Compared the Vandersteen 2CE to the modded/upgraded Polk 2B

muncybob

Since the Mrs was available and just to confirm I was using my speakers in the right room I decided to pull the 2B's and replace with the Vandys in my 2 channel rig yesterday. Had to create some el cheapo jumpers for the Vandys. Put on some tunes she is familiar with..Hall & Oates Abandonded Luncheonette redbook and then some Norah Jones SACD followed by some Led Zep recent remasters to kinda cover the bases. Listened to the Polks first and then the Vandys. I value her opinion on sound quality but she cannot comment on depth or soundstage since her accident leaving her totally deaf in one ear, but it's amazing to me that sometimes she can hear things that I cannot.

Anyhow, the general consensus is that both speakers were very "clear" and to me the Vandys handle the top end with a little less brightness. The polks can be a bit bright at louder voulmes. There is no doubt though that the 2B's can dig deeper into bass. Perhaps this is why the Vandys sound so good in the Ht set up using a sub? As for mids I think it's a toss up. Played cd's on an Oppo BDP-93 through a Rotel pre and Parasound 1000 amp. I've read that Rotels can add a bit brightness? Maybe time to upgrade the pre.

deronb1

Interesting Bob as I have a pair of nodded 2Be and a fried of mine had Vandies. Although different rooms and and different gear, I pretty much came to the same conclusion. I thought the 2Bs would be better for 2 ch in a larger room with a vaulted ceiling.

muncybob

I expected a difference in the bass, was a bit surprised that the Vandys sounded a bit smoother in the high end at loud volumes. Soundstages were a lot different but I expected that. On the Norah Jones sacd she seemed to be in the room with us on the 2B's and while still pleasant on the Vandy's there was just someting lacking, not sure how to describe it. The room is a 14X24' rectangle ,wall-wall carpet and 9' ceilings. Not too bad a listening environmnet except for the 9' pool table between the listening position and the speakers...a strange "room treatment" indeed. I expect that will be sold sometime this year as we now spend more time with the tunes than shooting pool. Maybe we'll take up poker

erniejade

Vandies are less fatiguing in my opinion for longer listening unless the tweeter in the polks were upgraded. The vandies are also forgiving on lesser recordings. Sound stage should be different since the vandies aren't a complete "box" speaker. The vandies also have a smaller sweet spot in my opinion. Look at the setup manual, verry specific on hight and where it has to point vs the polks.

I have had 2ce sig, and A's at the same time as polk 1.2 and 2.3. In a large basement the 1.2 and 2.3 were better but, in a smaller living room the vandies were better. Could be the polks were just too big for the room.

muncybob

I did not take the time to properly set up the Vandy's, just wanted a quick comparison to see if I wanted to go through the hassle of changing things around. I agree though, the Polks sound better in a larger room. I always thought they didn't have enough space in the living room for a good soundstage. I am confined to having the speakers in corners in the LR and the 2B's sounded too "boomy" vs the Vandys. Upgrading the tweets in the 2B's was one of the best things I ever did and got me curious as to how a "complete" mod/upgrade would sound. Glad I did it!