I've had the Green Mountain Audio Callistos in my system for the past ten years and have not had the desire to upgrade speakers since that time. Before that time I was always looking to upgrade my speakers. If I ever do upgrade it will be to another newer Green Mountain Audio speaker. I've listened to four of their models and they all have a very similar sound signature from the upper bass on upward. Most of the models use different drivers but I believe the sound is so similar due to the unique first order crossover and dead quiet cabinet construction.
The speakers are very efficient, easy to drive and play very loudly. Transparency, soundstaging (especially depth), microdynamics, inner detail, and reproduction of the human voice are extremely well done and I really haven't heard better in those areas from most other speakers I've listened to. Six moons gave these speakers a phenomenal review ten years ago. I've had several members over my house from an audio club I belong to and all agree they are first rate speakers and cannot believe such sound quality coming from relatively small monitors.
I do agree that the monitors do not have a lot of deep bass however the bass is very tight and controlled. I'm using a Rel Storm III sub which integrates seamlessly with the Callistos. I'm using a hybrid integrated amplifier so I agree having some tubes in the playback chain is worthwhile. I have not compared them to the Vandersteens.
Just my opinion.
The speakers are very efficient, easy to drive and play very loudly. Transparency, soundstaging (especially depth), microdynamics, inner detail, and reproduction of the human voice are extremely well done and I really haven't heard better in those areas from most other speakers I've listened to. Six moons gave these speakers a phenomenal review ten years ago. I've had several members over my house from an audio club I belong to and all agree they are first rate speakers and cannot believe such sound quality coming from relatively small monitors.
I do agree that the monitors do not have a lot of deep bass however the bass is very tight and controlled. I'm using a Rel Storm III sub which integrates seamlessly with the Callistos. I'm using a hybrid integrated amplifier so I agree having some tubes in the playback chain is worthwhile. I have not compared them to the Vandersteens.
Just my opinion.