Vandersteen 5a vs Quatro ct which do you choose?

Buying new? Quatro CTs. Used? Can’t go wrong either way. 

The new carbon tweeter was a significant improvement over what was in the previous Quatro, and it appears to be better than what’s in the 5a. I’m very happy with my CT’s.  In my 22 * 12 * 7 ft room, there’s plenty of tight, powerful and tuneful bass. 

I had the regular Treo's and LOVED them.  I now own the Quatro CT (painted in Audi Havana Black).  There are differences in the drivers for sure.  That ceramic tweeter in the 5a is a great tweeter, but the CT tweeter does take things to the next level.  

Personally, the Quatro really is the sweet spot in the lineup. I chose a new pair of Quatro's, from Johnny Rutan, than to get a used pair of 5a's.  I do have a large room adn it's very open so bass is a very important thing to me.  That's why I went with "Quatro over the Treo's.  

The 5a won't overload your room.  They can be played in smaller rooms and still sound great, but to me the Quatro is easier to place in the room and it has plenty of bass.  It too has the 11 band EQ, so it's a trade off between MORE bass (5a's) or much more refined sound (Quatro) that still have plenty of bass.  I personally side with refined when I can afford to so take my comments in context.  Feel free to PM me as I love talking audio, lol...Pete

@ctsooner , nice to see you found this thread. I bet those Quatro's are killers. I hope The Music Player is working for you. I got the Mini, but still have to get it hooked up. This humid, hot and wet summer has drained this gardener.
@OP,
I bought ctsooner's Treo's. I have them paired up with Vandy 2wq subs.
I don't think I can do much better for the money. Heck, I don't think I can do better for twice the price.
Bob

+1, Bob