Speaker Recommendations

As your budget is $1000, it is going to be a bit difficult to find what you are looking for. First, a LOT of speakers will have the same problem in controlling the voice coils of the Vandersteens. Secondly, there just aren't a lot of commendable floor standing louspeakers at the $1000 price point.

May I suggest that you could look into used speakers such the Totem Arro, Von Schweikert VR2, or Coincident Conquest? None needs as much current as where you currently are.

Another idea is to call Bill LeGall at Millersound, (215) 412 - 7700. His transformations of these particular Vandersteens have earned him a tremendous reputation. He really opens up the sound, and winds up making them far easier to drive as well. While not the biggest fan of the Vandersteen 2, after Bill mods them, I come away quite impressed. On top of it all, it will more than easily fit into the budget you have specified.

Thank you, Dracule!

One other speaker I neglected to mention is the Triangle Antal, or one of the speakers a step or two up or down from it in the family. There are also some offerings from JMlabs that might fit the bill, but at that point, you are probably taking a step back sonically.

Again, one thing happens a lot, even with speakers considered "efficient" is poor control of a speakers voice coil. For the most part, these combinations can work quite well, but if you are after the type of bass control it sounds like you are, it is not as easy as many people think. Like most things, brute force solid state amplification does have its advantages and disadvantages. Unfortunately, one of its advantages is also one of your sonic priorities.