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HELP with Vandersteen 2ci speakers

Need help with a set of Vandersteeen 2ci speakers. The issue I have is that to my ears I have to turn the voulme dial on my preamp to at least 9:30 or 10:00 to get any real volume out of them? Im not looking to blast them but I do like a nice amount of volume. I have to turn the volume to at least 7:00 to get anything above a very low whisper. I know they are somewhat hard to drive but im powering them with a set of Electron Kinetics Eagle 400 mono blocks which are putting out 350 watts each? Mono blocks have been serviced and tested and are up to snuff. Any help is greatly apreciated.

Thanks
artez
rrog
1,958 posts
 
Vandersteen 2Ci are not hard to drive. The optimum position on your volume control for best sound is between 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock. Of course the gain from your source and recordings determine your volume setting. 300 watts on that speaker is overkill and the speaker can be easily damaged with too much power due to over heating the crossover. Also, Eagle amps are laid back and so are the Vandersteens. Maybe you are getting too much of a good thing.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
First of all there's something that at least I miss:

1. What kind of preamp?
2. Where's the initial lowest volume setting? 6:00? noon? 3:00?

Otherwise I wouldn't understand how far you're turning your volume knob. If you turn it on maximum or connect your fixed volume source directly to an amp you have you'll probably get EXTREAMLY LOUD even on quiet passages.
If you still get your signal low either preamp or amp is at fault.
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
hows it sounding a 11 oclock to 12?
djohnson54
396 posts
 
Many volume pots sound best in the middle of their range. I wouldn't be too concerned unless you can't get the volume you want out of the combination.
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Perhaps if you thought of the volume control as a brake rather than an accelerator you might be less concerned?
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