Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Vandersteen Audio Quatro Speakers by rkeman

Model:	Quatro
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$6500/pr
Description:	Based on the 3A Signature, + powered subs
Manufacturer URL:	Vandersteen Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by rkeman on December 13, 2007 at 20:41:58
IP Address: 70.118.224.27 Add Your Review
for the Quatro

The Vandersteen Quattro is a four-way loudspeaker incorporating a powered subwoofer in a slim attractive enclosure. The speaker is intended to provide the performance of the Vandersteen 3A Signature loudspeakers and a pair of powered subwoofers in a more cost effective pair of speakers. First order crossovers and staggered drivers are used to provide phase coherent response as in all Vandersteen designs.

Unpacking and positioning these 110 lb. speakers can be daunting. The drivers are directly behind the fabric sock and the top 18" of the front cannot be handled if damage is to be avoided. Three spiked feet allow for precise adjustment of speaker tilt and anchor the cabinet firmly to the floor. The powered subwoofer has a standard IEC input and offers a volume and low frequency contour controls and an eleven band equalizer. An external line level crossover (balanced or single ended) is required and must be purchased in addition to the speakers. Dual terminal strip binding posts require spade connectors and biwiring is recommended. The owner's manual fully explains the installation procedures and is clear and concise.

Installing the high pass filter. positioning the speakers, setting the degree of tilt and adjusting the subwoofer took several hours and a fair amount of fine tuning. Eleven bands of bass equalization cannot be set well by ear even by an experienced listener! Vandersteen recommends that the dealer provide these services for customer; however, it would also seem reasonable for Vandersteen to include a basic sound meter and task disc with the Quattro for the motivated enthusiast interested in ringing the last ounce of performance from the speakers. Both the internal test system in a Velodyne SMS-1 bass equalizer and Radio Shack analog sound meter/Stryke's Basszone Test Disc were used and produced good results in my listening room.

If all this appears to be more complicated than usual, it is only because Vandersteen has thoughtfully approached the problem of obtaining excellent sound in the typical domestic environment and provided the means of achieving that result. The vast majority of the competition doesn't even try to do this and it shows in too many home listening environments.

So how does the Quattro sound after all this effort and expense? In a word, suberb! Imaging is three dimensional and quite realistic. Not in the least exaggerated, the midrange and treble are smooth and revealing. The midbass is punchy and clean, not lean nor overripe. The upper bass dip in response reported in Stereophile is not present in my room with optimized placement and bass tuning. Perhaps this is an artifact of their listening room? The low bass is extended and clean as would be expected with integrated powered subwoofers. Piano, vocals, orchestra, pop, rock - it doesn't seem to matter - whatever is on the recording is what listener gets with the Quattro.

Compared to the excellent 3A Signature, the Quattro wins hands down in the low bass and seems to throw a deeper and more detailed image on well recorded material. Is the Quattro worth the much greater expense? Ultimately, only you can be the judge, but it is clear that the price of the Quattro buys a world-class loudspeaker. Seek out your Vandersteen dealer and have a listen, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Product Weakness:	Careful set up is required.
Product Strengths:	World-class sound in a relatively compact enclosure with built-in powered subwoofers.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Theta Dreadnaught
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Theta Casablanca
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Cambridge 840C, Sony BDP-300, digital cable
Speakers: Vandersteen Quattro and VSM-1s, custom subwoofers with Velodyne SMS-1
Cables/Interconnects: DIY Belden and Canare, Speltz Anti-Cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Pop, rock, classical
Room Size (LxWxH): 23 x 17 x 12
Room Comments/Treatments: DIY Acoustic Panels and normal furnishings
Time Period/Length of Audition: Two weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Brick Wall Surge Protector
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Theta Dreadnaught
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Theta Casablanca
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Cambridge 840C, Sony BDP-300, digital cable
Speakers:	Vandersteen Quattro and VSM-1s, custom subwoofers with Velodyne SMS-1
Cables/Interconnects:	DIY Belden and Canare, Speltz Anti-Cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Pop, rock, classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	23 x 17 x 12
Room Comments/Treatments:	DIY Acoustic Panels and normal furnishings
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Two weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Brick Wall Surge Protector
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner