I have the Vandy Treo CT and love them. Before that I had the 2CE Signature II. I am laughing at "Vandy Treo is over-rated and undervalued". They have been on Absolute Sound’s "Best of the best" list for years. Klaus from Odyssey Audio (I have his amp) says he loves the Treos, and he knows his stuff. I got mine used, like-new for $5K, which was a steal. Paying $11k retail, there is competition for sure, and I don’t know what I would choose. I have read great reviews of the QLN.

There is a member here who has had both the superbly-rated Vandersteen Sevens (with Vandy mono amps) and the Treo CTs for years, and he’s forgotten more about audio than I will ever know. His Sevens were great when I listened to them on a visit, but they didn’t make me feel inadequate about my Treos, which is saying something. There is a common voice to Vandys, consistent as you move up the line. BUT—he’s moved on and replaced the Treos with TAD monitors and loves them. $15k speakers though...50% more than Treos. 

One advantage which was a big selling point for me with the Treos is I have a small room, and they are designed to be placed near the front wall, with their down-firing woofer.. My room is a smallish 11x15’, and I have the speakers about 8 inches from the front wall, on the long wall. About a 9 foot throw to my ears, and they sound great. 

IF you do get Treos, you REALLY want to bi-wire them. Really. They are designed for it, and it makes a difference. Of course, it doubles the cost of cables, and that’s not insignificant with good wires. 

Absolute Sound on the Treo CT:
"A loudspeaker of uncommon musicality and precision. Built upon the R&D that gave birth to the flagship Model Seven, the four-driver, medium-scale Treo CT conveys a single-driver-like coherence that immerses the listener in the very moment the recording was captured. It combines uncanny image specificity, color, and texture with an enveloping sense of air and immersiveness. At least some credit must go to the Model Seven-derived CT (carbon tweeter), which is as transparent and open as it is extended. Basically, a passive version of the Quatro Wood CT, the Treo may not have quite the bass slam of that model, but you’d hardly miss it due to its unflappable resolution of pitch. A true classic. (262)"
https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/high-end-audio-buyers-guide-2024-vandersteen-treo-ct/

FWIW

The Greatest Bargains in Loudspeakers: $10,000 – $25,000

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/the-greatest-bargains-in-loudspeakers-10000-25000/

you seem to feel very passionate about the Treos

parkergetdean

I am, but I am not a "fanboy". I put my money where my mouth is, and I don’t change components often. Unlike some here, even $5K was a big investment for me, but the deal was too good. I happen to know and love the Vandersteen sound, for years. If I had big bucks, there are many other brands I would consider as an alternative. I have been to audio shows and dealers and heard some outstanding speakers, including Magico, TAD, Joseph, Wilson, Acora (I’d love to hear his new "budget" stand mount monitor), MBL (❤️), Magnepan, and others. I would drive myself insane trying to choose a system if money was no object. System synergy is important too, and when I had a McCormack DNA-1 amp (the designer is brilliant), it played especially well with Vandersteens so that’s where I got hooked. We all hear differently and have our own biases. There is a respected brand I won’t name that is way too hot for me on the top end...like fingernails on a blackboard. Others love them. 

The right answer is what is right for "YOU". You being anyone. But good component matching is so important. IMHO

PS: The choices are mind-numbing. I don’t know how I would build a new system from scratch if I could afford anything I want! 
Capital Audio Fest report:
https://www.stereophile.com/category/capital-audiofest-2025

Capital Audio Fest room:

Mark Sossa of Well Pleased AV always puts together solid, good-sounding rooms, often featuring Merason DACs and Qln loudspeakers. At this show Sossa's system, fortified by Alma Music & Audio, reached new levels of transparency, quiet, and soundstaging, wowing and entrancing me.

Sossa presented the US debuts of the Merason DAC2 ($12,500) and Qln Prestige 3 G2 loudspeakers ($12,500/pair). Also in the system was an XACT S1 EVO Music Server ($18,600), an Audio Hungary Qualiton 300B Integrated Amplifier ($11,000), and a GigaWatt PC-4 power conditioner ($16,000). Cables from Kubala-Sosna and AB-Tech REN. A Finite Elemente Pagode Signature rack ($4750) and Nemesis acoustic panels ($799/ea.) rounded out the system.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/us-debuts-merason-dac2-qln-prestige-3-gen-2-alma-music-audiowell-pleased-av-system