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Vandersteen question.

I got some advice in another thread to get rid of my speakers. It was kind of rude, as my question concerned digital devices, but it's probably true. My system: Rotel 951 CD player, Creek 5350SE integrated amp, PSB 5T speakers. Interconnects are silver serpents from better cables. Speaker cables are AR for bi-wiring, but some Ixos is on the way, as some of you called it the best bargain in speaker wire.
I've been looking into the Vandersteen line. I'm in a smallish room, 12X15X 8 high. I live in an area where there are no dealers within 150 miles, but I am planning a trip to see and hear for myself. My questions are: Will my Creek amp run the various models, 1b, 1c, 2c, 2ce, signature series, and with the size of my room would a smaller one be right? I'm not even sure of the difference between some of the models, like 1b and 1c, and 2 and 2ce, 2ci etc. If any of you have some thoughts I would appreciate the help.
elmuncy
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
there is a wrong statement in this thread that entry level high-end begins from Vandersteen 2Ce...

you can start with 1C or 1B and later-on add 2Wq. in this ensemble you will smoke 3As. their cheepest model is one of the most successfull entry-level 2-way designs vs price offered and they will match great with your Creek. They're the best among speakers in $1.500 price range that you can get used under $500. After all you can simply compare your amp connecting to the different pairs of speakers in the demo room if you have such possibility. imo 2Ce's sound seemed to me unopen and undefined when i listened them in the demo room with Basis 1400/Audiable Illusions Modulus 3A/Rogue M120 magnum monoblocks... another words they didn't meet my expectations since i love music to be more with life and with more colours than black-and-white.

3As are not the tallest vandy speakers. The tallest are series -4 that are discontinued and replaced by 5.
elmuncy OP
64 posts
 
I thank all of you for your help. I'm going to make the trip, not sure when, but I've heard so many good things about Vandersteen that I need to hear for myself. So many speakers sound great at first, but get old quickly. One of the things that a lot of people have said of the Vandy's is that there is no listener fatique, and they seem to get better with time.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
...somewhay i miss my previous vandy's 1C :)
wloeb
43 posts
 
In my (very opinionated) opinion, only three Hi-end loudspeakers are really needed to cover all price ranges:

Reasonable: Vandersteen 2ce
Expensive: Audio Physic Virgo
Stupid: Wilson Watt Puppy's

I feel the Vandersteens do enough right to satisfy most music lovers. I owned the 2ce's for 5 years and was always very satified with the sound. They don't offer the ulimate resolution but they do convey an awful lot of the music. The creek should drive them nicely but you are mixing a warm sounding amp with warm sounding speakers. If you like a smooth warm liquid sound you should be happy. Even though I have become stupid, I still miss the vandersteens.

Wayne
judit
217 posts
 
Marakenetz,
I believe I said, "in my opinion". Our difference of opinion serves Elmuncy well ... there is much to listen to in the Vandersteen line.
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