I'm a Vandersteen dealer. Let me try to clarify a few things.
1. The 5A is an improved version of the 5. How much better? As with everything in life, that will be for each listener to decide. The changes involve upgraded drivers, new switching power amplifier for the subwoofers, and new crossover. Fine tuning is done by hand to each speaker individually in the chamber.
2. For some people properly setting up and dialing-in the Model 5/5A will be possible. For many who are less experienced and/or knowledgeable, it will be difficult. A dealer (like me) has lots of experience setting up Model 5 and 5A's in all kinds of different enviornments and will be better able to insure optimal set up than a guy who is winging it for the first time.
3. Anyone who has original Model 5's and is perfectly happy with them can keep them for a lifetime and remain perfectly happy. I am always facinated by those who get upset when the manufacturer improves a design (in this case it took nearly 8 years before the 5A came out) and offers the latest upgrades to existing customers. It's a bonus for those who to upgrade to the new model. If you don't want to upgrade, that's perfectly fine too. No one is putting a gun to your head. It's just nice to have the option.
4. As a dealer who has done a number of 5 to 5A upgrades, it is the least profitable and least pleasureable thing I can think of. We become more like a moving company; picking up, shiping off, receiving, and delivering back to your house. We also have to rent a truck because the 5's won't fit in our van. Not fun.
1. The 5A is an improved version of the 5. How much better? As with everything in life, that will be for each listener to decide. The changes involve upgraded drivers, new switching power amplifier for the subwoofers, and new crossover. Fine tuning is done by hand to each speaker individually in the chamber.
2. For some people properly setting up and dialing-in the Model 5/5A will be possible. For many who are less experienced and/or knowledgeable, it will be difficult. A dealer (like me) has lots of experience setting up Model 5 and 5A's in all kinds of different enviornments and will be better able to insure optimal set up than a guy who is winging it for the first time.
3. Anyone who has original Model 5's and is perfectly happy with them can keep them for a lifetime and remain perfectly happy. I am always facinated by those who get upset when the manufacturer improves a design (in this case it took nearly 8 years before the 5A came out) and offers the latest upgrades to existing customers. It's a bonus for those who to upgrade to the new model. If you don't want to upgrade, that's perfectly fine too. No one is putting a gun to your head. It's just nice to have the option.
4. As a dealer who has done a number of 5 to 5A upgrades, it is the least profitable and least pleasureable thing I can think of. We become more like a moving company; picking up, shiping off, receiving, and delivering back to your house. We also have to rent a truck because the 5's won't fit in our van. Not fun.