides,  

I've never spoken with him about the 3's upgrading, but I assume that will happen soon enough.  I also bet that he's upgrade the 3's with at least what he's done with the 2's as that's how he's done it since day one.  Again, I've never discussed this with him.  Just exciting to see the oldest model in production upgraded enough for another mark.  :). 

Vandersteen makes running changes to models without changing the name (other manufacturers also do this, eg, Ayre). The 2Ce Sig II got a new midrange driver circa 2012 that was unannounced and I think RV made one or two other changes before the Sig III. So, the change from "Sig II" to "Sig III" is more than the crossover and removal of tone controls. I also know from experience that upgrading the crossover can make a very substantial difference so I'm not going to poo-poo that change.

Also, I'm confident a 2020 3A Sig is not the same as a 1999 3a Sig.

Pete when this virus is over I will fly in to meet @jafant  he is a cool dude and especially good at hosting the Thiel thread - bunch of guys who love music and time and phase correct.

i owned the 3a signatures for 8 years and make no mistake they are a formidable value. They should be fantastic as they use both the tweeter and midrange from the 5a. The Soundanchors brace is audiophile ugly but works super well. Having also owned the 5A for 5 years, the 3A gives up a bit in clarity and the ability to play lower in any room. A well setup and powered 3a might be the absolute best value in Audio. I ran them w a MC202, man can they rock.
i see this discussion as fruitful for all involved. My 3a signature in yo man service at brothers system in Florida SOTA Sapphire, Ortofon Black, ARCSp-15, big class A Threshold... you know it sings.... 
have fun