Vandersteen Quatro CT *beginner* questions

The high end dealer in my town that I deal with primarily is a big believer in Vandersteen. I spent an hour or two with my own music on a thumb drive auditioning different speakers and I could just never quite get there with the Quattros. They were in a relatively small room powered by really excellent electronics but to my ears just didn’t sound right. I play almost exclusively classical music. I ended up with Magnepan 20.7s. Prior to the maggies, I’ve owned Thiels (my second favorite after the Magnepans), big Soundlabs, Acoustats, Celestion and others. I have lusted after a pair of Harbeths -- interesting that you mention them -- primarily for a second system. One of the problems with Vandys for me is I’ve watched them climb in price higher and higher and having seen that progression from regular money to significant investment its hard to swallow their current pricing for me. But I have a feeling I’ve never heard the Quattros truly properly setup "right-sized" to a good room. At the end of the day I find the big Maggie 20.7’s the best reproducers of classical I’ve ever heard. I attend symphony concerts regularly year round so I know what music sounds like. You have to go to the 20.7’s to get decent bass however. The 20.7’s are less expensive than a pair of quattros.  The other thing I found about Magnepans with classical music is they they respond extremely well to tubes, specifically ARC.  There is a delicacy and presence that is truly remarkable with the right electronics and Magnepans.

@pwhinson ,
Like the ads say, YMMV.
Though I disagree with your opinion about Vandy's ' climb in price higher and higher', I do agree that Maggie's are pretty sweet sounding speakers.
If I had the space I would own them, too, but my Vandy Treo's work in my small space perfectly.
And, if you are using tube amps, a pair of Sound Lab speakers would be a better choice, in my opinion, as Maggie's present a more difficult load on an amp.
Like I said, YMMV.
And, if it sounds good, it is good.

Bob

Not all but many Vandersteen dealers also carry and love Maggie :-) 

I would pass on the Quattros and buy a nice pair of used Model 5As  I got mine for around $6000.  Happy Listening.

Thank you, everyone. I've never been a "hobbyist" in the sense of going through multiple speakers, buying and selling used equipment, and for that reason I have almost always bought new speakers (or demos, sometimes) with the intention of keeping them for a while. At the very least I'll want to do an audition of any speaker before buying even a used speaker. 

It looks like Audio Connection is open again, and I'll try to find the time to get down there soon to hear the Treos and the Quatros. I've owned Maggies for years so that should make it easier to compare at the store. (I love Maggies but this house just doesn't have a room that can accommodate them.)