New Speakers 1k

I was in a similiar predictament...and after auditioning Vandies,Maggies,Spendors,Sonus Fabers,etc...settled on the new Quad 12L monitor...which is a larger standmount...for its transparency,detail,3-d imaging, and legendary Quad transparency....and for its price range...exceptional bass...the SPendor 3/5 is great on vocals,strings.etc...but has very little bass below 70hz...if you are used to Vandy bass...the QUad is the only small speaker I can think of that can compete....and they can play louder and cleaner than the Vandies...

I also auditioned the SF Concertino...but they really need a sub...which is what I wanted to avoid...so for more full range sound...I opted for the Quad 12Ls....but I like clean deep bass...

Well...dont get too caught up on specs,design,etc...let your ears be the judge...and suffice to say...specs can be misleading...the Vandy on "paper" is rated lower...but not by much...a difference of a few hertzs is just that...and the new Quad 12L is a large,deep standmounter with a unique dual port design ...and much more cabinet volume that anything near its price...but more to the point...Quad is one of the oldest hi-end speaker makers around...from the 50s...and they are designed in the UK...where the competition to produce a truly world class monitor is fierce...and their claim to fame is their ELS speakers...which are reknowned for transparency,detail, and 3-d imaging...trust me...I performed an exhaustive search of over 6 mos. to find a monitor speaker with this kind of imagining abilities AND full range bass performance...if u find something similiar for 1k...let me know...

ALso...I am comparing the Quads more so to the monitor speakers in their price range...such as the Spendors,etc....than the Vandies 1cs...although my dealer carries both...which is why I am very familiar with each...and did an a/b with each as well...bottom line:the Quads 12Ls do have enough low end that u will not be missing much(especially compared to the SPendors)...and I am not sure how loud you listen...but Vandersteens do not like even modest volume...and in this regard...the Quads low-distortion drivers really do shine...

Again...12L is the one to beat....