I agree with you Oglala. There are so many choices for 30K. That said, I've heard the Vandy 5CT sound nearly as good as ANY speaker I've ever heard with all AR ref gear and top of the line AQ cabling at Audio Connection when Richard was there visiting. It was one of those days where the stars aligned and the sound was near perfect on all genres. Many felt the 5's were besting the 7's that were playing in the other room. Personally, it hit home as I've always said that too many audiophiles like everything to sound dynamic and 'detailed'. The 5's were rocking for sure, but the 7's were just layer after layer of detail and micro/macro dynamics. Much closer to live for my tastes. That said, the 5's were doing the same, but it was a lot of complex music and all digital that was being thrown their way and they just resolved everything as fast as they needed to. I was captivated and so were the others there. I spoke with many guy who didn't really like Vandy's until that day. There were owners of Verity, Wilson, Rockports, Proac, B&W, Legacy, Focal, Thiel, Dynaudio and a few others that I forget. Everyone one of them was in shock and said they were doing to come back and audition the 5CT's as they were floored by the sound even at that 30k price point.
To me it's telling that someone gets the Vandy's at first glance in a not so perfect listening environment. Personally, I need to listen in the sweet spot for any audition and I need MY music and components that I"m comfortable with. in a room that I know. The fact that often Vandys and ML's are compared is interesting. I always tell folks that the carbon midrange/tweeters that Richard uses in his top speakers SOUND as fast as panels/ribbons. There is no smearing in the way he designs his speakers and that's so huge I think. If you have a chance you can go to his site and see how he builds his cabinets and speakers. I know that it costs him more to make his speakers than most of his competition. You truly are getting a lot for your money, however to me the only thing that counts is how things sound. Again, he's not the only one who makes great speakers by any means, but I do feel that from the Treo on up his speakers are best buys and should be on anyone's audition list as they don't sound like they used to sound. He's really taken them to new heights I feel. JMHO
To me it's telling that someone gets the Vandy's at first glance in a not so perfect listening environment. Personally, I need to listen in the sweet spot for any audition and I need MY music and components that I"m comfortable with. in a room that I know. The fact that often Vandys and ML's are compared is interesting. I always tell folks that the carbon midrange/tweeters that Richard uses in his top speakers SOUND as fast as panels/ribbons. There is no smearing in the way he designs his speakers and that's so huge I think. If you have a chance you can go to his site and see how he builds his cabinets and speakers. I know that it costs him more to make his speakers than most of his competition. You truly are getting a lot for your money, however to me the only thing that counts is how things sound. Again, he's not the only one who makes great speakers by any means, but I do feel that from the Treo on up his speakers are best buys and should be on anyone's audition list as they don't sound like they used to sound. He's really taken them to new heights I feel. JMHO