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Vanderteen 5A's versus Wilson WattPuppy 7's

I can't decide between the WattPP 7's and the Vandersteen 5A's.

Both sounded great albeit with different front end digital (Wadia 861 with Vandy's and Mark Levinson 390S with WP7), preamp (ARC II vs Hovland), amps (Quicksilver V4 vs CJ Premier 140). It is impossible to audition these side by side. Both sounded great with their respective electronics. Both had great sound stage and deep extension. The Vandy's had base that was really visceral (too much at times when the sub comes in). The Wilsons had very tight clean bass and amazing clean high freq. I think the midrange was better with the Vandy's but concerned about the boomy low end. I may just not be used to real visceral lower energy. Any comments? From what I have read, the Wilson's are show offs with a more up front and dynamic presentation and the Vandy's closer to live music.
dkuriloff075f
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
While you did not specifically ask for comments about the Wilson Watt/Puppy combo, I have felt for years that it is over-rated when compared to less expensive speakers. If cost is a factor in your decision -- even somewhat -- then the Vandy 5A would seem to the best choice, since it sells for about $7k less than the Wilson combo.

Jkphoto is absolutely correct in his comments that the Vandy 5A, with its' 11-band equalizer for the subwoofer section, provides a wide range of adjustment to tailor the response to the listening room.

I have heard both the 5A's and the Wilson Watt/Puppy, and personally preferred the 5A's. I can't imagine being dissatisfied with its performance, and the $7k that you save can be used to upgrade other components in your system.
rwd
695 posts
 
Hello...I hope I do not start a controversy. However, I recently heard both speakers....the 5A's and the WP-7's.

My experience...The Vandersteens were quite good...with a smooth midrange and very good top and bass. I am used to the sub-woofer bass on my Infinity RS-1B's with much more air movement. However, the Vandy's were, how shall I say...polite??
When I listened to the WP-7's , they were spectacular .....wide and exact images. Clear, clean midrange and very tight and defined bass. The top end was good but still had that Wilson "bite"?

If I were to choose....don't know.....The Wilson were spectacular ...the Vandys were polite....BUT the reality is I believe the Vandys are MORE like live music the the Wilsons. Like it on not....live music is sometimes "polite".
rbstehno
1,406 posts
 
i heard both of them at he2003 this year. not the best place to audition systems but you can get a good idea how they sound. i also have a local dealer with the 5a's and listened to them there as well. both are very good speakers. price no object,i would pick the wilson's. with 7k savings in my pocket, i would probably go the the 5a's. If i was going to buy a pair of speakers for 15k-20k, I would either purchase the joseph pearls or the revel salon's, both IMO, sound better than the WP-7's or 5a's.
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
Did you listen to any other speakers in the same room so you could get a feel for the sonic characteristics of the room. If you know what the roomsounds like it is easier to get a feel for how the speakers sound.

Which one of the auditioning system more closely resembles your own?

Just a couple of questions to consider.

I'd buy the Wilson Watt/Puppies if it were me.
rbstehno
1,406 posts
 
they were dedicated rooms. the room with the wp 7's was a bigger room. i talked with a few people i knew that attended he2003 and they were impressed with the 5a's at he2003, so the room couldn't be all that bad. btw, i also liked the wp sofia speakers that were in a smaller room that the wp 7's, for half the price.
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