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Anybody Heard the Vandersteen 5A'S

MY SYSTEM CONSISTS OF A PAIR OF QUAD 988'S, A AUDIO PHYSICS
MINOS SUBWOOFER, THOR AUDIO TA-2000 PREAMP, THOR AUDIO 60
WATT MONOBLOCKS SHORTLY TO BE UPGRADED TO THE NEW THOR AUDIO 150 WATT MONOBLOCKS, CARY 306/200 TRANSPORT ALONG WITH THE THOR DAC & RICHARD GRAY 12 OUTLET 1200S.
THE PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT IS NOT TO MY LIKING IS THE MINOS SUBWOOFER WHICH HAS LIMITED OUTPUT. I HAD A TECH PERSON FROM STAR SOUND TECHNOLOGIES (THE OUTFIT THAT SOLD ME MY SISTRUM STANDS) PLACE A REAL TIME ANALYZER ON MY SYSTEM AND WE CONCLUDED THAT THE MINOS WAS DEFECTIVE. IT'S ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD. I WILL BE SENDING THE UNIT FOR REPAIR
OR REPLACEMENT. STILL, I FEEL THAT A BETTER PAIR OF LOUDSPEAKERS WOULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. I JUST FINISHED READING THE REVIEW OF THE VANDERSTEEN 5A'S IN THE ABSOLUTE SOUND. I AM TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE HABIT OF BUYING ON A REVIEW, AND TRYING TO AUDITION THE PRODUCT, HAS ANYONE HEARD THE VANDERSTEEN 5A? ANY COMMENTS OWULD BE APPRECIATED, AND DOES ANYONE KNOW OF A NEW YORK DEALER THAT
CARRIES THIS LINE. THANK YOU
kjl
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
I have recently auditioned the 5A's at my local dealer, and they are fabulous! Although Shane Buettner (reviewer who wrote the 5A review for TAS) is a big Vandersteen fan, I have to agree with almost all of his comments. The 5A is fast (only a hair slower than planars/electrostatics), VERY dynamic, superbly cohesive from top to bottom, and possessed of prodigious bass response.

Like Buettner, I own a pair of 3A Sig's with a pair of 2Wq subs, and thought I had it pretty good -- until I heard the 5A's. I don't know when or how I am going to find $15K for a pair of 5A's, but I am going to do it somehow. The best suggestion I can offer is get thee hence to thy local Vandersteen dealer and listen to the 5A's for thyself!.
jkphoto
167 posts
 
I do not think you will give up any coherency moving to the Vandersteen's. They are unbelievably coherent.
bigtee
803 posts
 
I have to agree with the above posters. The Vandy's are very coherent. I too own the 3A Signature's with a pair of 2wq's. I didn't think it got much better until I heard the 5A's. A wonderful speaker system that gives up nothing to no other speaker available in my opinion(including electrostatics.)Of course, I have never been an electrostatic fan.
As in Sdcampbell's case, I've got to find a way to come up with $15K!! Maybe the lottery-got to get lucky sometime!
zargon's avatar
zargon
453 posts
 
I have owned the 5As for 8 months and can not wait to listen to my system every night. These speakers have incredible bass that is so well integrated with the woofer you can not hear the crossover or transition between the drivers. The base is very natural even at low volumes and you never are aware that you are listening to a sub. The tweeters extend cleanly with no noticable distortion. The mids are warm and extremely well defined and focussed. I simply can not hear either speaker directly on well recorded music. These speakers can create a very wide, high and deep sound stage and sometimes I would swear I am listening to surround. This speaker continues the Vandy natural sound and was designed as the flag ship of the line. It is a must to consider - go do an audition.
tireguy
1,964 posts
 
I agree that for a multi-driver speaker the Vandersteen's are very coherent, but(and this is a big but) there is no comparison to a single full range panel/driver(or pretty close to full range) when it comes to coherency. That was the point I was making- I notice a lot of vandersteen owner's posting and I am sure pride of ownership will sway there opinion slightly- can't say I blame you guy's they are great speakers. However I don't own either but have listened to both speakers on more then one occassion. If you posted
Quad 988 vs Vandersteen 5a
you may get more diverse input from quad owners as well. I feel they are both great speakers, and you could live happily with either, but neither of them are perfect- no speaker is, there will be trade off's its the nature of this hobby.
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