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!
@falstaff_the_genuine9 ай бұрын
Amazing, thanks for sharing! What can you tell us about his home system?
@thomosburn87409 ай бұрын
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.
@EskWIRED11 ай бұрын
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
@danieljones858710 ай бұрын
Ditto 👍
@lmff62011 ай бұрын
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.
@maurice440711 ай бұрын
Very interesting and Mr. Vandersteen just sounds honest. Very believable
@tictocbang744310 ай бұрын
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.
@glenncurry304111 ай бұрын
Vandersteen is truly a legend!
@TheTASmagazine11 ай бұрын
Absolutely.
@FOH366311 ай бұрын
Of the players at this level, he's clearly one of the most earnest, logical, savvy, and confident out there. Always impressive.
@MilGrip7611 ай бұрын
Richard is a very interesting designer. He does not follow industry trends, nor copies anyone, at any level. Great video here 👍
@TheTASmagazine11 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching. Be sure to subscribe!
@word2RG11 ай бұрын
Vandersteen is a jewel of the industry, thank you!
@melbguy111 ай бұрын
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.
@sidvicious312911 ай бұрын
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.
@jm_121411 ай бұрын
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
@sbonamo11 ай бұрын
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.
@sidvicious312911 ай бұрын
@@sbonamo Thank you, good info to know.
@Audiofreak7111 ай бұрын
@@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.
@cerp38429 ай бұрын
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.
@jerrybdlben23111 ай бұрын
Hi Robert Thanks for demonstrating a sense of humour and for separating the socks and sandals!!!
@scottcleland916311 ай бұрын
Stay well Richard, we need you!
@adsph11 ай бұрын
Nice to hear all this from the builder.
@PaulBremmer-i7t2 ай бұрын
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.
@Nick28422 ай бұрын
Hi Tom I really really like being referred to as esteemed viewers( so much better that boys and girls)
@kvan463110 ай бұрын
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.
@barney6888Ай бұрын
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.
@TheTASmagazineАй бұрын
Worthy try…
@gtrguyinaz11 ай бұрын
These are very nice speakers. I know several audiophiles that have owned these happily..
@mattkozink74888 ай бұрын
Really enjoyed this conversation; thanks.
@user-ex9zm7bg3x10 ай бұрын
Wow thank you for the master class TAS!
@jeffkalina772711 ай бұрын
Another great choice of interviewee!1
@rvaillant11 ай бұрын
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.
@SuperMcgenius11 ай бұрын
I had a pair of Vandersteen 5a’s for years, great speaker, sadly I had to sell them due to Covid lack of work 😢
@a.s.242610 ай бұрын
Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you’ll acquire a replacement pair soon.
@henritero44911 ай бұрын
My dream speaker!!
@arte2arquiteto10 ай бұрын
The best sound I ever heard was a pair of Sevens in Cherokee red with Aesthetix Audio as the front end.
@peronnikbeijer21311 ай бұрын
Always very interesting to listen to a master in its trade. Too bad the prices are so high these days..
@thomosburn87409 ай бұрын
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.
@kerryfarrell27879 ай бұрын
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?
@davebarrow995410 ай бұрын
9/15/23 we sent our check for subscription, hasn't cleared yet. WTH?
@carmelovillena617411 ай бұрын
great speakers few can afford
@iamspyvspy307710 ай бұрын
Max 720p video ? this isn't 1998
@jedi-mic11 ай бұрын
How much does it cost to get the upgrade from the 7 to the xtrm? I saw some sevens going cheap tempted to buy
@michaeldoyle500111 ай бұрын
I believe an upgrade is only available to the original owner.
@bradotoole753810 ай бұрын
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.
@jedi-mic10 ай бұрын
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
@nobelstone971410 ай бұрын
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.
@n.lyndley.988926 күн бұрын
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.
@saint656311 ай бұрын
Actually... there are two high frequency drivers & they are not made from the same material. Oops!
@RobertHarley-dk1th11 ай бұрын
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.
@markfischer362611 ай бұрын
Teledyne Acoustic Research AR9 2.0?
@MichelLinschoten10 ай бұрын
89k ? I think ill stay with my infinity kappas for now 😂
@JohnMoog-ug6bk11 ай бұрын
What do they make for about 10k?
@nowlistenherehifi11 ай бұрын
Treo CT
@linandy12 ай бұрын
I see you have those silly battery powered speaker cables 😄 Yes! free the electrons !
@dennisheadley440811 ай бұрын
I'm sure they are great speakers, but the 2Ce is more in my price range.
@mikes12111 ай бұрын
I have 1s and 2s. Absolutely love these speakers.
@williamcampbell386811 ай бұрын
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!
@AT-wl9yq7 ай бұрын
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.
@matldn269711 ай бұрын
$89,300.00!! You can buy an active studio monitor for that.
@jm_121411 ай бұрын
It will never sound like a vandersteen and powered monitors sound terrible. You can drive everything but the bass with tubes on his speaker
@williamcampbell386811 ай бұрын
Active studio monitors aren't necessarily better than non active speakers. They both have advantages and disadvantages over each other.
@matldn269711 ай бұрын
@@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.
@a.s.242610 ай бұрын
What does this comment mean?
@kerryfarrell27876 ай бұрын
What's happening with this review?
@dragonaudio254911 ай бұрын
wtf is with Americans and shoes in the house
@DavidSusiloUnscripted2 ай бұрын
Simply mediocre product from a has been.
@CarlVanDoren6111 ай бұрын
Little short for $89k 😮
@williamcampbell386811 ай бұрын
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.
@Openeyesopenheart42Ай бұрын
Trump 2024.
@williamcampbell3868Ай бұрын
@@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!
@Openeyesopenheart42Ай бұрын
@@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.
@williamcampbell3868Ай бұрын
@@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
@williamcampbell3868Ай бұрын
@@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!
@stateniland11 ай бұрын
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.
@a.c.949511 ай бұрын
Ditched the appalling sandals and white socks look, still thinks it’s ok to work in white socks and no shoes. Sloppy
@hificonspiracy11 ай бұрын
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?
@sutorcs10 ай бұрын
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.