2. speakers
  3. 174629-148003

Does the Vandersteen 1C Hold Up to Modern Standards?

There are a pair of Model 1C speakers in my area on the used market. We don't get many of them up here in New England. I am considering going to listen to them and possibly buying them. I'm in a small room (14'x9'x7'). They look to be in excellent condition and they are inexpensive enough that shipping the woofers (if needed) back to Vandersteen for re-foaming is still a good deal. I have a good subwoofer I can use if needed. Since I'll be listening in an unknown room with gear I don't know, I just want to put it out to see if anyone has experience with these. 

 

I currently have Wharfedale Evo 4.2 speakers and find that they sound a little tubby in my space and I just wish the imaging was a little more open. The vertical dispersion of the AMT tweeter is pretty bad, so I have to be sitting for the tonal balance to be correct. I've moved them around quite a bit within the available space. They are on the factory stands and are located 3' from the wall which has a built-in bookcase. 

 

I listen to large ensemble jazz, orchestral music, pop from the '70s/'80s, and a variety of other music. I enjoy scale and dynamics of the large ensemble music I listen to, but I'm not a headbanger by any means. 85 dB peaks do me just fine. Not a fan of speakers that are too forward (B&W/Focal, etc.) 

 

The rest of my system is a MacBook Air, Bluesound Node, Schiit Freya+ Tube Preamp, and a PS Audio Stellar S300 power amp. 

 

Any thoughts before I go over there are appreciated! 

 

Glen 

 

128x128spacecadet65
spacecadet65's avatar
spacecadet65 OP
58 posts
 

Thanks for all of the advice folks. I forgot to mention that I have a Schiit Modius D/A and the system runs fully balanced. I'm not sure that it helps much over the D/A that is in the BlueSound Node. But the suggestion from @audiotroy has not been lost on me. The trouble for most of it is that it is so hard to try things out before buying. 

I get that the tonal balance is opposite from the Evos. I'm hoping they are worth the 1 hour drive to get to them. In my heart, I'm hoping for that "sound coming from nowhere" effect that I haven't heard since my friend's Snell A II's back in the day. 

 

 

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,009 posts
 

Still in production since 1977 and highly evolved is the 1Ci + model. They sound great but the low diffraction time and phase accurate design is optimized for a sweet spot. A new pair is a inflation beating $1,400 with Soundanchor stands… remarkable value IMO. You can replace drivers and fabric socks yourself w video support on Vandy website. Owners forum same place.

Jim

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,009 posts
 

Pair of Model 1 Ci in there somewhere…along w many other speakers, lest i be tagged a fan boy….ha. 

 

spacecadet65's avatar
spacecadet65 OP
58 posts
 

@tomic601 Where are these available for $1400? MSRP is almost $1900...

gdnrbob
4,458 posts
 

@spacecadet65 , Jim(@tomic601) probably didn’t consider recent price increases.

 

I will also say that you could also go with the VLR’s. Nifty little bookshelves that will work best in corners, but can also be stand mounted.

I use them in my office and find them to be a real sleeper in the Vandy lineup.

PM John Rutan (audioconnection). I know he will steer you in the right direction.

Though he is a dealer, he won’t try to sell you something. He offers great advice for free. (And, believe me, I hated dealers until I met Johnny).

Though you probably don’t want to start from scratch, I can say that if you bought a pair of VLR’s or 1’s, added a subwoofer (preferrably a Sub 3), and a Belles Aria Integrated- you’d have the makings of a very impressive system.

My 2 cents...

Bob

More to discover