Vandersteen 2CE Signature III — video review on YouTube by Steve Guttenberg (1/15/2023)

dayglow re: Never understood the need or interest for product validation or brand forums. Steve Guttenberg praises everything he reviews.

I’m not that familiar with him, and had a friend send me this review. It seems that is his m.o. though. Some "critics" don’t like to be actually constructively critical, and some are too critical. That said, the Vandersteens across the board have gotten consistent praise (both for sound and for being superb values) through the years/decades from respected reviewers, and having owned several pairs for 20+ years (and considering new ones) I am confident in my choice and don’t need it validated. There are other brands I would also own, were I able to have multiple systems.

As far as brand forums go, the only one I visit is Vandersteen’s own forum. It’s a good source for system, technical, and setup info. FWIW.

Is it possible he reviews a lot of things but politely only publishes the ones he really likes?  

re: "Is it possible he reviews a lot of things but politely only publishes the ones he really likes?"

Don’t know, but I would guess that manufacturers—knowing it’s a safe bet he won’t air anything too harshly critical (the closest he comes seems to be "damning with faint praise")—offer lots of gear to him for reviewing. A steady supply of new, nice gear to listen to...maybe that is his ulterior motive? I know there are some people making BIG bucks on YouTube doing those product unboxing videos (WTH?)—does anyone know if he makes a nice living from this?

patrickdowns

Excellent post! I concur, the newest Vandy "2 Series" is excellent. The Legacy continues.

Happy Listening!

@jjss49 I find it interesting that you discuss Vandersteens getting brighter.  One of the great databases of info is John Atkinson's measurements.  I looked through several of them and didn't see the speakers getting brighter.  I am hyper-sensitive to forward and nasal sounds.  My Quatros are certainly more revealing than older designs I have heard.  There is more harmonic information, and the speakers seem to settle faster, I assume because of better drivers and boxes (where there are boxes), but I have never heard them sound bright.  Perhaps the amp matchup or cabling was off when you heard them.