This is so fantastic. I toured the Vandersteen facility with Richard. He then invited me to his house to listen to his home system. The level of integrity he puts into everything he makes is exceptional. What a legend!
I have two pair of the Vandersteen 2ce in my living room (setup in push/pull absolute phase). A conversation with Richard will take you months to process thereafter. He clarified some thoughts I had on (the ineffectiveness of) certain driver materials.
Everything he says makes a lot of sense and also matches with everything I've had in the back of my head for many years. The importance of the cabinet is often overlooked buy many speaker manufacturers in pursuit of aesthetics. The time matching of the drivers is just a given in his world, as it should be. His philosophy is just to do everything properly and you'll get good sound. That makes perfect sense to me
Unlike many in the audio business, Mr Vandersteen has a coherent logical explanation for his product that makes perfect sense. How refreshing! Good questions from Mr Harley, too.
Well put. I thankfully had a scientist with me when I visited his facility. 😂He went in deep explaining every aspect about materials and architecture and the science behind it. He did not have one piece of fluff about their products, it was all backed by science and subsequent testing, and performed on EVERY speaker leaving the factory.
I still enjoy my Vandersteen Model 2. I was attending USC and decided to purchase them to be setup in my home in Canada. The sound to my old ears is the same after all these years.
That was an impressive explanation of the design principles of the new Model Seven XTRM by Richard Vandersteen. Very sound design principles. Looking forward to your future review Robert.
This technology first appeared in the Vandersteen Kento models. I also believe that Richard Vandersteen and William E Low of Audioquest have a joint patent for the DBS system in Audioquest cables. Richard is a very brilliant man. I'm lucky that when Richard comes out with things, he usually get it first and we have a listening party. I have met him on two occasions and he is pleasure to talk to, very down to earth, but a very matter of fact man. Richard has been slowly having his kids take over positions with in his company so that he can have more free time to fly around in his plan and plot his exit. I would be surprise if he ever quits, but like Harry from VPI, he just might. He is one of the last great original thinkers in speaker design and audio in general.
That's for sure. I used to eat dinner with him at the Waldorf in New York. His speakers were always amazing. Especially for the price. One of the very few that sounded like real music and not hi fi. He started out in his garage. He is one of the legends in audio
The woofer cancelling has been done in Vivid Audio Giya reference speakers for over a decade and long before the Kento, FYR. I love the sound of Vandersteen's products but not the first WRT to bass cancelling.
@@sbonamoIt was done in Talon Audio speakers mainly the Khorus’s long before Vivid Audio etc as well. I’m a big fan of Vandersteen also and have met and talked to him many times, my brother owns the XTRM’s and they are truly incredible sounding speakers.
And I thought what I paid for my model 3As (from the lovey guys at Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica) in 2002 was extravagant. Bought immediately after my model 3s that made me feel like I'd died and gone to heaven.. Thank you Richard.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I love the svelte look for such a large sound and the fact that the acoustic lens/grill is integral to the design, so I don't have to look at the heinous drivers when I listen.
Because I love Mahler and because I'm broke and will never have money, I hereby present Mr. Vandersteen the award of giving (and shipping to Canada) me a free pair of these speakers, thank you and keep the applause down.. it's annoying me.
I am really looking forward to this review. I love my 2Ce Sigs! EXCEPT at lower levels...they do not come alive until upper mid volume. I wonder how these beauties fare on that account?
Although not upgradeable, except for the original owner, older Model Seven speakers are still a fantastic value, but a very rare find, as owners keep them.
I don't understand what you mean it is upgradable or it isn't? what's it got to do with the original owner? Surely he sells parts or just need to know the crossover dimensions and I can get the parts I'm sure there's probably pictures on the internet@@bradotoole7538
Nulls, not dips, can not be compensated for by equalization. I assume that very tight phase coherency is not totally important in the deep bass. The sub drivers on the side will be slightly behind in time alignment to the next driver up. They aren't way off because at 100 Hz a wave length is a bit over one foot.
1. Force cancelling bass drivers reduce cabinet resonances for the other drivers. 2. Any higher (midrange) distortion from the bass cone excursion is audibly reduced due to its directionality.
You are correct; the second tweeter is rear-firing and contributes only a very small amount of energy into the soundfield. You can see it in the rear-panel shot as the black fabric grille at the top of the rear panel.
