Vandy 2ce sig versus 3a

I'd take the 2ce Sigs the 3a is "darker" sounding.

Yes, the 3A is easily worth the extra $200 or so. The biggest difference is that the 3A has superior bass. Also, the 3A has better drivers. The 2ce Sig II uses the same midrange driver as the 3A but I don't think that that the 2Ce Sig does.

You should post this on Vandersteen's "Tech Advice" board - get the info straight from RV who seems to answer such questions with candor. Understand that Vandersteen is frequently updating the design and not always are changes reflected with a new model name or number. It is apparent to me that Ljs_fin is confounding the "3A" with the "3A Signature", the latter being the model that shares the tweeter and mid-range drivers with the 2ceSig II. I can imagine - but don't have experience - that a late model 2ce Sig (not the II) will sound better than an early 3A (excepting for, possibly, bass performance). Again, RV is your most credible source for such info.

Bass performance is not the only area where the 3As are better. The 2Ce Sig has a less sophisticated midrange driver than the 3A.

Midrange is the heart of the music. The 3A has a more advanced open-back midrange driver using an Alnico magnet. The 3A midrange has no reflective magnet structure behind the cone (this driver is also used in the 3A Sig and, though irrelevant to the OP's question, the newest version is better and periodically updated and is now also used in the 2CE Sig II). The 2CE sig midrange driver has a more conventional die-cast frame with a ceramic magnet.

So looking only at drivers and cabinet size:

3A is much larger and has better bass than the 2Ce Sig.
3A has a better midrange driver.
3A has the same tweeter as the 2Ce Sig. (but drivers vary depending on manufacture date).

This is definitely not the best way to compare speakers and there are many other differences. But I want to point out that the speakers are not as similar as they may appear.