Vandersteen 3A Sig vs. Von Schweikert VR4 Jr.

One thing Vandy speakers are lacking is gross distortion and they can sometimes be underpowered, the 3s do like/need power to be driven at their best.

I have 3a sigs and they need good clean power! I'm using a pass X-150 and pre X2.5 , this combo provides great dynamic sound. Prior to this I had a lesser amp and pre and the 3a sigs sounded horrible. !!!! Now my dilema is do I need the subs? Samhar

I bought 2 2Wq subs and the sound is fantastic in the low end now. Where the lows were mushy and sometimes boomy it is now tight and strong! Jazz is crazy with these subs and for soft rock if you like you can add boom by changing the Q setting. This setup surpassed my expectations!! I tried one sub first a W2 but I thought that set up sounded lean so I took it out and ran the 3as alone until I got the pair. Everyone said these were musical subs and I agree they make music not noise, I got down and put my ear by the slot and was surprised how high up the scale they went. Also many people think this set up is 80 - 90% of the 5. If you like the Vandy sound you will love this set up!! If your still looking send me an e mail with your # and we can talk .

ditusa: I'm a little surprised by your statements. I own 3a sigs, with a turntable no less, and a Mufi A308 and I can report that the speakers are capable of literally thunderous yet highly detailed bass. From Reference Recording's "Pomp and Pipes," to the Telarc Saint Saens Organ Symphony, or the 45 Rpm Prokofiev Scythian Suite--which delivers slashing dynamics via the Vandy's...I marvel daily. Perhaps your CD player is/was a weak link? I'm an orchestra musician as well.

CBman, as I mentioned, I own the same speaker and marvel daily about they're delicacy as well as they're explosive qualities. I use a turntable to get such results, but I'm now reminded of my search for CD players and how different they all sounded via the Vandy's, especially in the bass/punch department to which you refer. Having auditioned the Rega Planet, the Sony XA999ES, the 1K Marantz, the 3k Marantz SA14 v.2 and the MuFi 308 CD player--all in the home--I finally settled on the Marantz SA14 v.2, which had the best "punch" and bass by far. None of the above came close, though my Scoutmaster handily blew the Marantz away in the end. What CD player do you use? Believe me, I humbly but strenuously suggest that it's *not* the speakers, it's your CD player.