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Vandersteen 2ci used. Good speaker/bargain?

I've found a pair of Vandy 2ci just a couple hours from where I live. I'm interested in upgrading my speakers (bottom of the line Spica SC-30...a great budget speaker)but I'm on a serious budget. I have an NAD C340 intregrated amp and in a year or so will probably upgrade that as well. What do you folks think of the Vandy 2ci, made around 10 to 12 yrs ago, I believe. I probably can't put speakers any further away from the wall then 18 in to 2 ft. Room is about 14' by 16, with a cathedral ceiling (overall, very oddly shaped). I listen to jazz vocalists primarily--the Dianna Kralls, Stacy Kents--plus light jazz intrumentals. Also about what price should I pay for a pair in very good condition (stands are included). I probably can upgrade to something more expensive (presumably meaning, much better) in about 3 years, but in the meantime, I wonder if these might fill the bill.
bmatth3790
newfane
8 posts
 
if possible(won't cost that much more) try to go to the 2ce's. a much better speaker for only $100 to $200 more. in the long term it will be worth it.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
The Vandy's sensitivity is only 82db or so. The NAD may get them to moderate levels in a smallish room but check your Alice in Chains CDs at the door.
sherriehyder
1 posts
 
Owning a pair of these, I would have to say that Viridian might be mistaken, these have a sensitivity of 88db@1 meter, sound pretty good on 35 watts tube per channel. You have not mentioned price of speakers but I am quite pleased with mine.
unsound
6,115 posts
 
Very good speaker/ better bargain. I am not familiar with your NAD integrated. Please keep in mind that the Vandersteens drop to 4 Ohms and really benefit from bi-wiring. While the Vandersteens are rather forgiving of electronics make sure your amp is up to the task at hand. Vandersteen recommends a minimum of 40 watts (8 ohm). Your room may be a bit small for the bass these speakers are capable of. I have heard many Vandersteen 2's in many different rooms and IMHO, room and placement are serious considerations for these speakers.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I would say that Sherriehyder has made the mistake of taking the manufacturers spec as gospel. Although Vandersteen's published spec is 88db sensitivity several lab tests,including those at Stereophile and HFN&RR, have correctly identified the anechoic sensitivity at 1W, 1M, the standard measurement, at 82.5db. This is quite low but mitigated somewhat by the very smooth impedance curve as mentioned by Unsound. When I owned the 2CEs, excellent speakers I might add, my experience with the speakers was that they needed quite a bit of juice as stated in my earler post.
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