DeVore Gibbon X v. Vandersteen Quattro Wood CT w/Ayre AX5/20


My current system consists of Aerial Model 9s fed by an Ayre AX-5 Twenty integrated, a Lampizator Atlantic balanced plus dac, and a Mircorendu playing up sampled dsd 512. I have a nice sized room, 16'x24'x7.5'. Ceiling is a bit low.

I am looking to upgrade my speakers to something I can live with for 10 years or more. I tend to like speakers and gear described as natural and musical. I prefer a somewhat laid back presentation and prefer warm(ish) over ultradetailed. My current short list is  the Devore Gibbon X and the Vandy Quattro CT. I would like to spend about $15k, but could go as high as $20k if necessary.

 I spent a lot of time in the DeVore room at this past RMAF. I loved the Super 9s (but was not as wowed by the O93 and 96, which get rave reviews). John D told me that the Gibbon X is largely a better version of the Super 9 that will work better in a larger room such as mine. On a trip to NYC in April, I intend to audition the Xs at a shop in Manhattan.  I have heard the Vandys on multiple occasions at RMAF and will audition them soon at Audio Alternative in Fort Collins, Colo.

Even though I will get to audition both of these, it will be under very different circumstances than I have at home, smaller room, different electronics, etc. Thus, I am trying to get feedback from others who know these speakers.

I also have some interest in the Vandy 5a Carbon but wonder if my room is too small and my amp lacking enough power. I may also check out the Spatial x2.


Any iput will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

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Thanks for the helpful responses. Anyone have experience with both the Vandy and the DeVore?

Is the 5a carbon a no go with my room size?

With the Vandy, if I use the x-over instead of the high pass, do I insert the x-over between the integrated and the dac?

Thanks.


The AX-5 is an integrated amp. Vandersteen's external filter, applied between the pre-amp and amp, cannot be used with integrateds. You need Ayre to install an identically performing filter between the pre-amp and amp sections. They can also remove this for resale. It's not a big deal other than you have to send the amp to Ayre. There are probably dozens of Ayre integrateds that have been modified for use with Vandies. @ctsooner knows all about this, among others.
5a Carbon will work great in your room
i have 7 mk2 but had 5a for many years
guy i know fairly well has similar size room as you, 5a carbon and a REF75se...... sweet sonics....for sure...

i have heard the Devore but only under what i would term ( my words! ) poor show conditions.

i believe Don Better in Cleveland carries both Vandersteen and Devore, Don has keen ear, professional musician in Cleveland who runs audio shop also. I know he had 7 at one time. He might be a solid opinion to gather between what i would say are two VERY different sonic approaches.

enjoy and have fun !!!!!
I've heard both and prefer the Vandersteen. However I prefer the O series Devore to the Gibbon.
two VERY different sonic approaches.
I've never heard a DeVore but they consistently receive positive reviews. But, yeah, Richard Vandersteen and John DeVore are near polar opposites regarding their approach to speaker design!