Vandersteen Model 7: has anyone heard?


I won't have $45K to spend on a loudspeaker in this lifetime or any other I imagine but the little snippet in TAS peaked my curiousity. Has anyone heard this speaker and would be willing to offer their impressions?
russellrcncom

Showing 4 responses by maril555

I heard them at RMAF, and do agree- was one of the best sounds at the show.
Tvad, even though I do understand your sentiment, but couldn't agree with your impression. Of course, it's a matter of personal preference.
I actually made an honest attempt to listen to Audio Note speakers again (mostly because of your very comments on it in this forum), and yet again found them lacking dynamics and any resemblance to live music. They do portray a very different take on music reproduction, that to my taste has very little to do with how music actually sounds. Sorry.
In my statement, I was actually referring more to a dynamic aspect of live music, than to a tonal character.
I do agree on many bright sounding systems, which are not at all to my taste.
On the other hand, speaker can be totally tonally correct and lacking dynamics at the same time, and to me it's a discfalifying characteristic. Live music is extremely dynamic, and lack of thereof doesn't sound live, or "natural" to me.
I agree with you on two Daedalus rooms, just outstanding, one of my favorites at the show.
Siliab,
I think your impression is "room and system dependent"so to speak.
I heard 7s extensively in friend's system on very familiar dynamic classical recordings, and I have to tell you, that bass impact and extension were simply outstanding, better, than in my own system,and one of the best,I heard ever.
He has a very well designed and implemented dedicated listening room (Rives).
Also, as you probably know, the subwoofers in the 7s are adjustable,so I could imagine a less, than ideal setup,that can be improved.
The bottom line is- the bass extension and impact of the 7s are simply outstanding!