To @dennisheadley4408: You definitely won't go wrong with the 2Ce. I enjoyed mine for 11 years until I traded in for the Energy Veritas and later the Maggie 1.6's which I'm still enjoying. I could see myself living with the Vandersteen 2ce's again, or the 3a's and calling it a day. They are definitely end game speakers!
There's a reason the Model 2's are the best selling high end speaker ever made. If you set them up properly and match them with good electronics, they can be your last speaker. They really are that good.
@@williamcampbell3868 Both have their advantages and disadvantages. But studio monitors are designed for max detail retrieval. That is why some people do not like them.
It's good to know that certain high end audio companies will be and have been passed on to their children by their founders. This is one of the things that can make the country great again by keeping them employed. The Government should follow these examples set by the American high end audio companies instead of sending our jobs and pay over seas! The plans of the politicians and the Maga crowd are going to be America's down fall.
@@Openeyesopenheart42 The politicians and Maga aren't going to save nothing! Besides this channel is about audio equipment and the appreciation of music, which brings people together!, Not ostracizing others. Nevermind political candidates!
@@williamcampbell3868 you denigrated Trump supporters because you thought you were going to get pats on the back… then start the bs line about music brings people together etc etc You started it sir, you then don’t get to change the rules of engagement because “feelings” Grow up . I think the democrats will be the USA’s downfall, the last four years have been hell.
@@Openeyesopenheart42 I got news for you pal. I'm been working and paying taxes probably longer than you been in existence. Drug free, college educated, with no criminal record. Me being a person of color, Maga hates me for being just that.Full of evil and demonic hatred, they do not believe in equality for all Americans, so don't give me that bs about pats on the back! The only way America can avoid its eminent and inevitable demise is for both parties to come together because one party cannot save it. Unfortunately this not going to happen! The wrath of the Lord is on this country because it never repented or corrected past sins and transgressions. You're going to have to make a critical decision. Do you want a president and America or Jesus and the Kingdom of the Lord. You can't have both because one is not going to exist. Then there will be reparations for those deserving of it
@@Openeyesopenheart42 I got news for you pal. Being a person of color, drug free and college educated, and no criminal record, maga hates me just for being who I am! They don't believe in equality for all Americans. I been working and paying taxes probably longer than you been in existence. Both political parties can't save America because of lying rhetoric, failed and policies, but mostly because of people who think like you! Don't mention BS!
I always put B&W at the top of 'The Ugliest' speaker list... Well, Vandersteen's is its replacement. My Wilson Audio Alexia V's not only look 100x's better... W/A has always sounded much nicer.
Didn't you catch the clip at 9:47? White socks have been exhaustively A/B compared to other colors and found to be consistently better sounding in end-user environments. Socks make a bigger difference then speaker cable. Everyone knows that.... ~Where have you been?
This is so fantastic. I toured the Vandersteen facility with Richard. He then invited me to his house to listen to his home system. The level of integrity he puts into everything he makes is exceptional. What a legend!
Amazing, thanks for sharing! What can you tell us about his home system?
I have two pair of the Vandersteen 2ce in my living room (setup in push/pull absolute phase).
A conversation with Richard will take you months to process thereafter.
He clarified some thoughts I had on (the ineffectiveness of) certain driver materials.
Everything he says makes a lot of sense and also matches with everything I've had in the back of my head for many years. The importance of the cabinet is often overlooked buy many speaker manufacturers in pursuit of aesthetics. The time matching of the drivers is just a given in his world, as it should be. His philosophy is just to do everything properly and you'll get good sound. That makes perfect sense to me
Ditto 👍
Unlike many in the audio business, Mr Vandersteen has a coherent logical explanation for his product that makes perfect sense. How refreshing! Good questions from Mr Harley, too.
Very interesting and Mr. Vandersteen just sounds honest. Very believable
Well put. I thankfully had a scientist with me when I visited his facility. 😂He went in deep explaining every aspect about materials and architecture and the science behind it. He did not have one piece of fluff about their products, it was all backed by science and subsequent testing, and performed on EVERY speaker leaving the factory.
Of the players at this level, he's clearly one of the most earnest, logical, savvy, and confident out there.
Always impressive.
I still enjoy my Vandersteen Model 2. I was attending USC and decided to purchase them to be setup in my home in Canada. The sound to my old ears is the same after all these years.
