Life after Aerial 10Ts...


I've had a pair of Aerial 10Ts for 12 years... I've loved them & they're still in great shape but... I got this audio-itch in need of scratching and I'm curious to hear what else is out there.

Sonically, what I've loved about the 10Ts is their full-range, wide and deep soundstage, and sense of in-the-room musicality... I don't listen at high levels too often. Music is an ecletic mix of jazz, rock, blues, folk, classical and bluegrass.

For all of you past owners of 10Ts... what did you replace them with and why? Regrets?

Financial constraints dictate that my curiousity must remain under $10k or so, so please don't mention the 20Ts... would if I could but just can't afford to go there.

Any insights are greatly appreciated!
Mike
mdconnelly

Showing 1 response by rayhall

I auditioned the 10T's about 5 years ago. I found them to have exaggerated upper midrange, as has been described above.

I ended up with Vandersteen 3A Signatures, which, with good amplification, is a speaker that I can highly recommend. It is much less than $10,000.00, even new. Excellent bass, smooth mids and highs. It's not lacking in any part of the sound spectrum and is capable of excellent soundstaging as well. Although not the most dynamic of the Vandersteen 3 series, it is more than adequate in that regard.

You can consider moving up within the Vandersteen line, as well. Vandersteen Quatros have consistently been given excellent reviews, although I haven't heard them. The Vandersteen 5's, the first time that I heard them with Ayre electronics blew me away, they were so good. Superb soundstaging and musicality and resolution. Since then, I have heard the 5's and 5A's at shows and have always been disappointed. Was it a problem with setup and component matching at the subsequent auditions? Probably.

The other speaker that I have heard that I like a lot is the Von Schweikert VR4 JR. Superb dynamics, superb imaging and soundstage, excellent detail and resolution, again, a smooth midrange and treble, and excellent bass -- particularly deep bass -- from a small footprint speaker. They run 2K-5.4K, depending on whether you buy new or used, Mk I or Mk II models. When the time is right and I have money for a bedroom system, I plan to buy a pair.