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Vandersteens, PSB or something else?

I’m looking to upgrade my speakers and would appreciate some input. My system includes ayre amp, aesthetix calypso preamp, and vandy 2c sig IIs. The room is relatively large at 23’ wide (speakers on this side) by 27’. I would like speakers that are good at both music and home theatre. I plan to run HT pass through and 5.1 overall. For music, I listen to a lot of classic rock, blues and jazz. Not too much classical. I do enjoy live Dead and Allman Brothers. I’d like the speakers to image well and present a nice soundstage but also really draw me in emotionally to the music. For home theater, I’d like to be able to include a center channel and get a decent theater experience. The vandies, really no complaints, they have served me very well. But I have budget to take the next step and was thinking maybe the Treos. But once I make this next step, I would not be making any moves for a while, so wanted to explore other alternatives as well. The PSB Imagine T3’s seem to have been reviewed well and may be worth a test. My budget would allow for these, and I guess I could possibly go up to the quatro for the right deal. Any other ideas that, given my musical preference, room, budget could be worth a shot? I have to admit, sometimes I do wonder if the live recordings that I’m listening too would really benefit from a big upgrade to the speakers.

sb_caribou
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liamowen
70 posts
 
My recommendation would be to stay away from current PSB speakers, especially the T3's.  After reading glowing reviews of the T3's, I thought I had the solution to upgrading my PSB Stratus Gold i's.  When I went to hear them, I eagerly anticipated the PSB house sound, only upgraded to current times.  What I got was a listening session that lasted all of 10 minutes because the speakers sounded like crap.  Now, crap, like pornography is kind of hard to define.  But, we all know it when we see it, or hear it on audio gear.  Now I know a lot of techies will be asking about room size, treatments, gear to drive the speakers, humidity and barometric pressure.

What I can tell you is that my jaw dropped in utter disappointment as I really, really wanted to like these speakers.  I looked at the sales rep and said "these speakers sound like crap."  His response?  "I know; they do."  I then said to him "How on earth do you expect to ever sell a pair of these?"  He then told me "We are hoping that somebody buys them from just reading the TAS review."

The "experts" couldn't get these speakers to sound good in their own listening room.  How, then, do you think you could get them to sound good in your home?

Process of elimination is a tough way to go, but that, combined with some informed insight and listening, will get you to where you want to go.

As always, trust your ears.
roberjerman
2,086 posts
 
Thumbs up to the Quatro's - a quality upgrade from a quality line of speakers!
austinbob
198 posts
 
Head scratch on dissing the PSBs. Pretty universal praise from reviewers and audio shows, virtually all praising its value. Relatively easy to drive, matching center and surrounds. Seems well worth the audition. Vandersteens are fine speakers, especially for two channel but don’t think their designer expected them to be applied to home theater. My two
cents. 
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,645 posts
 
I actually think with a room that size, and considering home theatre application, you’re better of going with speakers that are more "filling" and have wider dispersion. Ohm speakers should sound great in that room or a brand with di-pole design with plenty of room behind it should work well too. Magnepans give a real nice and deep soundstage but have a very narrow sweet spot.
don_1's avatar
don_1
94 posts
 
I'm a Maggie lover so that is my recommendation.  You will love them and become addicted to their sound.  I would get a used pair or new ($2,000),of the 1.7i's not a lot of $ and you can see if you like them.  I use mine for HT as well. I have the 1.7i's up front , with the CC3 center, MMG's as side surrounds and MC1's as rear surrounds. It sounds incredible without direction from any one speaker, just surrounded by the sound. You need a nice amp with power for these puppies, which sounds like you already have that Ayre amp. I power the 1.7is with the Bryston 6bsst. Or you can purchase The MMGs for up front which will give you the Maggie sound for only $650 from Magnepan with a 30 or 60 day return policy. You cant beat that! go to their web site. You could use them as side surrounds or return them and buy the 1.7i's or 3.7is, if u have the cash. you wont be disappointed!!!
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