Vandersteen 3A OR Alon 2 MK2

THANKS FOR THE INPUT EVERYONE. I WONDER HOW THE 3A SIGS. WOULD COMPARE TO THE ALON V MK111??

Since we've heard from Vandy owners but no Alon folks I thought I would chime in. I have auditioned the Vandy 3As but not the signature version. I just purchased the Alon V MkIIs used and I am absolutely delighted. Very open sounding and extremely dynamic. I LOVE these speakers. (BTW, the main difference between the MkIIs and the IIIs is the woofer. You can order the III's woofer from Carl Marchisotto for $100 shipping included and have - in Carl's words - Alon V Mk 2.5s!) The Vandies are fine speakers but too laid back to my ears in my (large) room. The Alons are happiest in medium to largish rooms and play very dynamically and beautifuly powered by my 200 watt ss amp. A couple of caveats: first, all the Alon baffle mid/tweeter line is extremely neutral and revealing. Not etched, not bright, not analytical, but because they do NOT have typical box colorations you WILL truly hear what your upstream electronics and cables sound like. To me this simplifies my upgrade path. To others this is intimidating. Pair the Alons with good components (at leat 200 watt amp)and they will thrill. Second, they also sound their best tri-wired. I picked up used Acarion Black Orpheus cheap and I'm going to audition Coincident wire. If you like the Dahlquists, the bigger Alons carry on in that same family sound. E-mail me off thread and I will give you addy for fella at AA with Alons and DQ-10s if you want a blow by blow comparison. Nothing against Vandies, they are excellent, and IMHO underated. I seriously considered them, but I felt there were fewer limitations with the Alons now and for future upgrade path. A pair of used Vs just sold on here - if you can get used pair you will have an awesome deal.

HELLO AND THANKS FOR THE RESPONSES. I LOVE THE 3A BUT I THINK RACKON HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.THE DAHLQUISTS HAVE MORE LIVE ENERGY AND ARE MORE SENSITIVE TO THE EQUIPMENT FEEDING THEM. THIS IS WHY I AM SO INTERESTED IN THE ALONS EVEN THOUGH I NEVER HEARD THEM ,THINKING THEY ARE SPEAKERS WHERE THE DAHLQUISTS LEFT OFF. BETTER THAN ALL OF THEM???for my taste of course.

I vote for the Alon.

I forgot to add in my previous post: one of the coolest things about the Alons is their top to bottom coherence, almost like a planar. I defy anyone to find the crossover points listening to music. Playing many recordings this weekend, the other thing we've noticed is how they handled a large variety of music - everything we threw at 'em - with aplomb: large scale classical, choral, chamber music, rock, vocal, blues, big band, jazz trio, solo piano, etc. The Vandies are more forgiving, but I think ultimately I will be able to put together a really special system around the Alons. I know they're sure going to tell me EXACTLY what any new electronics I swap in sound like. For me, the extra homework is worth the ultimate reward. Your mileage may vary, and I have not heard the 3A's signature version, which may have addressed my reservations about the Vandies. But if you like the Dahlquist sound, I think you should try to hear the Alons. Good luck!