Organization: Penn State University
Date: Friday, 10 Apr 1992 12:56:46 EDT
From: <MSC109@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.audio
Subject: Re: Vandersteen recommendations....

The two recent postings on the net about Vandersteens are pretty accurate.
I own the last revision of the 2ci, and have been very happy with them. I
haven't heard the 2ce or 3 (I am anxious!), so I can't comment on them.

One comment I would like to add is that I have heard quite of few *strange*
reports from a few people that stated that they went to a Vandy dealer and
auditioned the 2ci and said "It doesn't have enough bass." I was shell-
shocked when I heard this.  They were either deaf to what is really *deep*
bass, or the dealer was using a wimpy amp (either too low a power or a tube
amp-not bass kings) or the setup was wrong.  I drive my pair with a Belles
150 (100 wpc, hi-current) and I get deep, deep bass. They won't play this
wild stuff at high levels, but within their power limits they do very well.
Setup is one key.  If they are too far from walls, the woofer in the rear
of the cabinet won't be heard, and bass will suffer.  Also, there are a few
nodes in my listening room, where the bass is *totally* lacking.  So if
you audition them and are not satisfied with the bass, either move, get a
heftier amp, or buy an 18" powered sub and blow out your eardrums!

As the other poster mentions, they are unfailingly musical. Every improve-
ment I make in my front end makes them sound better. However, the changes
do not seem as drastic as with some brands, i.e., Thiels.  They are open,
and image well *if* set up right...this does take some fiddling, but can
be done. The imaging, however, is not quite as holographic as the Spica
Angelus, but is pretty good for the price range.

I also echo the comment that the treble is not that transparent. Here, the
Thiel CS1.2 (is this dicontinued? Replaced by the "SCS"?) can be much better
than the 2ci, if *good* equipment is used. Thiels are noted for their very
revealing nature as well as excellent transparency. The tough thing is to
get good enough front end stuff to let them really shine, i.e., better than
Adcom, etc. The same is true for Vandersteens, but to a lesser extent.

So, if you are contemplating purchasing a pair of 2ces, I would audition (at
least) the comparable models from Thiel, Magnepan, and Spica, to name just
a few. The first real 'listening adventure' I went on, I listened to the CS1.2s
and then the 2cis. For my tastes the 2cis are excellent. I also respect these
other speakers very much, and have had great fun listening to each one. So go
listen, and the differences will be apparent. Then choose which one fits you
(at the $1200 price range, each speaker has its compromises) and enjoy.

I also might mention that at the $2000 price range, the new Thiel CS2.2 is
supposed to be awesome. You could compare these directly to Vandersteen 3s.

And for customer support, one of my 2cis was damaged in shipping. The next
day, the dealer arranged a three-way conference call with Richard Vandersteen
(the owner of the company) and the problem was righted immediately.

Have fun!

Mathew Cooper
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