Why So Many Raidho Speaker For Sale?

Interesting thread to say the least.  I'm so surprised that folks aren't mentioning Vandersteen 7 mk 2's in their discussion of high end speakers of the highest level.  I've heard most of the speakers in this thread in folks homes as I've never been to a show (been in the hobby since 1969).  I think I have decent ears and I fully understand synergy within a system and room.  I realize that we all hear differently and even though I have yet to hear a Wilson or Magico or B&W that Iv'e liked, I do know many who love them and that's awesome as that's what it's all about.  

I've heard smaller Raidhos, but not their top of the line ones.  I couldn't get emotionally involved with them.  Based on this thread they obviously have a very loyal following, so I'm sure they weren't set up to sound their best.

I have reread this thread since the last post.  I notice that many on here have or know folks who purchase items on reviews and not on listening. I don't get it. I never have and never will.  I can't imagine spending any money on audio without listening to it, unless you get a full refund if you don't like it.  It's an easy way to lose money and stay frustrated. 

I just ordered my new Vandersteen Quatro's this past week as the buyer for my Treo's came to pick them up. I made sure to keep them in the system so that the purchaser could listen to them first to make sure that they were what he was looking for.  I"ve heard the Quatro's so many times in so many rooms and with so many electronics and I knew that I wanted them.  It's most probably the last speaker that I ever purchase, unless I win the lottery.

I notice many posters make statements about folks spending so much on their hobby and passions.  To make the statement that YOU won't ever spend that kind of money seems fine, but who are we to make those statements about folks who can afford to spend that money?  They are keeping companies in business as those expensive speakers allow those same companies to market more affordable gear to those of us who can't afford the more expensive gear.  I bet that 'normal' people look at any high end audio junkie and call them nuts for what THEY spend on their gear and music.  

As for the thread, I too have noticed that too many retailers 'get rid of gear' by selling their new stuff as used on Audiogon or other sites.  All that does is devalue the manufacturer.  It's been done for years.  Often it's a maker using a third party to move their gear to make something and not have to offer a warrantee possibly.  Often an amp company will offer their new products as B stock just to move things.  Personally, I will always try to stay with a company that stands behind it's products and keep their resale value.  JMHO

Um....OK....there are some pretty good posts in this thread and many don't disparage your speakers.  It's a public forum and it's aways interesting to hear what folks say about things, good and bad.  I have never seen a post by anyone saying it's time to mercifully end a thread.  Most large threads meander as this one has.  I know Raidho isn't for me, but I wouldn't' disparage them.  They seem to be polarizing.  They obviously have their following as do most high end speakers.

Not sure why you feel you need to let everyone know a thread is over or maybe I misunderstand your post (which happens with me all the time).  

What's happened here?  LOL...are you guys kidding or serious?  Hope just kidding.

Stereo5.  The Vandersteen Quatro's are on order still.  I head out for Nepal until the 10th of Feb, so I told them to take their time.  I will have them painted in Audi Havana Black (the darkest brown metallic you can find).  I can't wait, but have to, lol.  Sending my Ayre AX5/20 integrated back to Ayre to have them install the crossover so it's internal.  Will sound better great this way and less cabling to deal with.  I've heard this speaker so many times in so many places with so many different pieces of gear, that I already know it's going to tie in with my room perfectly.  I've needed to have a speaker that has built in bass and full EQ.  That's what I love about them.  

Thread officially hijacked, lol.

Stereo, have you auditioned the Vandersteen Treo CT's yet?  If not, it's probably worth it since you are in that 8k price range already.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised by all they can do at this price point.  I have two friends I met on the boards who were looking in this range and auditioned the GE, DR, PSB, Paradigm, Dynaudio, used Wilson Sasha's and Maggies. 

They went together to listen most of the time and they said that the Vandersteen's each time were the most enjoyable.  They would sit and listen to music for hours at the store and not even get into their audiophile recordings.  Honestly, that's the biggest reason I switched from Proac's.  I was a free agent. I had no dealer with allegiance and no designers I felt I need to purchase from.  I didn't even want to listen to the Vandersteen's, but Rutan at Audio Connection made me listen to the Treo's.

I went there to listen to Proac D series floor standers.  They weren't in the same league and the set up was just ok as it was in the front of the store not far from the door.

From top to bottom they got the music right and they were open and threw a big sound stage and were so dynamic at all listen levels.  Even my brother and father who were with me and known nothing about audio, said that the auditions were even close. He had the B&W and PSB's out that we heard also.  The Maggies din't move enough air for rock and on bad rock recordings they were ruthless and hurt my ears.  The Vandersteen's seemed just as fast and there was no smearing of notes.  

Why the Quatro's over the Treo's?  Because of the built in bass amp and eq.  I have a loft that has a partially open wall down into the larger living area.  The Treo gave me great bass from among to tunefulness.  That said, the Quatro is in a different  category for bass.  It's what I've always wanted and we all know that real bass is expensive.  I've found that to my ear the GE bass isn't of the same quality as the Vandersteen's.  It will give you a lot of air movement and is better than many other speakers at or even above it's price.  I'm liked Sandy's speakers in the past and I do like his newer speakers, but for me, Vandersteen was just more accurate and musical.  I'm not the biggest fan of the ribbon tweeters either.  They can be very rough on top at times.  The new Proacs are done well, the newest Legacy's are nice (I can't listen to their older ones) and the GE's are also nice, but I personally feel that carbon tweeter that Richard's using in the Treo on up is the best sounding tweeter on the market.  It's sweet without the syrup.  It's just tonally accurate and thats what he was going for.  

Again, this is all just MY opinion.  Not putting down any other speaker as we listen differently and hear different things.

It's all good Stereo.  I wasn't  a Vandy fan until the newest ones.  I never fully understood them.  I think the new drivers etc... put them over for me.  I will get out to hear the new GE ref speakers once they hit the stores.

I've fallen for the Vandersteen Kēnto's for similar money. Best in class for my money and ears.  The point you make about getting a legit full range speaker that doesn't beam or smear and gives you all the octaves makes a ton of sense, especially considering a floor stander takes up the same footprint as the monitor and due to so many things, gives you as good or better imaging, staging and everything else that monitors 'used' to give you.  

Again, some buy for looks and others buy for great sound.  No one is wrong as it's personal choice.