Wilson Sabrina (not X), Sonus Faber Nova 2, or Vandersteen Treo CT

@sbank 

Very nice synopsis.

Charles 

I concur with @sbank, 

I think he hit the nail on the head. Vandersteen has always been a company to offer the most performance at a great price point. Though I will say the cabinetry of the Treo, Quatro, Kento and up are second to none.

I will also concur with the opinion that Vandersteen speakers allow you to relax and enjoy the music.

Though the Sabrina might have lower bass, the Treo's are no slouch. Given the dimensions, it would be hard to make a speaker that size go down below 40hz. Which is why Vandersteen offers subwoofers.

Though not as inexpensive as others, using the high pass filters allows you to run the speakers will a less powerful amp as the power demanding bass notes are transferred to the subs. As the subs are also driven by the amplifier output, their output is seamlessly integrated with the speakers.

Not that you need the subs, but when you want to 'upgrade' you will be able to do so without having to buy new speakers. Putting a sub or two with the Treo's will get you 85% of a Quatro.

B

Full disclosure, Vandersteen Treo CT and 7 Mk2 owner, so i can certainly be ( rightly so ) accused of bias. Above comments are spot on. The Treo CT is a fatigue free speaker and easy to place in room, flat to 40 hz and a very easy load. I currently run my Treo with an ancient but highly modified MC240 tube amp. Your current pre/amp will work great. You might want to surf the Vandersteen owners forum to see the wide diversity of systems w Treo.

Finally, you have narrowed to three excellent choices all of which deliver value from trusted high end companies. Enjoy the music !

Jim

@delmatae ,

Though Vandy lovers seem to be loyal customers, we all seem to know the value of a time and phase correct speaker. There is something 'right' about it that one can't put into words.

I listened to the original Vandy 2's in the '80's. Due to constrained finances, I couldn't indulge in my passion for Audiophile sound for 30+ years.

Though I listened to many great speakers at audio shows- Dahlquist 10's , Mangnepans, Shahinian (okay, I like speakers that offer wide, disperse sound), I always remembered the Vandersteens. They just seemed to get it right.

Everyone hears things differently. So, take my posts with a grain of salt.

-But,

When you hear a time/phase aligned speaker, and you are sensitive to it's sublties, then there is no going back.

B