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If you couldn't get Vandersteen speaker's

After many months of searching, I finally decided on Vandersteen 2ce signatures as my entry into the hi end. These speaker where to last me over the next several years while the rest of my system caught up to the speakers. Now after reading several post here on A-gon, I find that I won't have enough space for the left speaker. The left speaker would be in a space that was only 28" wide from side window to side of the entertainment center, and about 3' from the back wall which would put them about 1' in front of the entertainment center. Since I can't get these, what are some other speaker recommendations in the $1500 or less, new or used price range that would equel the Vandersteens? The speakers would be running through a dbx BX-3 power amp and a CX-3 pre-amp, so powers not a problem. I'm using the pre outs on a yamaha receiver to the pre-amp, so the speakers would be doing double duty for HT and 2CH music.
dbx
dbx OP
58 posts
 
Jkphoto, actually the polk RT800i's I'm currently using sound the same were they are and when I was able to move them farther away from the wall. Of course I couldn't keep them there because they interffered with watching Tv, but for music they sounded the same, and of course my wife almost blew a gasket with them out there. The biggest improvement I've had with these speakers is when I move them 3' from the rear wall and toeing them in a bite as apposed to them being up against the rear wall. My assumptions about the space needed for the vandersteens comes from the many post here and other sites.
dbx OP
58 posts
 
Sdcampbell- I knew if Vandersteen was mentioned you would reply, as most of the threads I've read about Vandy's had you input. I've heard the 2ce sig's only two time and that was enough to sell me on them. I realize very few if any speaker would be at their optimum performance level, I just don't want to take an excellent speaker and hold it back by 50% or more of it's performance level. If, let's say I only lost 20-30% (0% being no sound and 100% being optimal) then it would still be worth it to me to get the speakers since they would still sound better to me then the my Polk's which have served me faithfully for several years, I'm just ready to take it to the next level. I'll have to take your advice and give them an in home try.
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Dbx: yes, I have a hard time not responding to posts about Vandersteen speakers. For one thing, I know more about this speaker line than any other (after nearly 16 years of owning Vandies, I should!), but beyond that I believe strongly that Vandy speakers provide exceptional sound quality for the price. I hope you can find a way to audition the 2Ce Sig's in your home, because I think there's a decent chance that you'll find their performance quite acceptable. Good listening to you!
tpigeonb280
21 posts
 
I think the 2CE's will still sound better than the 1C's given your room. I also think that if you have problems with Vandersteens, you will have the same problems with other speaker brands. Test the 2CE's vs the 1B's in your room and see which ones you like better. The purpose of you buying your system is maximum enjoyment. Don't worry about holding a speaker back (speakers don't have feelings last I checked :)), worry about what sound you enjoy the most. Once you audition both speakers and you make your decision to buy the 2CE you can thank Sdcampbell for his advice :).
ci_audio
19 posts
 
I owned a pair of 2CE sig's and they worked great in my old house, where they were placed on the long wall of the room spaced out about 2 feet.
When i moved into my new place, the room required them being placed along the short wall ...about 2 feet from the side wall, and i could never get them to sound the same.
I've since gone to a Von Schweikert VR-2 and they work great that way. They are very detailed, natural sounding with great imaging.... very similar sound to the 2CE Sigs in my old room.
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