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Vandersteen 2Ce's are often matched against Magnepan 1.6's when folks are considering upgrading.
However looking on the used market, the MG1.6's (which retail for $1700) often bring anywhere from $1000-1500 on the used market whereas the Vandys (which retail for apprx $1500) are going for $400-700. Less than half.I know this doesn't mean anything and is quite pointless, in fact the Vandys 'are' a good speaker (I had the origingal 2's and thought they were superb) but for those who 'roll' speakers may want to keep this in mind.
"Live life as if you'll die tomorrow... -Gandhi
Learn life as if you'll live forever..."
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Ce were cheaper and more appropriate comparison would be MG12. Also I can not remember seing Ce for less than $700.
Ce Signature go for approximately the same as 1.6.
I'm actually surprised to hear that. when I was deciding on my 1st pair of 'audiophile' speakers it was between the Maggies and the Vandy's...took me almost 6 months of AB testing before I went with the 1.6's. No regrets here whatsoever!Jon
Both are quality products. Richard Vandersteen and Jim Winey are both pioneers in the field of loudspeaker design and have remained true to their original design goals.
I've owned two pairs of Vandys (2Cis and 1Bs) and am on my third pair of Maggies (SMGas, MMGs and now 1.6s) and feel both have their strengths.
Henry
I have my Vandersteen 2s as the front channels in my HT and my MG 1.6s for my stereo. Love 'em both.
Except I have the 2Ci's. When I bought the Vandy's I was contemplating the Maggie 2.5R. I remember distinctly thinking at the time I could easily live with either. Fast forward 10 years and I bought the 1.6's for my main system, and moved the Vandy's upstairs to the home theatre. Works great for me. I love 'em both. BTW, my 2Ci's look and sound as they did when new. What a deal!
I wonder if there's a component of wear expectation built into this depreciation?Dynamic drivers get tired over time, especially their suspensions. I have a pair of Vandersteen 3's from 1992 that I use in a non-critical role (home theatre). They are a shadow of their former selves.
I wonder what the relative sales are in the retail market between Vandersteen vs. Magnepan? I've always thought Vandersteen outsold Maggies, but maybe there's more pent-up demand for Maggies than the dealers can supply?
Anyway, it's an interesting observation. In the used automobile market, % depreciation after 4 years is a pretty good indicator of consumer demand. I'd think the same thing would be true in this market.
the original price for the 1.6's in 1998 were somewhere in the neighborhood of $1400.... $1400!10 years later and to still being able to get a big chunk of that back is quite amazing..IMO
"Live life as if you'll die tomorrow... -Gandhi
Learn life as if you'll live forever..."
You probably haven't had your Magnepans very long.
And still going strong. No delaminations or mysterious sounds.Mine are actively bi-amped, and I don't spare the volume control. I'm very happy with the durability of Maggies!
1.6 for $1K is hard to beat.....
I paid $1200 for my Maggie 1.6's in January of 2006. They were manufactured in May 2005 so I suspect they were barely broken in. They appeared to be in mint condition so I feel I got a bargain.
Almost like having your speakers for free. But if you sold them, what would you replace them with???
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