Speaker Asylum

General speaker questions for audio and home theater.

Return to Speaker Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Vandersteen 2CE Signature III speakers -- any opinjions?

107.207.107.77
Posted on January 16, 2022 at 04:55:10
pbarach
Audiophile

Posts: 3503
Location: Ohio
Joined: June 22, 2008
 I'm considering the purchase of a pair of these speakers, but some reviews of the Sig II models and the somewhat similarly constructed Model 3A complain that the sweet spot is very narrow.

If anyone has had experience with the 2CE or 3A speakers, what did you find?

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
RE: Vandersteen 2CE Signature III speakers -- any opinjions?, posted on January 16, 2022 at 08:08:41
Sondek
Audiophile

Posts: 10403
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 I lived with a pair of 2Ci for almost twelve years, and then another eight with a pair of 3A Sigs.

I sure don't recall them having a narrow sweet spot. Based on my twenty years experience with Vandys, I'm not sure how you could go wrong with them.

If I hadn't drunk ESL koolaid I'd probably still be listening to some model of Vandersteen.

 

RE: Vandersteen 2CE Signature III speakers -- any opinjions?, posted on January 16, 2022 at 09:45:20
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4691
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 I can't speak to the 2CE - But the 2Ci was a reference speaker for many years -
Dynamic, clear, no obvious gaps (in the crossover), Non-fatiguing, Really enjoyable-
Happy Listening

 

RE: Vandersteen 2CE Signature III speakers -- any opinjions?, posted on January 17, 2022 at 04:00:48
Paul Wilson
Reviewer

Posts: 104
Location: Southeast USA
Joined: October 7, 2014
 Back in about 2010 or so, I had a pair of 2CE, Sig 2's and as I recall, I was not totally dissatisfied by them. I did find them somewhat difficult to position to provide a reasonably accurate image presentation. Of course, that could certainly have been the fault of the room. Conversely, I may have been a victim of the very concerns you have. I eventually moved on to better speakers.

Perhaps, however, your concern over imaging is worth some further investigation. It is generally accepted that open back and rear firing speakers negate a large soundstage. Rear firing and open back speakers can, depending on the design, cause significant issues with timing information. The secondary, rear firing signal never seems to reconcile with the primary and causes an out of phase effect and timing issues. And because imaging is depended on the accuracy of timing, this may be the reason why some reviews have made the claims about imaging they have, and your reason for concern.

Richard Vandersteen is a brilliant designer who I'm sure understands all of these issues. Current model 2CE, Signature III claims to be phase and timing correct. Physics being physics, it may, however, be difficult to overcome what nature mandates. I would suggest a live demo, if possible, paying particular attention to off axis imaging. Try moving the speakers around to see how the imaging changes. It might also be a good idea to choose this type of speaker design only if you have a fairly large room and can position them well away from side and front walls. It might also be a good idea, if necessary, to plan for some type of room treatments to help manage reflections. I would also suggest the importance of accepting the fact that while one speaker performs one way in an environment other than yours, what you find may be significantly different when they are in your listening space. Rooms always matter and no two rooms will sound exactly the same.

Please note that I am not intending to be critical of the 2CE's. My viewpoints are general and what can occur with open back speakers. Others who have responded to your query enjoyed them. This is a speaker that has also been hugely popular with significant sales for many years now. My experience with them is mixed. I did replace them after only a year or so. Speakers are a very personal thing. What one person likes, another may dislike. Some like Chevys. Others prefer Fords. The issues I described are issues that can occur. How much that matters is really up to the individual listener. As such, only you can decide if you like this type of speaker design or not and how they interact with your own space. Further investigation is recommended if this purchase is one you will be living with for a long time.

Best of luck in your search!



 

RE: Vandersteen 2CE Signature III speakers -- any opinjions?, posted on January 17, 2022 at 04:35:51
pbarach
Audiophile

Posts: 3503
Location: Ohio
Joined: June 22, 2008
 Thanks for writing this, Paul! No, I definitely wouldn't buy speakers without hearing them in person. But because the nearest Vandersteen dealer is 170 miles away, I wanted to ask about the "sweet spot" issue before taking the drive. And since my room is only 13 x 15, maybe the 2CE is the wrong speaker for me.

 

Vandersteen 2ce is not an example of the open back speaker you talk about, posted on January 17, 2022 at 09:22:04
Edp
Audiophile

Posts: 4719
Joined: September 23, 1999
 Not certain why you caution about open back speaker in reference to Vandersteen as they only have a rear firing bass coupler (I believe that is how they reference that driver)



 

I love the koolaid, posted on January 17, 2022 at 10:50:52
jimbill
Audiophile

Posts: 3141
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004
 Just got a new flavor a few months ago.