Vandersteen is a jewel of the industry, thank you!
Vandersteen is truly a legend!
Absolutely.
That was an impressive explanation of the design principles of the new Model Seven XTRM by Richard Vandersteen. Very sound design principles. Looking forward to your future review Robert.
Richard is a very interesting designer. He does not follow industry trends, nor copies anyone, at any level. Great video here 👍
Thanks for watching. Be sure to subscribe!
Stay well Richard, we need you!
This technology first appeared in the Vandersteen Kento models. I also believe that Richard Vandersteen and William E Low of Audioquest have a joint patent for the DBS system in Audioquest cables. Richard is a very brilliant man. I'm lucky that when Richard comes out with things, he usually get it first and we have a listening party.
I have met him on two occasions and he is pleasure to talk to, very down to earth, but a very matter of fact man. Richard has been slowly having his kids take over positions with in his company so that he can have more free time to fly around in his plan and plot his exit. I would be surprise if he ever quits, but like Harry from VPI, he just might. He is one of the last great original thinkers in speaker design and audio in general.
That's for sure. I used to eat dinner with him at the Waldorf in New York. His speakers were always amazing. Especially for the price. One of the very few that sounded like real music and not hi fi. He started out in his garage. He is one of the legends in audio
The woofer cancelling has been done in Vivid Audio Giya reference speakers for over a decade and long before the Kento, FYR. I love the sound of Vandersteen's products but not the first WRT to bass cancelling.
@@sbonamo Thank you, good info to know.
@@sbonamoIt was done in Talon Audio speakers mainly the Khorus’s long before Vivid Audio etc as well. I’m a big fan of Vandersteen also and have met and talked to him many times, my brother owns the XTRM’s and they are truly incredible sounding speakers.
Hi Robert
Thanks for demonstrating a sense of humour and for separating the socks and sandals!!!
Nice to hear all this from the builder.
And I thought what I paid for my model 3As (from the lovey guys at Optimal Enchantment in Santa Monica) in 2002 was extravagant. Bought immediately after my model 3s that made me feel like I'd died and gone to heaven.. Thank you Richard.
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I love the svelte look for such a large sound and the fact that the acoustic lens/grill is integral to the design, so I don't have to look at the heinous drivers when I listen.
Hi Tom I really really like being referred to as esteemed viewers( so much better that boys and girls)
Wow thank you for the master class TAS!
Really enjoyed this conversation; thanks.
Another great choice of interviewee!1
These are very nice speakers. I know several audiophiles that have owned these happily..
The best sound I ever heard was a pair of Sevens in Cherokee red with Aesthetix Audio as the front end.
Because I love Mahler and because I'm broke and will never have money, I hereby present Mr. Vandersteen the award of giving (and shipping to Canada) me a free pair of these speakers, thank you and keep the applause down.. it's annoying me.
Worthy try…
Thank you. I know it's not the best, but even an iPhone recording of some music would be significant for those watching these videos.
I had a pair of Vandersteen 5a’s for years, great speaker, sadly I had to sell them due to Covid lack of work 😢
Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you’ll acquire a replacement pair soon.
I am really looking forward to this review. I love my 2Ce Sigs! EXCEPT at lower levels...they do not come alive until upper mid volume. I wonder how these beauties fare on that account?
Always very interesting to listen to a master in its trade. Too bad the prices are so high these days..
His excellent sounding Models 1 and 2 are very affordable. You don't need a Treo, Quatro or Model Seven to have a good time.
9/15/23 we sent our check for subscription, hasn't cleared yet. WTH?
My dream speaker!!
How much does it cost to get the upgrade from the 7 to the xtrm? I saw some sevens going cheap tempted to buy
I believe an upgrade is only available to the original owner.
Although not upgradeable, except for the original owner, older Model Seven speakers are still a fantastic value, but a very rare find, as owners keep them.
I don't understand what you mean it is upgradable or it isn't? what's it got to do with the original owner? Surely he sells parts or just need to know the crossover dimensions and I can get the parts I'm sure there's probably pictures on the internet@@bradotoole7538
great speakers few can afford
Max 720p video ? this isn't 1998
Teledyne Acoustic Research AR9 2.0?
Nulls, not dips, can not be compensated for by equalization.
I assume that very tight phase coherency is not totally important in the deep bass. The sub drivers on the side will be slightly behind in time alignment to the next driver up. They aren't way off because at 100 Hz a wave length is a bit over one foot.
