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Vandersteen-like "In-between" speakers

I have a pair of Vandersteen 3A signature speakers that came on loan from my brother and I have to give them up in about a month. I am using them with a McCormack DNA-225 and they sound great. I have heard from others that Vandersteen works well with McCormack.

I don't want to spend more money than I have to, but I have about $6K set aside to buy my own speakers. This amount is much more than the 3A signatures. There is no way that I can stretch to buy the Vandersteen 5 or 5A's. A friend of mine has them and they are fantastic.

Can anyone suggest a speaker in my price range, which falls between 3A and 5A, that will give me the same "flavor" as the Vandersteens and will mate well with McCormack? I listen to all kinds of music except very little classical - mostly rock, jazz, bluegrass, vocals.
motdathird
zargon's avatar
zargon
453 posts
 
The Vandersteen Quatro was an idea that came to Richard just 3 weeks before the show, and the one at the show is the only prototype. He is using all existing components from his other speakers, but has combined them differently and packaged them at a very attractive mid point price.
This speaker has many of the good attributes of the 5A, at a much lower price. I liked the sound very much - good imaging and depth and a strong well integrated bass. It has the Vandy sound and is better than the 3A Sig (especially should be easier to set up since the sub is integrated), but is not on the scale with the 5A (in my opinion).
ejliu
109 posts
 
Motdathird,
If you are opened to used speakers, you can get a pair of used Avalon Radian HC or Dynaudio Contour model ?? for $6500. I think it has all the improvements/qualities that you described.

Maggie MG-20 would be another great choice. I think McCormack DNA-225 can work reasonable well with all these speakers.

Perhaps even a pair of Wilson speakers if you like them.
vedric
46 posts
 
Motdathird, After reading a little more on this new Vandersteen I still believe its worth waiting for an audition.

The show reports seem promising. Soundstage and Positive-Feedback approved of the sound for what it's worth. I can't wait to actually listen to them myself.

That said, If they are nothing more than 3ASigs with 2WQ's in overall sound quality I feel this is a step sideways for Vandersteen. Sure the inclosure size is attractive and placement/space issues much improved over trying to place a pair of 3A and 2WQ's. Not to mention the extra cables and hook-up issues with the 2WQ's. However if they don't offer most of that Model 5 transparency and perhaps a good chunk of the 5A magic (Quatro A perhaps?) then there is little to look forward to other than easier setup.
themadmilkman
182 posts
 
Well, even though it was in a different room, and about two months apart, I still feel that the Quatro is a significant improvement over the 3A Sig + 2Wq combination. And yeah, it's significantly smaller and more convenient than having the 3A Sig and 2wq in the same room...

But then again, all I want is a pair of 2CE Signatures for right now.
bigtee
803 posts
 
Vandersteen has reportedly made the statement that the Quatro is NOT the equivalent of the 3A Sigs and 2wq's. How could it be in the bottom especially? The 2wq uses 3-8" drivers, the Quatro uses 1-8" driver. No way are you going to move the same amount of air.
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