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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
patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns OP
514 posts
 

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. 

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,808 posts
 

look at legacys the signature 

 

they offer a huge amount of benefits and can esily compete with far more expensive loudspeakers:

signatures

bass down to 22hz

very efficient 98db yet easy to drive

very advanced drivers Heil AMT tweeter and Midrange

carbon and Silk  lower midrange

 

best bang for the buck loudspeakers on the Market

Dave and Troy

audio intellect NJ

Legacy dealer

 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
skucie
57 posts
 

I run my Vandersteens with Audio Research and AudioQuest cables with great results.

Moving from the 2CE Sig 3 to the Treo CT is a huge leap.  Probably bigger than you realize.  I'm sure you would be absolutely thrilled with the Treo CT.  That carbon tweeter is really something, but you might also consider the non CT Quatro on the used market.  I'd expect them to cost about the same and they would have the edge in bass, if that's more important to you.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
islandmandan
1,260 posts
 

Patrick, I read you're in Washington State, I wonder, where? I've been ensconsed on Whidbey Island since 1971. It's a hard place to meet other A-philes, I'm the only one I know on the 63 miles-long island. Poor me. 

I do love my system, though. (and my wife).

Regards,

Dan

patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns OP
514 posts
 

Greetings, Dan! I’m in Port Angeles. I thought when we moved here we would spend a lot more time going to Seattle but we really don’t (but should more). I do trek down to Tacoma to the local closest friendly Vandersteen dealer.

P

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