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Vandersteen 5 vs Model 2c/2wq Combo

If anyone out there has read any of my posts, I have been scouring the Earth to find a speaker setup that will fit my needs and fit my pocket book. I have found some great info here and now I have another question.

I thought about getting the Vandersteen Model 5. I believe that with this setup, I would not have a need for a subwoofer, but my listening room is small and I believe that the Model 5 would be alot like practicing scales with my guitar plugged into 100 watt Marshall stack in the bathroom. It would be complete overkill in both price and size for me; plus, I don't think I could afford that big of an investment all at one shot and you know how savings usually goes out the door because of emergencies or whatever. However, I could afford to get the Vandersteen Model 2ce this year(with help from tax refund) and then next year maybe get one Vandersteen 2Wq subwoofer. How would this setup compare to the model 5 in sound quality? The model 5 would probably still be much louder and probably get better integration, but how close can I come to a good sound with the 2ce/2wq combo?

TIA
matchstikman
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
Nrenter is right on. I bought a pair of model 5 about 10 months ago and that was an unjustified bad decision. If I were buying it over again I would choose a pair of 3A sig and 2Wq instead.
matchstikman OP
205 posts
 
Thanks for all the feedback. I have alot to think about. Ok, I understand how the source and amp make a big difference. Right now I have two 60 watt, tube, monoblocks, no-name and hand built, and I am interested in getting something by Audio Research in the future.

Anyway, here is another question; what kind of amp matches well with the Vandy 5a? With the 2Ce? What are Vandy-ites using?
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
I am using Theta Dreadnaught to drive my model 5 because I double my 2-ch with HT setup and I already have the Dreadnaught before I bought the 5. Ultimately what amp matches well largely depend on your taste. I like the 5 driven by tube amp better so in the future, when the upgrade bug bites, I would probably get something like BAT VK-75SE, Quicksliver V4, or Atma-Sphere.
nti75
29 posts
 
If you could stretch your budget, I would highly recommend the 3A Sigs. They are much better than the 2's, and you may not even need the subs. If you decided to purchase the subs in the future, you would have a setup that comes close to the performance of the 5's for less money. In the meantime, you could enjoy the outstanding performance of the 3's.

Good Luck ....
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Maxgain offers a good analysis. I owned a pair of 2cis for about 10 years, and as my electronics and source improved, I was able to get much better sound and lots of enjoyment from my modest (in high end terms)speaker investment. I have now graduated to 3Asigs and they are MUCH better, but if space is a problem, these suckers are BIG. If you want to keep $ down, I would start with 2ce sigs and a single 2WQ, then move up to 3A sigs, then add a second 2WQ. Right now I am reasonably content with the bass, and am upgrading electronics (bi-amped McCormack DNA 0.5 Rev B to Rev A). You can get by with a lower powered amp if you use a powered sub; the tubes you are using would probably not be enough for the 3A sigs, but would probably work with 2/2WQ or 5s (due to powered subs). I would vary slightly from Maxgains rec by focusing on a high quality pre and then go for the source (either new CDP or add a used DAC-very cost effective). Just my 0.02, YMMV. Have fun.
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