Vandersteen 5 vs Model 2c/2wq Combo

FWIW, my son had a pair of Vandy 1's for almost 10 years while in college (currently finishing his PhD thesis). About 18 months ago, I helped him acquire a used pair of 3A's, but he is still using the Model 1's for rear channel surround. The 1's have served him very well, making good music although they don't go much below 40 Hz.

I don't have nearly the experience of some of the other posters. With that said, I find the Vandersteen 2's to be the best value in their line and amongst the best values in audio. You did not mention your room. I think that Vandersteens can be quite fussy about room and placement. I believe that all of the Vandersteen options should be easy to audition. BTW, I'm not a big fan of the McCormack amps in general but they do seem to work very nicely with Vandersteen.

After using Vandersteen's for a long while and going the progression-2Ce-2Ce Sig and then to the 3A Sigs, I would stick with the Signature versions of these speakers. The 2Ce does not sound as refined as the 2Ce Sig like the 3A does not sound like the 3A Sig. In fact, the 2Ce Sig and 3A are very close in sound and I personally would take the 2Ce Sig over the regular 3A. The money is close on the used market. I currently use the 3A Sig and a pair of 2WQ subs. It takes a LOT of setup but worth the effort.
To me, unless the equalization is precisionally done on the Model 5, they overload a lot of rooms. Not to knock the model 5 (because it wasn't set up) but I heard a pair in Atlanta (dealer) and I know he could have sold them to a kid for a car and the kid would have been in heaven! He said listen to the bass. That's all you could here. I wish dealers who sold Vandersteen's would take time and set them up correctly (a very uncommon thing in my experience) The Vandersteen line can SUCK without proper electronics and setup. Most people don't understand them because dealers don't understand them and don't want to take time.
I used McCormack amps for years and they are a good match but when I went to a 4-ch. Theta Dreadnaught with 4 200w modules biamped and biwired---WOW!
I really think the ARC 100MkII or III's would be great. I heard this combo and I have to use another-WOW!
All of the Vandersteen line will give you beautiful music but setup is the key. Also, If you do use the 2Wq subs don't use the x series filters. Those things are as about transparent as mud. Buy some Infinicaps and make your own. It is not hard using the formula 6.28 x imput impedance x crossover frequency (80hz for the 2Wq) Michael Percy Audio carries everything you need (along with some other stores) try it, you'll like it! And it's cheaper to boot(about $40 vs $125). Otherwise use the Model 5 crossover box ($695).

"Matchstickman", "Sdcampbell" and "Maxgain":

So far, this is proving to be a VERY informative board for Vandersteen fans (such as myself), and present and past Vandersteen fans alike. I am liking what I am reading so far. I am finding this forum to be quite educational and informative. As I am thinking about revamping my system a little bit in the eighteen months before I am getting married, I am now weighing the options as to what amp and speaker combinations I want to enter my marriage with after I marry my lady and give her my last name in 2004. And given what my present living quarters are like right now, as well as those that I may encounter when I am into my marriage, it looks like that if I were to pick a Vandersteen combo to be with, I would be leaning toward the 2Ce Signatures with a pair of 2Wq's right now. It is either that, or I may get me a pair of Vandersteen 3A Signatures and use them by themselves. The difference being that I can get the 2Ce Signatures right now, and I don't have to change my amplifier if I don't want to do so. Even with the tricky impedence and complex driver configurement of the 2Ce Signatures, my Adcom GFA-545 MkII should suffice (given that it is rated to deliver 100 Watts Per Channel into 8 Ohms, and 150 Watts Per Channel into 4 Ohms........ more than enough for the 2Ce Signatures in my opinion), but if I should choose to go with a pair of 3A Signatures instead of the 2Ce Signatures, then I may need to change my amplifier then, and go with a more powerful one (probably one rated at about 250 Watts Per Channel). That is probably the real major difference right now.

Well, since I don't own a pair of Vandies yet, but I have listened to them before, and fell in love with them on top of that, I will continue to check this board for any new posts as they may come along. I find this board to be very informative, and will allow me to make an informed and confident decision when it is time for me to finally purchase my set of 2Ce Signatures.

Do keep them coming...... I love reading about Vandersteen speakers.

--Charles--

Ok guys Chaskelljr2001, brings up some interesting questions.My direct experience with the 3's is limited. They were not introduced until after I got out of the dealership where I sold Vandersteen(I do know a bit about the Model 4 first hand though, talk about a bitch to drive!). I have never thought of the 2C in any version to be difficult to drive as far as load or any other aspect. The Model 3 is more efficent on paper by 1db. Why wouldnt the same amp that can drive 2's drive 3's as well? I don't see why not. Anyone?