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General speaker questions for audio and home theater.

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Re: audio note vs vandersteen

Posted by laikadog on June 17, 2005 at 16:09:19:
Well..I hate to say it, but what's "better"? Those are two pretty different speakers, likely with very different presentations. I usually don't chime in on the "which is better" posts, but I have had the Vandersteen 1c and now have the Audio Note ANE-SPX, so I do have at least a passing familiarity with the general sound from these two speakers. A lot will depend on your sonic preferences. To overly generalize, I would say the Vandys give a somewhat polite presentation, while the AN will be have a more dynamic presentation.
The Vandys were not a great match for my room and couldn't live up to their full potential as I had to place them too close to the back wall. Also, I though the sweet spot was too small. They did sound good with vintage tubes similar to those you're running. I had them with a Scott tubed pre and an unmodified ST-70. Very pleasing presentation with nice warmth and surprisingly full bass, but ultimately a bit too laid back for my preferences. Obviously a lot of folks really like the Vandersteen sound and a used pair of 1b's should be a great value.
I have no idea what the AZ-3 costs and have to admit I haven't heard it and it's a different animal that the ANE-SPX, but there are some similar general characteristics. That being said, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to place the speakers near the back walls or in corners, the AN will probalby work out much better. For me, the increased sensitivity was a big plus as I was looking for a much more dynamic speaker. The AN is a good all-rounder. Jazz, rock, classical..it's all good!
Anyway, that's my 2 cents and you can guess what I would choose if I were in your shoes, but I'm not. So, if you can do what RGA suggests and listen to both and see how they match up with your personal preferences. Good luck.