Vandersteen Treo vs 3A Sig as upgrade

"That would also go for the bass problems. I have a feeling that the speaker was knocked out of whack somehow."

There's a really good chance that the dealer wired the bass speaker cables out of phase with each other. They do it all the time.

Z, that could easily be it also. Just so many reasons many speakers don't sound the way they should and that's for many brands. Funny as folks talk about how difficult setting up a set of speakers can be, but if you have a great dealer, they'll come over to do it or be able to walk you through it. I"m actually going to purchase a laser so that I can easily set up the tilt of my Treo's in case they get moved. It's just so easy to do by lining up the dot's on the back wall and using a tape measure to measure the tweeters from your ears If I recall correctly. Johnny set mine up and it only took about ten minutes and most of that was putting the spikes on, lol. If he can do it in ten, then I bet I can learn to do it in 20 ;)......I do hope that the OP comes back to the thread as I didn't like how I answered him originally and I'm sorry for that. This thread is a good one and I tend to keep it that way. He taught me a great lesson about jumping to conclusions that most of us do about cables. I was taught a great lesson last night ;).

"I do hope that the OP comes back to the thread as I didn't like how I answered him originally and I'm sorry for that. This thread is a good one and I tend to keep it that way. He taught me a great lesson about jumping to conclusions that most of us do about cables. I was taught a great lesson last night ;).

Even if you did misread the post, you still have nothing to apologize for. Your intent was to give good advice and you shouldn't be made to feel like you did something wrong. The OP will just have to get over it.

Thanks Z, I get that, but it's also not easy to communicate via net boards. I"m very well known on Oklahoma Sooner internet sports boards and I've been doing it since 97 or so and I often am taken the wrong way. Bottom line is that he wants good advice and if he reads my last post, that probably is the real reason for what he heard.

I just got back from another demo of the Treos at a different dealer. The first demo that I mentioned in my OP was sort of slapped together by my local dealer. The speakers were walked into an approximate triangle, Kinber 8TC hooked up as a bi-wire and tied to an integrated tube amp of unknown power rating - "I don't know". Hmmm. Today was much different - with different results. I had emailed Randy at Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica that I might be stopping by about noon the next day (today) and that I was interested in the Treos. When I arrived there they were, already set up, wired up and the gear warmed up with Diana Krall on a Basis/Lyra Atlas combo, ARC REF2 phono and Ref5 (SE ?, I didn't notice), Audio quest IC's and SC and ARC REF 150's I believe. Randy was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. I give him five out of five stars.
So how many stars did the Treo earn in this new configuration? Hint: not 5. True, the top end sizzle was completely absent, as in gone. Not tipped up at all. Star for the Treo.
The midrange was a treat. Clean, clear and focussed like my 3A Sigs just can't by comparison. Female vocals were really well done. Piano, check. imaging, check. Three more stars for the Treo.
The bass. The bass (shakes head) - A deal killer for me. Sometimes ok, sometimes not. But when it was not, it could be really distracting. Thump, Thump. Definitely do a demo with your music preference before making a decision because YMMV. Add no stars.
Now I'm stepping aside and let the thread live or die on its own. I've got my answer. Thanks to all you who participated. It's been a blast!