Calling on Vandersteen 5a owners

Hi Machine,
As Will so aptly said above the 5A upgrade is a pretty comprehensive upgrade. I wrote about it in my System notes so you may want to look there. I also noted some significant enhancement in the highs to go along with the mid and bass changes. Will is also completely correct in stating that the 5As are capable of revealing everything your source components can throw at them. I was happy with my 5s and thought nothing would be better...well...I was wrong. It was at least a 40% improvement in my room. It also made me go out and get the Theta Gen VIII though so be prepared. ;-)
Cheers,
Michael

Steve and Mike, I am in complete agreement with you about the sound quality of the 5's (and 5a's). Everyone who has heard our system has raved about the sound, which is truly sublime and deeply involving and satisfying. However, I can't ignore the fact that as we have made improvements in our home decor, my wife has become, in her own quiet sweet way, increasingly unhappy with the appearance of the Vandy's in the LR, and there is no other place to put them except build a listening room in our unfinished basement. Before you say, "Buddy, you just solved your problem!", let me just say that separating myself physically from my family to pursue my passions is not a tradeoff I'm willing to make. My wife's happiness is more important to me than keeping the Vandy's when I could have speakers that sound 90% as good, but look 1000% better to her. Life is all about priorities... And it is not as though I'll be miserable with any other speaker. As long as I buy wisely we should be able to get speakers that are mutually satisfying. At least this is what keep telling myself, although putting on a favorite LP, turning off the lights, and savoring the sensation of beautiful music emerging from the 5's does weaken my resolve to "Do the right thing"!!!

Hi Bruce, I understand. Does this mean going away from a floor standing speaker entirely? If you can stay with a floor stander you may want to consider the Quatro. It will take up a lot less space and sound almost as good as a pair of 5s. Plus, they will probably be available with an all wood finish eventually. (No promises as this is only a rumor.) Just a thought.
Michael

Hi Michael, That's a possibility. However, I think she is wanting something with lots of beautiful wood and little black grill cloth, which is why I've been considering the Avalon. This will be a long search, which ain't all bad to an audiophile!
Cheers,
Bruce

Hi Bruce,
Good luck. I think that you'll like the Quatros quite a bit. You should have your local Vandersteen dealer find out about the wood version of the speaker. I'd happily put it up against the Avalons any day.
Cheers,
Mike