"Vandersteel Model 2s - They sound very nice but the Stereophile review seem to jump straight through the fact that their sound stage isn't top-notch"
Huh? Which review is that? To my ears, the 2Ce Sig IIs can throw as good a soundstage as any speaker I've heard (a list that includes models from Avalon, TAD, Wilson, Revel, Aerial, Thiel, B&W, Paradigm, MBL). In fact, they're *better* than most of those. The Vandies also can disappear into a room as good as any speaker I've heard (even when all of the signal is in one channel). Overall, I don't think you can do better at the price point. They are very musical and are above average at most any sonic parameter. In fact it's easier to talk about their (few) shortcomings. Compared to the *very* best I've heard (Avalon Ascent II, TAD Ref 1, and Vandersteen 7), the 2Ce Sig IIs are: 1) not quite as highly resolved; 2) lack a bit of extension at both frequency extremes (more obvious in the bass); and 3) have a somewhat veiled midrange. This last point I was able to mitigate with a cable upgrade (also, Vandersteen has recently upgraded the midrange driver; I've not heard it but presume that it sounds better than my iteration). For $2K, Vandersteen gives you a big, fat helping of what's possible in high-end audio. Best wishes in your quest!
Huh? Which review is that? To my ears, the 2Ce Sig IIs can throw as good a soundstage as any speaker I've heard (a list that includes models from Avalon, TAD, Wilson, Revel, Aerial, Thiel, B&W, Paradigm, MBL). In fact, they're *better* than most of those. The Vandies also can disappear into a room as good as any speaker I've heard (even when all of the signal is in one channel). Overall, I don't think you can do better at the price point. They are very musical and are above average at most any sonic parameter. In fact it's easier to talk about their (few) shortcomings. Compared to the *very* best I've heard (Avalon Ascent II, TAD Ref 1, and Vandersteen 7), the 2Ce Sig IIs are: 1) not quite as highly resolved; 2) lack a bit of extension at both frequency extremes (more obvious in the bass); and 3) have a somewhat veiled midrange. This last point I was able to mitigate with a cable upgrade (also, Vandersteen has recently upgraded the midrange driver; I've not heard it but presume that it sounds better than my iteration). For $2K, Vandersteen gives you a big, fat helping of what's possible in high-end audio. Best wishes in your quest!