For Vandersteen owners & lovers: Which other brands do you like?


If you didn’t own Vandersteens, what would you own instead and why? Or, if you switched to another brand what did you choose?

First, let me say that I am a Vandersteen owner for 20+ years, now on my 2nd pair of the 2CE, the Signature III. I have owned other brands, and heard many others and even liked some. 😀 I don’t change gear frequently once I settle on something. Lazy & frugal = me.

I am on the verge of being on the verge of getting the Vandy Treo CT. I have auditioned them at length. I have also heard the Quatro CT and if budget allowed (including upgrading my front end) I would get them for sure. I’m not a fanboy—there is a reason why Vandersteen has sold something like 100K pairs of the 2CE. They sound very good and all of their models are a real bargain/value in their category, imo.

I have heard and liked, for different reasons, Maggies, Magicos, Harbeths, Focals, Linkwitz-Riley, and other brands. Others that I have not heard intrigue me too. I keep circling back to Vandys—maybe it’s what I have known the longest. I have flirted with the Larsen 8 or 9, which is a totally different design (AbSound has reviewed them well), and also the MBL 120 and 126 (omnidirectionals).

I know I could be happy for life with Vandersteens (Treo, Quatro, or dreaming—the Kento or 7). I am interested in detailed opinions of alternatives in the $10K range though. Thanks!

128x128patrickdowns

I appreciate the replies! Some brands are familiar to me and I’ve even heard some of those. Others I would have to look up and read about. Since I am somewhat lazy, the thought of driving near and far, or even very far, to audition some of the more esoteric brands makes me tired. I’m going to SoCal in a few months for a few weeks and may have time to visit some dealers. But—my sloth may overcome me and I will then just get Vandy Treo CTs and I know I will not be unhappy.

If your willing to purchase used then look at/for Thiel CS3.7s .

They like Vandersteens are coherent in their design .

Um, I would never put Thiel and Vandersteens in the category of similar sounding. The treble balance is so very different.

+1 @erik_squires 

If you would consider buying used, what about a well cared for pair of 5A's?  If only considering new then I'd wait until I had the funds for Quatros. I am using Verity Audio Parsifal Encores and agree with many of the suggestions offered by others above.

A review of the previous generation Vandersteen Treo, by John Atkinson. He loved them, so I wish he would review the newest CT.
Treo review from 2013

--> Hi jc4659
Actually, I have been keeping my eyes out for used Quatro CTs and Treo CTs (there is a pair listed here on Agon for sale in PA ... like new, xlnt price but for local sale only and I am in WA state).

"My" Vandy dealer in WA is brokering the sale of a 3 year old but mint pair of Quatro CTs for the seller, who upgraded to Kentos. They are spectacular in rosewood (which is probably a $4000 upgrade now for that wood). I mean, drop-dead gorgeous. $15,000 with the 7 crossovers.  Anyone interested can p/m me and I'll give the contact info. $15K is about 50% over budget for me, sadly.