I'm About to Buy A Vandersteen Quatro

[kfr01]

A few months ago I spent some time at a local hifi dealer listening to the Audio Research DAC-8. I liked the DAC-8, but the Vandersteen 5A Carbon playing the music stole the show in a much larger room than my listening room.

As I thought about buying some powered subwoofers with room EQ, I started thinking: Vandersteen has a sealed and powered and 11-band EQ'd subwoofers in some of the Vandersteen models.

Talking about this with the dealer, the size of my room, and my listening habits, he suggested that I come in for an audition of the Vandersteen Quatro.

The Quatros are super analytical and seem to have a tiny listening window.

I love it.

I brought a mix-CD for the listening session. A pretty wide range of stuff: Wagner, Melody Gardot, Keane, Lionel Richie, ... Metallica.

Ok, their analytical nature butchered the Metallica.

Look, these aren't perfect speakers. Perfect speakers for $10k don't exist.

They suit my current listening habits. What I want right now is hyper-resolution for well recorded music. Sorry Metallica, but most of your stuff is horribly recorded. As the classical-thread guys know, I like searching for the best recording of any given piece.

Anyway, I'm think I'm going to buy these things.

[jfray]

kfr01,

I dont think you can go wrong with Vanersteen speakers!! Are you just ready for a change?

Sent from iPhone

[kfr01]

Well, my musical tastes have changed. When I built my current speakers about 6 years ago, I was just getting into classical music and jazz. Most of my listening was metal or alt. rock. My speakers are fairly flat to 30hz, but are ported, warm, and a bit bloomy. This was great for rock, but I'm going for speed and resolution given my new habits (75% is classical). The Vandersteens blew me away for classical. I think the excellent time domain performance of the Vandersteens help resolve a certain 'live' sound and help approximate the experience of going to the symphony (something I have been doing more of lately).

Josh, by the way, the same dealer had the SF Futuras on the showroom. They are the most beautiful speakers I have ever seen. I didn't listen to them (wife would kill me if I would spend $30k on speakers), but the dealer said they sound as good as they look. Congrats regarding your upgrade! :-)

[chessman]

Karl, a buddy of mine swears by ARC and Quatros.

[kfr01]

Yeah, I'm kinda lusting after ARC as well... I think I dreamt about an ARC Ref. 5 preamp + a McIntosh MC452 last night.

[jfray]

Originally Posted by kfr01

Yeah, I'm kinda lusting after ARC as well... I think I dreamt about an ARC Ref. 5 preamp + a McIntosh MC452 last night.

That would sound incredible!! Why not a McIntosh Preamp also?

[jfray]

Originally Posted by kfr01

Well, my musical tastes have changed. When I built my current speakers about 6 years ago, I was just getting into classical music and jazz. Most of my listening was metal or alt. rock. My speakers are fairly flat to 30hz, but are ported, warm, and a bit bloomy. This was great for rock, but I'm going for speed and resolution given my new habits (75% is classical). The Vandersteens blew me away for classical. I think the excellent time domain performance of the Vandersteens help resolve a certain 'live' sound and help approximate the experience of going to the symphony (something I have been doing more of lately).

Josh, by the way, the same dealer had the SF Futuras on the showroom. They are the most beautiful speakers I have ever seen. I didn't listen to them (wife would kill me if I would spend $30k on speakers), but the dealer said they sound as good as they look. Congrats regarding your upgrade! :-)

Karl,

Thanks..... I am so happy with the Futuras, words can not describe them. They look so nice, I have decided to upgrade my room!!

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by jfray

Karl,

Thanks..... I am so happy with the Futuras, words can not describe them. They look so nice, I have decided to upgrade my room!!

[DesW]

Hi, Hmmmm--Personally I prefer the 5A's--more normal room environment friendly?

YVMV

Des

[bradleyc]

Originally Posted by kfr01

Sorry Metallica, but most of your stuff is horribly recorded. As the classical-thread guys know, I like searching for the best recording of any given piece.

Your search for the best sounding Metallica ends here