Vandersteen 1Ci, Tekton Lore Reference, or Fritzspeaks Grove for a small room


I have not had the time to devote to listening to my system for a few years... Now that I am retired, I want to set up a system in a small room (12 X 14).  I am leaning toward small floorstanders so I don't have to mess with stands.  I am considering the Vandersteen 1Ci and the Tekton Lore Reference--but I see that the Fritz Grove is on special for $800, so they are also under consideration.  My amp is a Cayin A50T EL 34 tube integrated.  The nearest Vandersteen dealer is a couple of hours from my house, so I am able to listen to them.  I sent an inquiry to Tekton over a week ago, and have not heard back--I had the same problem lack of communication with them several years ago, when inquiring about the original Lores.  On the other hand, I have talked with Fritz several times in the past, and he goes out of his way to discuss his products.  At one time I did demo one of his older products, a MTM design.  I am hesitant to contact him yet about the Groves, until I am reasonably sure I would purchase them--He is so accommodating, that I feel guilty if I don't purchase something! 

At at any rate, I am looking for something that would work well in my small (basement) room, that has a reasonably wide sweet spot (two or three seats).  Thanks in advance for all input!

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Showing 3 responses by dave123456


  I'm shocked that no one chimed in defense of Tekton. Based on everything else I've read online the Tekton Lore should have destroyed the Vandies.
Paying for a review could be a bad thing if there was extra incentive for the review to be positive. It could also be the designer was having trouble finding a willing reviewer. I own the basic Lore and to me it's a very good speaker, but it sounds alot different than traditional hi fi speakers. I also had them in a small 10x12 bedroom halfway blocked by a bed so they couldn't really breathe and open up. Currently I'm using Paradigm Atom v3 (paired with a 3w tube amp) in this space with great results.
I own both the Sony MDR-7506 and Sennhesier hd58x, but just use these plugged directly into a cell phone. I'm looking at headphone amps.