Vandersteen Signature Series Speakers...Opinions? (1 Viewer)

[Scott-C]

I just got done reading a very favorable review of the Vandersteen 3A Signature (L/R main), VCC-5 (center), and VSM-1 (surround) speakers in the November 2001 issue of WSR. I know nothing about these speakers and was curious if anyone owns them or has heard them.
If so, what are your opinions of these speakers (primarily for HT use)? How did they compare to other speakers you demo'd?
The reviewer goes as far to point out that these speakers perform far better than their price point and can favorably be compared to much more expensive speakers. Being the kind who always likes to hear multiple opinions, I'd enjoy hearing your's if you have experience with this speaker line.
Thanks!
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Scott

 

[Phil M]

I almost posted a similar post, except I've been looking at the 2Ce Signature and wondered how it would compare to my current Paradigm Studio 40's and CC center. I'm using a Servo-15 sub, which I would keep.
Phil

 

[Mario_C]

Go to www.audioasylum.com and do a search. Also, go to the www.audioperfectionist.com. You can download two free journals. Journal 2 has a review of the 2Wq sub. Journal 6/7 has more info on these speakers.

 

[Joe Casey]

Just my $.02...........If I weren't a planar guy, I'd be using either Vandersteen or Joseph speakers. I do use the Vandersteen 2Wq subs though.
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Q

 

[Mario_C]

Also go to the Vandersteen Home Page for more information on their speaker, and visit the Review Page for more opinions.

 

[Lin Park]

I have been fortunate enough to be living with a pair of Vandersteen Five's in my setup for exactly one year (this Halloween). Eventually, I will add in the corresponding center and surrounds but I am quite pleased for now.
I'm sure I'll get in trouble by saying that I think these sound as good as any planar out there with a much better low-end punch and defintely better than any other dynamic speaker dollar for dollar.
If the article said the Vandy's are good for HT, wait until you hear how well they do audio.
Several fellow HT'ers have listened to my setup and then gone out and switched to Vandy's. Give them a listen - you won't be disappointed. My advice would be try to get hold of used pair and go from there.
Lin

 

[Scott H]

Vandy 2C's are amongst my favorite speakers for music.
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[Phil M]

Without getting into a "subjective" debate on sound, I'm asking in general only, how would you classify Vandy's sound using the following terms:
Warm/Neutral/Bright
Airy/not airy
Thin/Fat
Or has anyone ever compared them directly to some Paradigm Studio speakers?
I do not have any dealers in my state at all, or I would just go listen myself.
Phil

 

[Lin Park]

It really depends what you feed them but in my findings they are very neutral if you use solid-state amps and take on warmer characteristics with tubes.
I am assuming you are referring to soundstaging and imaging on airy/not airy. The 2's, 3's, and 5's are very good at disappearing into the room and have excellent soundstaging abilities.
Not sure what you mean by thin/fat. If you are referring to total frequency response then they get fatter based on how much you spend. The 5's are full range and have an excellent low-end (tight and quick). The 3's are very good and the 2's start to tail off at the low-end. I would not say that any of them are thin though. A friend who has 2's in a fairly small room gets pretty good response out of his driven with the Outlaw Receiver.
Hope this helps.
Lin

 

[Joe Tompkins]

I originally ran Vandersteen 2ce's as my front
speakers with 2 2w subs. I have since upgraded
to the 3A Sig and moved the 2's to the rears.
The subs are currently idle, but I'm thinking
about getting the model 5 cross-over and connecting
the 2W's with the 3A's Sig's. My dealer feels
this will give me a "mini Model 5 system". I
have the vcc-1 center as well. Great speakers
for both music and theater.
Regards,
Joe T.

 

[Scott-C]

Joe,
Can you elaborate on their capabilities in a home theater arrangement? Imaging/creation of wide & deep soundstage, dynamic range capability, etc.
Thanks!
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Scott

 

[Joe Tompkins]

