My Latest Vintage Venture... Vendersteen

mdaudioguy
mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
edited February 2012 in Vintage Speakers
VAndersteen!!!! Why can't we edit thread titles???? :redface:

Found a pair of Vandersteen Model 2 speakers advertised for what I thought was a fair price. Pics looked good, guy says they sound great, so I'm picking them up tomorrow. Just wanting to give them a try. I recently had some Klipsch Forte IIs in house that I just resold, so I'm curious to hear these. Fortes didn't really do it for me... for some reason, they didn't have the low end I thought they would, despite the 12" woof and 15" PR. Honestly, my Monitor 10s seem to put out much tighter, stronger lows. Yeah, I heard the Vandy low end isn't all that either, but couldn't pass up a chance to get them in house for a comparison. We'll see.
Post edited by mdaudioguy on
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited January 2012
    I hate when I post typos. So embarrassed. :cry:
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,082
    edited January 2012
    Congrats!!!
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited January 2012
    Do you own any SDA's? I'd really be interested in hearing a comparison of both.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited January 2012
    Heard 'em, but don't own any.

    Try here: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?108614-SDA-2A-vs.-Vandersteen-2ci
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,043
    edited January 2012
    I would be interested to see how you like them. I've never heard the Forte II speaker but I do have the Vandy 2CE and SDA 2B. To me the 2CE mids and high end are "cleaner" than the 2B...keep in mind my 2B's were all original stock except for the 194 tweets. I am just about to finish up their upgrade from top to bottom and really looking forward to hearing an improvement.
    The 2B's are a better speaker for heavy rock as I think they are more "in your face" than the Vandys. I have the Vandys in my surround set up mated with a 12" Mirage subwoofer and I think they go well together. Just received Wish You Were Here SACD and plan to crank it up tomorrow night.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • inspiredsports
    inspiredsports Posts: 5,501
    edited January 2012
    mdaudioguy wrote: »
    . . . why can't we edit thread titles ???? . . .

    You CAN edit thread titles during the alloted edit time.

    Just click on the "Edit Post" and then "Go Advanced" button, and just like magic, there it is.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
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    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited January 2012
    inspiredsports wrote: »
    You CAN edit thread titles during the alloted edit time.

    Just click on the "Edit Post" and then "Go Advanced" button, and just like magic, there it is.
    Now you tell me! LOL
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  • michael1947
    michael1947 Posts: 775
    edited January 2012
    These vandys. I was just talking with my sister way out in Iowa about this and that and speakers came up. She is now a widow and left with some big old ugly speakers that are as tall as she is. I had her read the tags and she said Vandersteen, have you ever heard of them. I said yes and that they were "ok." She, like most women, really like those neat, pretty little Bose guys. Sounds like I have a re-fit coming up. Any idea what model might be that big??
    Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
    Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

    Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited January 2012
    michael1947 wrote: »
    Any idea what model might be that big??
    Might be model 2's or 3's on stands if she is short,if she's tall could be the long discontinued 4a.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited January 2012
    Well, they're in house - garage, rather. Turned out to be Model 2C. They're in much better condition than I thought they'd be. Almost perfect. Cloth on the very top of one shows a slight amount of wear, but not bad at all. Came with a long pair of bi-wire cables. Hooked 'em up to ensure everything is functional, and it seems to be so. Mega-heavy stands seem to be filled with shot or something.
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited January 2012
    Congrats you have yourself a nice pair of loudspeakers.
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,043
    edited January 2012
    They are very sensitive to placement. If you don't have the owners manual you can download it for specific instructions for best set up. Congrats, they are a good speaker IMHO.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • radon
    radon Posts: 11
    edited February 2012
    I heard vandersteen and forte are totally different animal .....
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited February 2012
    I like the Vandy's....while I wouldn't say they aren't the last word at any one thing, they do everything pretty well. Nice grab.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Vette C6.r
    Vette C6.r Posts: 1,560
    edited February 2012
    Where did you get them Ed ??

    Soundscape always seems to have at least two sets there alot.

    Did you get them ??
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2012
    A guy at work was selling them and it seemed like a no-brainer... They may be 20-25 years old, or so, but they're in great shape. I could never get into a new pair! However, I haven't "really" set them up properly yet, but they are definitely interesting. I don't quite know their fate yet.... We'll see.
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  • rromeo923
    rromeo923 Posts: 1,513
    edited February 2012
    Are you selling these? Saw a pair on CL yesterday in Westminster. Not sure if I am interested but might like to hear them.
    I got static in my head
    The reflected sound of everything
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2012
    Yep. I've been trying to talk my brother-in-law into taking them. He's got a great ear for music, but listens to everything through crap speakers. I keep exposing him to better gear, but he just doesn't get it just yet... yet he's a musician. Oh well, I'll keep working on him!
    These Vandersteen's... thought I'd try to flip 'em if I could. I'd like to pick up a decent vintage receiver or tuner right now. If I can't make a little money on them now, I'll hold them until my basement is finished... However, the list of speakers I have that could end up there is growing... Polk Monitor 11, Klipsch Heresy II, Vandersteen 2C...
    You're more than welcome to come give them a listen!
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,152
    edited February 2012
    Do you know if the surrounds have been redone on the 2C's?
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2012
    Tony M wrote: »
    Do you know if the surrounds have been redone on the 2C's?
    Well, I'm thinking the surrounds are rubber, so that probably should not be necessary.
    From: http://soundt.18.forumer.com/index.php?showtopic=6078&st=15&#entry67833
    Vandersteen made a transition to rubber surrounds during the 2C run and those with four digit serial numbers are most likely foam, those with five digit serial numbers got the new rubber surrounds instead (not counting the "C" at the end of the number)
    My serial numbers are 5 digits.
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  • Phillyphan801
    Phillyphan801 Posts: 40
    edited February 2012
    grats
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2012
    Phillyphan801 wrote: »
    grats

    Trying to increase your post count by replying to every thread? What do you want to sell?
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited February 2012
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Trying to increase your post count by replying to every thread? What do you want to sell?
    I think his first post (and second) explains it... Haha! Busted!

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?129548-Polk-Audio-SRT-complete-setl....
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2012
    You guys are mean! :cheesygrin:
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited February 2012
    I have had vandie 2ce sig, and the 3A. they are mellow sounding. They do have a lot of bass when set up right but, the mellow sond is too mellow for some people. They didnt sound bad at all but, sometimes the mellowness of them gets mistaken for a lack of detail when they actually are detailed but just not in your face like Klipsch are.
    The sound anchor's were usally sand filled. Make sure you get the tilt right to point to your ears. If they are 1-2" off, the sound will change drastically in my opinion.
    I sold mine when the warning lights kept coming on with floyd's welcome to the machine. One of the girls came into the room and asked me why the speaker looks like its blinking at me LOL.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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