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Vandersteen Model 2CE's: Should I upgrade?

I've owned these Vandersteen speakers since 1992 and they have sounded better and better as the rest of my system has improved.I've compared them to much more expensive B&W's and like mine better. I have a Bel Canto Evo 200.2 amp which is rated at 125 watts per channel and a Conrad Johnson PV12 tube preamp. I'm aware that the Model 2 has been improved since I bouhgt them and that there now is a Signature series. One dealer also told me that it would also sound better with a Vandersteen subwoofer. Is the sound that much better to justify these expenditures? What about upgrading to the Vandersteen Signature 3A? Is that a much better speaker and is worth making the jump?
mlkiz
r_burke
212 posts
 
I own, but no longer use the same speakers. Before I changed to ESL speakers I added the vandersteen 2W subwoofer and the difference was enormous. I really liked the 2C's, but loved them with the addition of the subwoofer. I never contemplated the upgrade to "signature", don't know your budget, but strongly recommend the addition of the vandersteen subwoofer if you are sticking with the 2C line.
midniter
9 posts
 
i have the sig's w/ no sub, very good electronics. my opinion is that a sub is only indicated if you are a bass freak or really like to crank the volume. the 2ce's are true full-range speakers, natural-sounding and honest. i have two different friends who upgraded (one to the 3 and one to the 5) and they have both had trouble integrating and driving the big speakers, as their rooms are not mansion size. also, i am not sure the signature's are "better" than the regular 2ce's - they are brighter, which is not necessarily a great thing in the world of cd playback. the bottom line, in my opinion, is that the 2ce's deliver everything needed for satisfying music reproduction at a reasonable price. unfortunately there is no need to upgrade .... but we do it anyway, as we are "audiophiles."
ritteri
223 posts
 
Yeah, going with 3A Sig. is the way to go. And with a pair of their subs its a great sound altogether.
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