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Not Thrilled with Vandersteen 2CE Sigs - where is the first place to work on?

Trying to build up the system this year, bought some Vandy 2CE Sigs.  Have the anchors, following instructions for placement, built bass traps and a couple of acoustic panels in my medium-sized but odd-shaped basement listening area - still not thrilled.  Using laptop with Tidal and Dragonfly Red - and some stuff sounds GREAT (Steely Dan, SRV, Beck, Dire Straits, Wilco) - but disappointed in a lot of other stuff.  Some objective opinions on where my issues might lie?  Expectations too high? Hearing the truth of production variations?  Running an NAD C272 at 150WPC and an original 1979 APT Holman Pre Amp.  Not MAC, Bryston, etc - but was expecting more.  Thoughts? Rebuild/recap the APT?  Amp upgrade?  Where might the low-hanging fruit be?
gjinwi
teo_audio
2,197 posts
 
The Vandi 2 series tend to dance a lot better when you strip their clothes off, IMO. Just IMO, though. You might feel different. 

One can try it out and see what they get, if they feel it is better, or not. As the speaker was designed with that sock in place. A sock I would not design onto any speaker...... but that (original design time) was back then, and this is now...
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Of course speakers sound better when you don't place a barrier in front of the wave launch. This is basic and it is one of the fundamental problems with the Vandersteen line that uses socks. It's also a major problem for the Magnepan line. Paradigm has tried to make sticking a fat perforated plate in front of a driver a positive. Pathetic. 

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,869 posts
 
2’s of that vintage have very precise L pads on the back... but sure you can remove the sock aka grill. The $$$ in the more affordable  Vandy series 1-3 is in a functional non resonant cabinet, awesome components ( including precise matching ) and semi custom drivers with a LOT of trickle down technology. The $ ain’t in veneer. The Treo and up grill is not just a decorative screen but that’s a different thread....
model 1 are a very alluring speaker, work in many smaller rooms w very moderate power , you can see a pair along w many other speakers in my vintage room.
enjoy the music
jim
audioconnection
1,270 posts
 

Teo_audio

If you think a thin layer of double knit polyester fabric one can see through to protect the drivers is a problem then we are in big trouble. Our favorite recordings include protective screens on microphones, pop screens/mic filters for vocals and guitar amps etc. at the source. My experience is that removing the grille assembly does improve the sound of some speakers especially if they are the type where the supporting structure is not integrated with the speaker cabinet but just tacked onto the front. You don’t want to listen to a pair of TREO CT’s with the grille assembly removed.  

JohnnyR 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,869 posts
 
Enjoy the music !!!! Johnny R is awesome 
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