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New Vandersteens or something else?

I'm starting to think about new speakers. I've been running Vandersteen 2Ce Sig II since 2008. I love these but also know they are the weak link in my system (mostly Ayre electronics). At RMAF a few years ago, Richard Vandersteen told me he had upgraded the midrange in the 2s and that I would be pretty happy to just buy the latest iteration. Have any of you compared the original Sig II to the new version with the woven midrange (I think these came out ca. 2012)?

What about the latest 2Ce Sig II compared to the latest 3A Sig? What do you get other than more bass and an even larger monolith?

I would consider other brands but strongly prefer to stay US-made or, at least, from countries with protections for workers and the environment. If cost were no object, I would get one of the Vivid Giyas or Vandersteen 7. With a $15K budget, I would get Vivid B1s. The Vandersteen Treo (IMO, the best looking speaker Vandersteen has ever made) is almost within my budget but I'm hoping to get a worthwhile upgrade for $5K or less. Others on my short list are the Paradigm 85F (Canada) or, maybe, the Revel F206 or F208 (Indonesia). Some KEF models are interesting with the coincident tweeter/midrange but these are made in China and the Stereophile reviewer was underwhelmed with HF performance.

Thoughts?


beetlemania
donvito101
278 posts
 
Monitor Audio is made in China. You said you did not want speakers made in China!
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,368 posts
 
Vandersteen is made in California and has support that is superb.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,254 posts
 
I'm not sure where you are located, but Johnny R at Audio Connection in NJ had most of the Vandersteens on display when I visited him in March while picking up my Prime.  Who knows, he may even have something used.  Worth a try, I always think of him first when looking for new audio equipment.
alex828
21 posts
 
 How about Ryan speakers of Riverside CA.  The R620 or R630 would be under your 5k budget
jbrrp1
423 posts
 
A great speaker that is budget friendly for your range is a used pair of Reference 3A Grand Veena's that are on offer now for $2,500.  I've owned three different models of Reference 3A speakers and have loved them all (also started life in the high end with Vandy 2C's, and later ran some Quatro's). 

I actually was pondering snapping up these speakers as an efficient, tube friendly alternative pair for my main system, but concluded my wife would divorce me (we are down sizing, and storing a spare set of speakers.....well, it wouldn't go unnoticed!).
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