Scott,
The speakers do present a deep and wide soundstage.
They really disappear in the room. They are very
detailed in presentation, bringing the subtle sounds
and noises of a soundtrack that give you that you
that "you are there" feeling. Isn't that the object
of HT? Now, there are a few things to consider.
1. Room size, you need to give these some room to
breathe. Set them up according to the manual
and they will perform as advertised.
2. Dynamic, yes they are, but they are also limited
in there ability to play very LOUD. If you are
looking to build that blow away theater to play
at Reference levels and above, maybe the Vandy's
are not for you. Do people really watch at the
Reference level?
3. I find the vcc-1 center channel to be the weakest
link in reference to number 2. It will start to
sound a little strained and thin as the volume goes
up. I suppose the vcc-5 handles this much better,
but have you seen the price on that one, or the
vcc-1 Signature????
4. Can't comment on the new subs (wq, v2w), I have the
older ones, but the bass is very tight and clean
from these. Most may find not enough BOOOOM for
Home Theater. I guess that's why the new ones
have adjustable "Q" levels to bring out that
factor. They also offer a line level input so
they can be used off your ".1" channel. The older
ones DO NOT and have to be integrated into your
Main channels. Vandersteens original idea was to
have a sub for every channel. Great for Vandersteen,
bad for public. I guess that marketing didn't go
over so well.
None of these items are a factor to me. My system
is really 75% music, 25% theater. If I want boooom,
I crank up my M&K sub, it's a real beast. Perhaps
when I get my HD set top box, things will change.
Regards,
Joe T.

 

[Scott-C]

Thanks for the reply.
quote: 2. Dynamic, yes they are, but they are also limited
in there ability to play very LOUD. If you are
looking to build that blow away theater to play
at Reference levels and above, maybe the Vandy's
are not for you. Do people really watch at the
Reference level? [/quote]
That statement does concern me. Any purchases I'm considering now would be for use in a future dedicated, soundproofed home theater, and I would like the ability to play at reference level. Bummer - they seem like great speakers. Why are they limited in their ability to play loud?
Ah, I may still have a look at them anyway.
Appreciate the comments!
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Scott
[Edited last by Scott-C on October 23, 2001 at 01:04 PM]

 

[Saurav]

Why are they limited in their ability to play loud?

Probably because they are designed for musicality rather than impact. I know Vandersteen has an HT-specific speaker range too, maybe those are geared more for dynamics rather than inner detail, and so on.

 

[Joe Tompkins]

Scott,
Don't take that the wrong way, they can play loud,
but they are not P.A. speakers. I believe the speaker
efficiency is 86 or 87db and most important the
design is a first order cross-over. First order
cross-overs keep the music "in-phase", that's one
of the reasons I feel this speaker is so natural.
But those two factors will limit the speakers ability
to really BLAST.
Mine are setup in an 18X24 dedicated room.
Do yourself a favor and go check 'em out. They are
tuff to beat for the price, especially after you hear
them.
Regards,
Joe T.
[Edited last by Joe Tompkins on October 23, 2001 at 02:13 PM]

 

[Scott-C]

OK, thanks for the clarification. I'll definitely put them on my short list of speakers to check out when the time comes.
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Scott

 

[TheLongshot]

I have a set of 1Cs and I'm quite happy with them. When I was trying out speakers, these were the only ones that I was satisfied with listening to music. The music seems to come alive with these. The only regret was that I couldn't afford the 2ce at that time. It definitly addresses the weakness of the 1C, which is that it is lacking somewhat in the midrange. I will eventually upgrade these in the future for more Vandys.
Jason
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My DVD Collection

 

[rodneyH]

Vandys are amoung THE BEST soft dome tweeter speakers out there (I say this, b/c I prefer the sound of B&W, but I have some Vandys in my "b" system, and if you like that type of sound, GO FOR VANDYs.

 

[Alex F.]

The Vandersteen line uses critically damped metal-alloy tweeters, not soft-dome units.
I personally have never liked alloy tweeters due to their typical oil-can resonance modes and ringing. But, last month, after listening to the Vandersteen 3A Signatures, I finally heard an alloy tweeter that I liked--and I liked it a whole lot. The tweeter (along with the entire speaker) is clean, detailed, smooth, and nonfatiguing. A first for me, and possibly the best tweeter I have ever heard, including those in speakers costing many times the 3A's price.
To these difficult-to-please ears, the 3A Signature is, overall, the best speaker under $10,000 I have ever auditioned.
Next month I'll begin building a new house with a larger dedicated theater room, and when it's done I anticipate installing a Vandersteen 3A Signature system in there. This audiophile was greatly impressed.

 

[Phil M]

It's my understanding that the 2Ce Signature uses the same tweeter that the 3a does. That is what drew me towards it. I'm looking for "smooth" and "warm", with "full" midrange.
Phil