1. Force cancelling bass drivers reduce cabinet resonances for the other drivers.
2. Any higher (midrange) distortion from the bass cone excursion is audibly reduced due to its directionality.
I see you have those silly battery powered speaker cables 😄 Yes! free the electrons !
What do they make for about 10k?
Treo CT
Actually... there are two high frequency drivers & they are not made from the same material.
Oops!
You are correct; the second tweeter is rear-firing and contributes only a very small amount of energy into the soundfield. You can see it in the rear-panel shot as the black fabric grille at the top of the rear panel.
89k ? I think ill stay with my infinity kappas for now 😂
I'm sure they are great speakers, but the 2Ce is more in my price range.
I have 1s and 2s. Absolutely love these speakers.
To @dennisheadley4408: You definitely won't go wrong with the 2Ce. I enjoyed mine for 11 years until I traded in for the Energy Veritas and later the Maggie 1.6's which I'm still enjoying. I could see myself living with the Vandersteen 2ce's again, or the 3a's and calling it a day. They are definitely end game speakers!
There's a reason the Model 2's are the best selling high end speaker ever made. If you set them up properly and match them with good electronics, they can be your last speaker. They really are that good.
$89,300.00!! You can buy an active studio monitor for that.
It will never sound like a vandersteen and powered monitors sound terrible. You can drive everything but the bass with tubes on his speaker
Active studio monitors aren't necessarily better than non active speakers. They both have advantages and disadvantages over each other.
@@williamcampbell3868 Both have their advantages and disadvantages. But studio monitors are designed for max detail retrieval. That is why some people do not like them.
What does this comment mean?
Dec 2024 and they start at 150k, good grief.....
wtf is with Americans and shoes in the house
What's happening with this review?
Little short for $89k 😮
It's good to know that certain high end audio companies will be and have been passed on to their children by their founders. This is one of the things that can make the country great again by keeping them employed. The Government should follow these examples set by the American high end audio companies instead of sending our jobs and pay over seas! The plans of the politicians and the Maga crowd are going to be America's down fall.
Trump 2024.
@@Openeyesopenheart42 The politicians and Maga aren't going to save nothing! Besides this channel is about audio equipment and the appreciation of music, which brings people together!, Not ostracizing others. Nevermind political candidates!
@@williamcampbell3868 you denigrated Trump supporters because you thought you were going to get pats on the back… then start the bs line about music brings people together etc etc
You started it sir, you then don’t get to change the rules of engagement because “feelings”
Grow up .
I think the democrats will be the USA’s downfall, the last four years have been hell.
@@Openeyesopenheart42 I got news for you pal. I'm been working and paying taxes probably longer than you been in existence. Drug free, college educated, with no criminal record.
Me being a person of color, Maga hates me for being just that.Full of evil and demonic hatred, they do not believe in equality for all Americans, so don't give me that bs about pats on the back! The only way America can avoid its eminent and inevitable demise is for both parties to come together because one party cannot save it. Unfortunately this not going to happen! The wrath of the Lord is on this country because it never repented or corrected past sins and transgressions. You're going to have to make a critical decision. Do you want a president and America or Jesus and the Kingdom of the Lord. You can't have both because one is not going to exist. Then there will be reparations for those deserving of it
@@Openeyesopenheart42 I got news for you pal. Being a person of color, drug free and college educated, and no criminal record, maga hates me just for being who I am! They don't believe in equality for all Americans. I been working and paying taxes probably longer than you been in existence. Both political parties can't save America because of lying rhetoric, failed and policies, but mostly because of people who think like you! Don't mention BS!
I always put B&W at the top of 'The Ugliest' speaker list... Well, Vandersteen's is its replacement.
My Wilson Audio Alexia V's not only look 100x's better... W/A has always sounded much nicer.
Simply mediocre product from a has been.
Ditched the appalling sandals and white socks look, still thinks it’s ok to work in white socks and no shoes. Sloppy
Didn't you catch the clip at 9:47? White socks have been exhaustively A/B compared to other colors and found to be consistently better sounding in end-user environments. Socks make a bigger difference then speaker cable. Everyone knows that.... ~Where have you been?
But does it have to be so hideous? I get the cool tech and all, but have 0 interest in ever buying something so goddamn ugly.
You'd be surprised how many people love that shit