Vandersteen 2 Ci's
Well, I've been spending a good bit of time with the Vandy's that I aquired at PF....so I thought that I'd post some thoughts....
If you aren't familiar with the Vandy's...google 'em. I'm not really going to go through the whole compliment on the mechanical side. Besides, I've not taken the socks off (which is a PITA) so what's underneath is really a moot point.
BLUF is that this is a hell of a speaker and a steal, relatively, on the used market.
That said, it's not perfect...but, keep in mind that the speaker that I'm using as a reference (Quad 988) is a LOT more expensive and a lot different in design. So, what will 3 to 4 franklins of Vandy buy you? A HELL of a lot.
You get bass extension, in SPADES. Time and phase coherence....I don't know that I've heard a more 'coherent' cone-based speaker. The ability to throw a soundstage that is not SDA-sized, but, I'd hate to live on the difference. Wide and deep without congestion at any volume. If you like Symphony...think Mahler...think Strauss...Bruckner. Big. Bombastic. You know where I'm going with this....I can't think of a speaker in it's price range (to include comparable SDA models) that can do symphony like the Vandys. This was a nice change of pace from the Quads that simply will not do the big scale of a full on symphony. In the WilliamTell Overature finale (TELARC SACD)...man, talk about blow your hair back. I'm reminded of the first time I heard it on "The Truth" (George's Carver rig). The bass wasn't as deep as the Carver's (whose is?) but, it was not skimpy and it was well defined.
Now, what doesn't it do? Well, not much, really. The one area that I can tell that I'm not listening to the Quads is the midrange. The Vandy's simply lack the air and delicateness of the Quads. Listening to Vince Guaraldi's piano on the Charlie Brown Christmas Album....it's all there, but there is just slight syrupy 'thickness' to the piano. Not unpleasant, mind you, but this is where ESL's in general and Quads in particular make thier money.
High end extension is excellent. FAR smoother than the Dahlquist DQ-10 (the closest think I can think of to the Vandy). I think as compared to the DQ-10, the same as the Quads, midrange air and detail is better. Everything else, not quite as good. The highs on the Vandy's are very smooth and non-fatiguing. Those familiar with the AR9's...similar. This is NOT a metal dome.
Anyhow...just some quick thoughts. For a couple hundred bucks, there isn't a speaker that I'd rather own. It compares favorably with SDA's (better than the non-SRS versions....not better than my 2.3tl's). Better than the Dahlquist DQ-10 or 20. The 20's are a very very similar speaker, harder to find and more expensive.
If you are needing a great all-around speaker, get a pair.
BDT
If you aren't familiar with the Vandy's...google 'em. I'm not really going to go through the whole compliment on the mechanical side. Besides, I've not taken the socks off (which is a PITA) so what's underneath is really a moot point.
BLUF is that this is a hell of a speaker and a steal, relatively, on the used market.
That said, it's not perfect...but, keep in mind that the speaker that I'm using as a reference (Quad 988) is a LOT more expensive and a lot different in design. So, what will 3 to 4 franklins of Vandy buy you? A HELL of a lot.
You get bass extension, in SPADES. Time and phase coherence....I don't know that I've heard a more 'coherent' cone-based speaker. The ability to throw a soundstage that is not SDA-sized, but, I'd hate to live on the difference. Wide and deep without congestion at any volume. If you like Symphony...think Mahler...think Strauss...Bruckner. Big. Bombastic. You know where I'm going with this....I can't think of a speaker in it's price range (to include comparable SDA models) that can do symphony like the Vandys. This was a nice change of pace from the Quads that simply will not do the big scale of a full on symphony. In the WilliamTell Overature finale (TELARC SACD)...man, talk about blow your hair back. I'm reminded of the first time I heard it on "The Truth" (George's Carver rig). The bass wasn't as deep as the Carver's (whose is?) but, it was not skimpy and it was well defined.
Now, what doesn't it do? Well, not much, really. The one area that I can tell that I'm not listening to the Quads is the midrange. The Vandy's simply lack the air and delicateness of the Quads. Listening to Vince Guaraldi's piano on the Charlie Brown Christmas Album....it's all there, but there is just slight syrupy 'thickness' to the piano. Not unpleasant, mind you, but this is where ESL's in general and Quads in particular make thier money.
High end extension is excellent. FAR smoother than the Dahlquist DQ-10 (the closest think I can think of to the Vandy). I think as compared to the DQ-10, the same as the Quads, midrange air and detail is better. Everything else, not quite as good. The highs on the Vandy's are very smooth and non-fatiguing. Those familiar with the AR9's...similar. This is NOT a metal dome.
Anyhow...just some quick thoughts. For a couple hundred bucks, there isn't a speaker that I'd rather own. It compares favorably with SDA's (better than the non-SRS versions....not better than my 2.3tl's). Better than the Dahlquist DQ-10 or 20. The 20's are a very very similar speaker, harder to find and more expensive.
If you are needing a great all-around speaker, get a pair.
BDT
I plan for the future. - F1Nut
Post edited by TroyD on
Comments
-
I know an idiot that had 2 pair of these and let them both go, know he is looking for a pair of 3A signatures.
Great reviewDodd - Battery Preamp
Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
Outlaw ICBM - crossover
Beringher BFD - sub eq
Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!
"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..." -
Vandersteen is underrated and a used market bargain. I'd invest in another pair of those before another pair of SDA. It's one of the best time alignment arrays I've heard to date.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
-
The 3A Signature is an amazing speaker for about $2K used.
-
Nice write up Bro. I would love to hear them.
-
How efficient are they? Could I run some Vandy 2Ci's w/ a 15 wpc tube amp in a small room?
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
I dunno...15wpc at LOW volumes, perhaps. For the record, I've been running them on a Classe and....*gasp*...Carver amp. I haven't hooked them up to the Heaths....when I do, I'll let you know.
I'd forgotten how much I really like Carver amps. They don't have the bass weight/definition of the Classe...but it's a good listen all the same.
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
Bump...any other thoughts before I jump on a pair?
-
I had a chance to get a pair for 250.00 but we never got together. I told him I just really wanted to hear and look at them first and even maybe trade. I don't think he like the thought of a LOOKER.:frown:
I'll be more diligent next time some come up for sale locally. If they do.:redface:Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=1&oq=Vandersteen+2+Ci&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS422US423&q=vandersteen+2ci+speakers
Quite a few listings of good reports which I am sure you have found....sounds like to me if you have that tickle $250 not a bad deal
Good luck with your decision2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC
erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
