Initial impressions of my new Vandersteen Quatro's in Audi Havana Black


I will post pics when I get more time on them.  I had them delivered and set up by Johnny Rutan of Audio Connections.  He moved them out to the corners of the room and close up against the back wall. I love the look as does my wife.  I also LOVE the HUGE soundstage these things can now throw.  NO SUCK OUT either.  I was shocked at that aspect. I was scared to death when he started them in the corner of the room. I have a very difficult room for bass as it's an open floor plan. I lose a lot of bass on the right channel as it's by a stair case.  I'm putting up a temp wall by the railing.  I am using a screen right now, but I need treatment of some sort still. 

That said, it only has about 30 hours or so and it's already starting to sweeten up.  I'm hearing so many things that I haven't heard in the room before.  I'm hearing bass passages that hasn't been there before.  On one passage of a  Bela Fleck song, the room just moved.  The thing is that I've heard so many of these songs on Wilson's and Magico's and B&W"s and Focals, Paradigms, Legacy's and so many other speakers, but the tonality of the Vandersteen bass is just special.  It's so accurate. What so many don't know is that the way he designed the bass amp, you still have the same sound as YOUR main amp.  Not sure how he does it, but he does.  You don't hear the difference. 


I think that the reason some don't get the Vandersteen's at first listen is because it's not like other speakers.  We aren't used to hearing a speaker that isn't 'hifi' sounding.  Its very organic. To me, it's like analog vs digital.  Both can sound GREAT, but digital is still digital and that's why vinyl and reel to reel are still going strong after all of these years.  Kind of reminds me of a plasma TV vs the LCD TV's when I went to purchase mine.  I was originally taken by the brightest TV's in the showroom, but I keep going back and watching all the Plasma's in the darker room that Magnolia was showing them in.  I wanted the Pioneer, but could only afford the Panasonic's. I have two of them and love them.  People actually ask me why their TV doesn't look as good.  I first ask if they had it calibrated professionally.  The answer is always no and then tell them it's a plasma.  

Set up isn't fun for me, so Johnny does it for me.  I'm digging my new set up and will write more later, but i am Jonesing to go up to the loft to listen some more.  I'm really loving the organic sounds of my system right now.  All genres too which is just awesome.  Not taking any digs at others systems, just loving mine.  We all hear differently and I get that.
ctsooner
Tom, you do crap me up.  I was never a huge Dynaco fan. Had them twice, but got a nice CJ rig instead and realized how bad some of the other gear really was, lol.  Sorry, had to. I know how much flac I'm about to receive, but who cares.  Had to say that. lol
@gndrbob,

I agree that RV has a great ear but others do so as well. I have been a 15 year Alon/Nola customer and have been perfectly happy. I have recently purchased a pair of Genesis 500 speakers and all 3 highlight that particular designers attributes and each sound different but in no way less musical.

The Genesis with the servo bass, titanium mid-range drivers and ribbon tweeters is hard to top in that regard, the Alon/Nola with the AlNiCo magnet drivers is an absolute delight on the ears. The Quartos compete on the same level but with the added benefit of the bass equalization. I listen to each for hours on end and feel no less connected to the music. The Quatros do present a certain organic wholeness but so do the Alons but in a different manner.

I listened to Vandersteens for quite a few years and always came away wanting to buy but never pursued the option until recently with the purchase of the Quotros and I couldn't be happier. I'm running the Quotros with 30 watts of class A power and they sound great, the Alons are powered by a Mac MC 275 and the Genesis get a bridged Rotel HT amp at the time.

 I may move the 500's in place of the Alons, they may not work in a vinyl system due to the servo woofers but I'm willing to give it a shot.
@nmmusicman 
I have never heard the Alon's, nor heard of them, but if they work for you, then all the best. 
Though, I wonder if 30 wpc is enough for the quatro's? I'd be curious to put the MC-275 with the Quatro's and see how they sound.
Bob
You can do it if the high current is there. Double the wattage of a tube amp and then put it back a SS. With the powered bass I can see it being plenty in a regular room.  
Thanks ct, 
I have never used a Class A amp, so I really shouldn't remark on power, but I feel, despite the powered bass, the Quatro's could use a bit more power than 30wpc.
I have to say that the Atma's really provide me with the most clarified sound I have ever heard.- Hence, my rec to use the Mac.
Bob