Vandersteen fans

[ylee]

I spent three hours comparing the Quatro Wood CT and the Magnepan 20.7. It was a hard decision, but I chose the Vandersteens. It was very nearly a split decision in my mind.

From what I recall, mine had its bass get better integrated and the sound become smoother and more natural. The overall tonal integration of all the drivers became excellent as the speakers broke in.

After four and a half years I LOVE my Quatro Wood CTs. I asked Richard Vandersteen in person when he planned to update the design. He said he is so happy with them that he doesn't have any plans right now to update them. He's been demoing them a lot at trade shows in the last couple years.

[SPaulC]

It was good to see that RV showed with the Quatros at CES this year...quite a vote of confidence. The Quatro definitely offers a lot of features and value compared to similarly priced competition.

Interesting that you considered the 20.1s. When I first heard the Vandersteen 5a years ago I felt they offered the best qualities of the planar sound in a more complete package with more percussive midbass and real extension into the lower bass region. The 11 band bass eq is a brilliant feature and the size/form factor and good looks allow them to integrate well in most rooms. Guess that’s why they stayed on my radar all these years.

[PlanarSpeakerFan]

I listened to the Vandersteen M5-HPA monoblocks and Quatro’s at Axpona this year. The combination sounded outstanding. I couldn’t imagine another pair of amps sounding better with the Quatro’s.

Ken

[ylee]

Originally Posted by PlanarSpeakerFan

I listened to the Vandersteen M5-HPA monoblocks and Quatro’s at Axpona this year. The combination sounded outstanding. I couldn’t imagine another pair of amps sounding better with the Quatro’s.

Ken

I heard them at my local dealer back in February when RV came to town. After a half hour of listening I decided to order them. I enjoyed them for a few hours more over a couple days as RV left the demo pair with my dealer for a couple weeks. Should take delivery of my order early June.

[SPaulC]

Thanks for the responses regarding Quatro CT break-in.

I did manage to hear the Quatro CT's after they had about 100 hours on them. They sounded great. The bass was very well integrated with the mid-bass and the overall cohesion of the drivers was excellent. A classical piece with very fast transitions from soft violin to loud horns and tympani showed just how well the Quatros handle dynamics and maintain their composure with large scale orchestral music. Regarding bass, the 11 band eq (<100HZ) on each speaker creates the best in-room bass I have heard. Overall a very impressive speaker, especially for the price. The Quatro CT's were being driven by a 200 watt Aesthetix Atlas amp/Linn pre-amp combination. The Atlas has a built in high-pass filter that was in use, in lieu of the Vandersteen high-pass filter.

And then just for fun.... I listened to the Vandersteen 7 MkII's driven by large VTL tube mono blocks. Out of my price range for sure, but very, very impressive.

[SPaulC]

I have recently ordered a pair of Vandersteen Quatros. After hearing them a year ago, I just have not heard anything as good for anywhere near the price. Time aligned, phase coherent, high-pass filter, built in sub woofer, 11 band bass equalizer and small footprint...a lot to engineering into a relatively compact package.

Unfortunately, I was not able to arrange an in-home trial-run but I believe the adjustable bass will allow them to work in my smallish dedicated room. Currently, I have small Maggies with a Pass Labs Integrated, so I will need a new pre-amp/amp in order to have zero-feedback amplification and accommodate the high-pass filter. I am attending AXPONA this weekend, so I plan to check out the Aesthetix, Ayre and hopefully the Vandersteen mono blocks.

Because of the room configuration and depending on the amp selection, I will end up with either a long (15') bi-wire cable run to the speakers or a long balanced interconnect to the amp (placed between the speakers).

I am looking forward to getting the system up and running and joining the Vandersteen family.

Any thoughts on pre-amps/amps and cable is welcome.

[JMD]

The Aesthetix Mimas integrated would be my first choice. With it's built in adjustable high pass crossover you eliminate the need for the Vandersteen HP-5 and the extra associated cables and cost. The fact that it is also a hybrid design is to me a bonus.

[ylee]

Originally Posted by SPaulC

I have recently ordered a pair of Vandersteen Quatros. After hearing them a year ago, I just have not heard anything as good for anywhere near the price. Time aligned, phase coherent, high-pass filter, built in sub woofer, 11 band bass equalizer and small footprint...a lot to engineering into a relatively compact package.

Unfortunately, I was not able to arrange an in-home trial-run but I believe the adjustable bass will allow them to work in my smallish dedicated room. Currently, I have small Maggies with a Pass Labs Integrated, so I will need a new pre-amp/amp in order to have zero-feedback amplification and accommodate the high-pass filter. I am attending AXPONA this weekend, so I plan to check out the Aesthetix, Ayre and hopefully the Vandersteen mono blocks.

Because of the room configuration and depending on the amp selection, I will end up with either a long (15') bi-wire cable run to the speakers or a long balanced interconnect to the amp (placed between the speakers).

I am looking forward to getting the system up and running and joining the Vandersteen family.

Any thoughts on pre-amps/amps and cable is welcome.

After listening to a demo conducted by Richard Vandersteen himself in February of last year, I took delivery of the Vandersteen M5-HPA monoblocs last November. It is in essence the perfect match Richard envisioned. I adore the sound and the power of this combination. Tonally rich, powerful, and detailed.

I'm running a tube preamp, the Rogue Audio RP-9. It seems tube preamps synergize well with the M5-HPA.

[SPaulC]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree that the Mimas is a great one-box solution (phono-stage is an option). I listened to both the Mimas (don't recall what speakers they were driving) and the Vandersteen M5-HPA monoblocs driving Quatros at AXPONA this year but for me it was impossible to get a feel for the amps under show conditions. I did talk to the folks with Aesthetix at the show and I am seriously considering the Aesthetix Atlas stereo amp and Calypso pre-amp. I will keep you posted.

[Formerly YB-2]

Auditioned a set of Quattro Wood CTs driven by an ARC Ref6/Ref75 combo not long ago and it was wonderful. Can't imagine not being happy with a pair.