John Atkinson's thoughts on the New Vandersteen System Nine from LA Show

erik,

I can understand your view.

And  I tend to find JA's reviews less descriptive, leaving me less of a sense of what a speaker sounds like.  He will tend to talk in terms of frequency response etc, whereas Michael Fremer will paint a subjective picture of the sound.  Fremer's descriptions have proven very accurate to my ears, over the years.

At the same time, I've found JA has a very keen ear, and to the extent he describes any problematical issues he hears it's often bang on. 

I actually think JA is something of a treasure in the high end world, in terms of the scope of what he has contributed.  Stereophile's measurements have been a gold mine of info.

Prof, I agree with everything you have said.  We all have favorite reviewers or maybe some hate all reviews.  JA does indeed have a keen ear and although he will find all the good things a piece will do, he won't wax poetic unless he loves a piece.  I believe that he owns Vandersteen 7's for his personal listening as many reviewers do.  I found that out AFTER I became a lover of their sound.  In the 90's, I always wanted a pair of Avalon's, lol.  Loved the cabinet and the sound. I never realized they were also a first order cross over and time and phase correct.  I felt Jim Theil's speakers could be a bit bright back then, but loved what they did.  We've really had some great designers and still do.  There's a new crop of them coming along.  

I do feel the if a speaker doesn't measure well, it usually doesn't sound good either.  I've noticed a ton of the top end speakers tipping the treble up a db to three to sound more 'open' and 'alive', but for me it shuts me down as it's irritating.  Some folks put their list of 'audition' speakers together by the measurements shared before going to listen.  It's not 100% maybe, but it's pretty close I bet.  

Spot on post in my humble opinion Prof. Thanks.

@ctsooner

That is what I call the "Stereophile" curve, or speakers for the hearing impaired. JA also did a hatchet job on the Crystal minissimo, with aspersions not in evidence.

He's just not someone I trust.

Best,

E

erik,

What exactly is the "stereophile curve?"

ctsooner described a rising treble in many speakers and you seem to attribute this to JA, yet I regularly read JA criticizing speakers for non-linearity in the high frequencies, particularly peaks or a rising treble.

Yes, that's not a curve at all.  It's just some designers who, turn up the brightness control like LCD TV's in Best Buy to have them stand out.  These speakers are 'loved' by many, but are not what you hear at live music events.  That's fine if that's what folks want, just like Vandersteen's are fine for me, because that's what I want.  

I don't see how JA has anything to do with how a speaker measures.  I also say measuring isn't a be all end all and there are always a few exceptions to the rule.  

Heck, I can live with the Audio Note speakers and their knock offs.  They remind me of great FM music.  Can listen all day and love listening.  That said, to ME, they don't have a sound stage that many high end speakers have. They aren't as dynamic or tight as many others, but man are they fun.  I feel that I've chosen a speaker that does ALL of that.  

I do want to hear about the 'curve', but in regards to what Richfield posted about the system 9, I can't wait to hear it.  If I could ever afford them and they really do sound like Richfield says they do (I'm good friends with him and know what he likes and what he LOVES),  I will really want a pair that shows only the carbon fiber with clear coats on it (yes, I asked once and they WILL do that if folks really want that).