 

RE: Vandersteen 2CE Signature III speakers -- any opinjions?, posted on January 17, 2022 at 10:58:22
stereo5
Audiophile

Posts: 1370
Location: New England
Joined: June 22, 2008
 I owned both the 2Ci and 2Ce sig in 2 different systems and they both threw a terrific soundstage with a sweet spot for 2 people to enjoy. My only complaint over the years was that they were a little dull on top.


"I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the
most of us...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."


 

Two things about Vandersteens, posted on January 18, 2022 at 09:40:18
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6792
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 I owned three pair, although earlier models many years ago. But living with those plus hearing later models at my local dealer taught me two things.

First, they reward with careful room set up. This means out away from the front wall plus no obstructions close on either side. I suspect any narrow "sweet spot" is the result of lack of breathing room around the cabinets.

Second, I believe the most common complaint about Vandersteen models is they may be perceived as "a little dull on top". I believe that is either a function of associated electronics or preferences by the listener. I always found them to be musically natural on top without any false brightness. What does one look for?

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

RE: Vandersteen 2CE Signature III speakers -- any opinjions?, posted on January 21, 2022 at 11:50:10
Craiger56
Audiophile

Posts: 5699
Location: San Jose CA
Joined: April 3, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 29, 2003



My own experience with 2Ce Signature and then 3A Signature's is the inverse. We have two couches facing each other and a chair in the center, it doesn't matter one bit if we're on a couch or in the chair.
I find the 3A immensely listenable and having listened carefully to other speakers at shows that clearly outperformed them would be a huge expense, specifically the Wood Quatro's and the Model 7.
I doubt we ever replace them but if we did a fuller sound at low, to very low volume's like good (large) horn speakers would be our goal.

 

RE: Vandersteen 2CE Signature III speakers -- any opinjions?, posted on January 26, 2022 at 08:44:56
yage
Audiophile

Posts: 115
Joined: November 16, 2001
 I had a pair of 3A Sigs for almost a decade and can confirm that the sweet spot is narrow. That's not to say that if you veer outside of it the speakers sound terrible, but you'll probably notice tonal balance shifts if you move to a different listening position or go from sitting to standing.

If you want a speaker to sound more consistent from seat to seat, look for models that have smooth off-axis frequency response in addition to smooth and flat on-axis response.

 

Currently on my second pair of Model 2's, posted on January 26, 2022 at 11:21:01
padreken
Audiophile

Posts: 8547
Location: San Diego
Joined: November 28, 2000
 2ce Signature II currently, my first pair was the 2ce Sig. When I'm sitting on the loveseat that is my primary listening chair, the soundstage will be a little more focused and high frequencies more evident/detailed. It's nothing I would call really dramatic, though-mine are in a large room that opens up the dining room/kitchen area (with the speakers adjacent to the open area) and they sound pretty good (albeit in the background) when I'm in the kitchen.

Just about any speaker sounds better in one sweet spot in a given room, even those with wide off axis dispersion. I've always found the narrow sweet criticism leveled at Vandersteen (or Thiel, Spica, etc.) to be somewhat overblown and that their many virtues make any drawbacks negligible. I haven't heard the sig III, been meaning to give them a listen. The last time I was down at my local dealer (Stereo Unlimited in San Diego) I was chatting with owner Bruce about them and he was pretty impressed with them.

Now, for a REALLY narrow sweet spot, listen to a pair of Sanders Sound electrostatics. Magic, as long as keep your head in a vise!




 

Thanks for the responses, posted on January 26, 2022 at 12:13:00
pbarach
Audiophile

Posts: 3503
Location: Ohio
Joined: June 22, 2008
 Based on what I've read, I'm not going to consider Vandersteen at this time, given that it's a 170-mile drive to a store where I can actually hear them.

 

RE: Vandersteen 2CE Signature III speakers -- any opinjions?, posted on February 1, 2022 at 04:43:37
fantja
Audiophile

Posts: 16011
Location: Alabama
Joined: September 11, 2010
 I concur. No narrow Sweet-spot observed on these 2 models via Vandersteen. The 3A signature offers a wider soundstage in a proper room.

 

RE: Vandersteen 2CE Signature III speakers -- any opinjions?, posted on February 1, 2022 at 05:37:57
pbarach
Audiophile

Posts: 3503
Location: Ohio
Joined: June 22, 2008
 Mixed opinions here about whether the Vandersteens have a narrow sweet spot.

 

RE: Vandersteen 2CE Signature III speakers -- any opinjions?, posted on February 5, 2022 at 17:41:45
drumzncarz
Audiophile

Posts: 21
Location: Fl
Joined: September 26, 2008
 I have owned 2 Pairs of 2CE one original & one Signature and also Model 5's the 2's threw a nice array of sound . I since moved and am between speakers. I would truly buy another pair of Sigs in a heartbeat ! You owe it to yourself to listen to them they are quite wonderful musical & warm.

 

Page processed in 0.033 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]