Vandersteen-like "In-between" speakers

The room compensation controls on the back of the Quatros and MOdel 5s will allow you to place the speakers anywhere in the room. You then use the controls to level out the bass response. It's an amazingly effective answer to "Where do I place these so the image AND have bass response?".

when i was in the market for speakers vandy 3 a's were high on my list. Being a 1-b owner i was looking for more speaker but similar voicing. I discovered Dunlavy athenas (alethas) and the search was over. Great at low volumes, solid bass, very open detailed highs that are never harsh (as long as you avoid silver in your cd interconnects), beautiful mid range, holographic imaging. In short, for the $4500 i spent on them they seriously outperformed the 3as and other much more expensive speakers (including aerial 10Ts). They are also fairly easy to place and don't need to be out very far from the rear wall which can be a nice bonus.

Now that Dunlavy closed shop some folks think they don't sound good anymore and are giving them and their box shaped sibling the cantata away for prices as low as $2500. Personally i could never dream of selling mine except for vandy 5s and i'm not sure the upgrade can justify the expense.

The Vandersteen Quatro was an idea that came to Richard just 3 weeks before the show, and the one at the show is the only prototype. He is using all existing components from his other speakers, but has combined them differently and packaged them at a very attractive mid point price.
This speaker has many of the good attributes of the 5A, at a much lower price. I liked the sound very much - good imaging and depth and a strong well integrated bass. It has the Vandy sound and is better than the 3A Sig (especially should be easier to set up since the sub is integrated), but is not on the scale with the 5A (in my opinion).

Motdathird,
If you are opened to used speakers, you can get a pair of used Avalon Radian HC or Dynaudio Contour model ?? for $6500. I think it has all the improvements/qualities that you described.

Maggie MG-20 would be another great choice. I think McCormack DNA-225 can work reasonable well with all these speakers.

Perhaps even a pair of Wilson speakers if you like them.

Motdathird, After reading a little more on this new Vandersteen I still believe its worth waiting for an audition.

The show reports seem promising. Soundstage and Positive-Feedback approved of the sound for what it's worth. I can't wait to actually listen to them myself.

That said, If they are nothing more than 3ASigs with 2WQ's in overall sound quality I feel this is a step sideways for Vandersteen. Sure the inclosure size is attractive and placement/space issues much improved over trying to place a pair of 3A and 2WQ's. Not to mention the extra cables and hook-up issues with the 2WQ's. However if they don't offer most of that Model 5 transparency and perhaps a good chunk of the 5A magic (Quatro A perhaps?) then there is little to look forward to other than easier setup.