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Vandersteen-like "In-between" speakers

I have a pair of Vandersteen 3A signature speakers that came on loan from my brother and I have to give them up in about a month. I am using them with a McCormack DNA-225 and they sound great. I have heard from others that Vandersteen works well with McCormack.

I don't want to spend more money than I have to, but I have about $6K set aside to buy my own speakers. This amount is much more than the 3A signatures. There is no way that I can stretch to buy the Vandersteen 5 or 5A's. A friend of mine has them and they are fantastic.

Can anyone suggest a speaker in my price range, which falls between 3A and 5A, that will give me the same "flavor" as the Vandersteens and will mate well with McCormack? I listen to all kinds of music except very little classical - mostly rock, jazz, bluegrass, vocals.
motdathird
mikej
172 posts
 
Latest Update from Vandersteen:
I just spoke to the factory and the Quatros are going to be shipping within the next 30 days. The final price is $6,995/pair. Orders for them are already being taken by dealers. In fact, there is already a small back order on them.
Regarding technical specs, the bass crossover/high pass filter will use the same arrangement as the Model 5s. So matching it to the room acoustics shouldn't be a problem.
Cheers,
Michael
audiophelia
19 posts
 
IMHO you should stick with Vandersteen, or find a speaker
with similar characteristics, e.g., dark, recessed, nonanalytical sound, because your amp tends to the lean and lively side. Maybe the Quattro will be right for you. It won't be my choice because I won't be dependent on a dealer for dialing in the room adjustments. Modern psychiatry tell us that audiophiles, tweakers, DIYers, want the freedom to move things about and make acoustical adjustments themselves. Do I want to make an appointment with my dealer whenever I move my speakers or change upstream gear? Not this audiophiliac! The high-end Vandersteens are some of the best speakers in the world. But they are for people who want to listen to music, not for the restless afflicted who enjoy the never ending search for the absolute sound.
rex
245 posts
 
There's no law that says a dealer is required to adjust the bass contour. Anyone with access to a RTA can do it themselves, exactly the same way the dealer does it. The manual Vandersteen provides even documents how to do it without a RTA.
dseid's avatar
dseid
48 posts
 
"IMHO you should stick with Vandersteen, or find a speaker
with similar characteristics, e.g., dark, recessed, nonanalytical sound"

Funny, as I recently purchased the 3A Sigs and find them far far from "dark, recessed and nonanalytical". Paring them with my Parasound amp and Rogue 99 Magnum preamp, and these characteristics never come out.

Instead they are very involving and musical. I convinced that most who come to your conclusion spend way too little time with Vandersteens. Unlike alot of other speakers, Vandersteens are not likley to overwhelm you with a quick/at the dealer casual listen. Over time, you hear an amazing balance, and a very satisfying, albeit relaxed presentation. They do what they are meant to do - showcase the music!
audiophelia
19 posts
 
Does the manual document how to do it with an RTA?
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