My New Vandersteens

[MusicForDave]

I started on a journey to upgrade my system, likely to a last iteration.  First, from my Aurender N100H to an N10; next, from an Ayre QB-9 DSD to a QX-5 Twenty.  I then bulked up on Audioquest power, interconnects and speaker cables.  The next progression was to look at upgrading my Vandersteen  3A Signatures that I’d bought new many years ago and upgraded along the way - not that there’s anything wrong with them; they sound great.  That said, I wanted to experience what newer technologies and capabilities could do to enhance music playback.

I decided to audition offerings from other companies before making a decision:  Sonus Faber, Klipsch, Wilson, Focal, and others.  There were still things I liked about my 3’s that I thought sounded better than the other speakers.  So with Richard’s and others’ comments that Quatros sound much better than the 3’s, I listened to the Quatros.  I thought I had found my speaker, and planned to purchase the Quatros - I just needed to decide on a finish.  After much deliberation (and indecision) I made an appointment with my dealer to look and decide on a finish.  While there, my dealer talked me into listening to his Kentos.  OMG - what the Quatros do, the Kentos do better!  Micro details of vocals and instruments that just sound so real/right to my ears; ambient cues that really allow one to hear the recording space!  That day, I decided that the Kentos were going to be my next speakers, and, I had decided on the finish!  Through that process, I also determined that I would get the M5 amps, as well, to replace my Ayre V-5xe.

Well, everything arrived this week, and after installing dedicated power and Ethernet into my listening room (unused bedroom), then painting the room, I was finally able to start setting up today.

Let me just say that the packaging, shipping and product protection that Vandersteen provides is first-rate!  Second, the finish on the speakers absolutely  beautiful!

At this point, I have the speakers set up, still without the sub amp plugged in to fine tune placement.  So far, I’m very pleased with what I’m hearing!

Update:  I plugged the subs in this morning (untuned), and let me say that the coherence, top to bottom, is astounding!

Thanks, Richard and team, for bringing such fine products to market!

I’m enjoying listening to the Kentos and M5’s settle in, at which point, my dealer plans to come over to help me tune these speakers to my room.

Next up is to figure out how to stabilize the rack so I can set my turntable up - it was much more stable when it was on a slab!

[TomicTime]

Fantastic !,,,, sometimes a stretch really pays off - ) enjoy the music in good health…

jim

[Holmz]

2 hours ago, MusicForDave said:

Next up is to figure out how to stabilize the rack so I can set my turntable up - it was much more stable when it was on a slab.

If those wheels unscrew, then maybe you can put feet or spikes on it?

[MusicForDave]

Thanks Jim! I really think I’m really going to enjoy them.  I’m hearing details in my familiar music that I’ve not heard before; there’s a rightness to classical recordings that’s compelling.

Hi Holmz - I’d thought about that, as well.  The other feet I have are flat posts.  I might give those a shot.

[Delkat]

Is that the Kawazinga?  Look great!

[Zarf]

Congratulations!

I'm trying to imagine that Kentos presenting as an OMG level beyond the Quatros.  I do fully believe you, however. The Quatro is the top Vandersteen that I've heard, and the best speaker I've been exposed to personally. That's an excellent finish.  And I'd be happy to help the Ayre find a new home if it becomes available.   8^)

I'm interested in reading about the break in and the room tuning.  Cheers!

[stratocaster]

@MusicForDave congratulations on the Kento's!!  The finish looks gorgeous in pictures and can only imagine what it looks like in person. Enjoy...

[MusicForDave]

Hi Delkat - Yes, the finish is Kewazinga, and they they look fantastic!  As a side note, when we were on vacation a couple months ago, we went to an art show where a sculptor had pieces with woods like bubinga and tiger maple, with granite accents, that I thought might go well with the speaker finish.

Hi Zarf - OMG may be a little strong, as they are both excellent speakers, but to my ears in comparing the two, I found the Kentos to be more compelling in bringing me closer to the music - I’m glad I was able to afford them.  That said, if I had not been able to afford the Kentos, I would have purchased the Quatros, and would have been very happy very with them - they’re also a great speaker.  I plan to sell the Ayre soon, so I’ll PM you.  I also need to find a new home for my 3A Sigs . . . 
I’ll try to post more on break-in and tuning, but probably need to route that over to the set-up area.  As a start, though, initial set-up is 1/5th the width and 1/7th the length of my 12x14x9 room.  I’m now wrapping up my 3rd day of burn-in for the Kento’s, M5’s, and 2m Thunderbird interconnects.  I started playing with toe-in but the center image was getting a little thick, so I’m breaking in firing straight ahead.  So far, I’m enjoying tremendous detail with no apparent congestion of macro and micro details - every instrument has its space that can be easily discerned - things I used to lose in the mix are now readily visible.  Texture of instruments and vocals is more readily discernible.

Thanks Stratocaster, they really do look fantastic!

[ctsooner]

Congrats.  I wish I could afford the Kento's.  What a special speaker for under 80k.  I honestly have yet to hear a speaker under 100k come close to the Kento's when using Richard's M5 amps.  They are so special and anyone who's able to get them should audition them in their system.  I too love the finish.

[Sbank]

They're beautiful, @MusicForDave! Enjoy!!!

[MusicForDave]

Thanks Pete, I’m inclined to agree with your assessment.  I listened to well-known speakers costing over $100K played through Audio Research and D’agostino.  In a head-to-head, those might win on loudness and dynamics, I much prefer Vandersteen’s portrayal of the life of the performance and the space it was created in - that’s what helps me enjoy the music.  At one point, during the decision process, I was between the Quatro + M5 combo, and the Kento’s + my existing amp; I was counseled to go with the Kento’s.  It wasn’t but a few days after ordering the Kento’s that I told my dealer to add the M5’s - I did not want to give up anything from what I auditioned at the dealer.  I’m glad that I did that.

[MusicForDave]

Thanks Spencer.  I find that I keep looking at the speaker finish, as they are so striking - like a piece of art.  Vandersteen really does nice work!

[Zarf]

Interesting gallery, as well.

[Stringreen]

I too have Kawazinga finsh....just gorgeous.....I have 5A's with Ayre as well.....(Great minds et al)

[DividedSky]

Kawazinga Kentos!!  EPIC.  Congrats buddy that is really awesome.  Having gone from Quatro CTs to Kentos (both with M5 monoblocks), I can say that you made an amazing call- even if your eyes watered when writing the check.  You have many great days ahead. 

Once your placement is all set, I definitely recommend putting significant effort in to getting the best set up possible for your turntable.  Solid rack situation, isolation, best alignment, and adjustment of tonearm all pay dividends with the resolution provided by your new speakers and amps.  I have gotten amazing results with WallyTools for what that is worth.

Cheers, Frank 

Edited September 27 by DividedSky

[MusicForDave]

Thanks Frank!  Once you see the Kewaginga finish live, it’s hard to not like them.  The movement in the grain is striking.   I believe I saw that you have Kentos, as well.  What finish did you choose?

There were a couple times during the build process where I thought that maybe I should have stopped at the Quatros - they’re a great speaker and everyone loves them - but in the end, I’m glad that I stretched to the Kentos.

I’ve been burning them in all week, so I should be able to start playing with placement this weekend.

On the turntable, I’m most concerned about rack stability.  The rack was rock solid on concrete slab at the last house, but when I tried placing the TT on top this time, the rack was rocking front to back with the weight of the TT on top.  Once I solve that, I have the Fozgo, Feichert tools, and Best protracter to aid in setup.  I’ve heard good things about the Wally tools and may check them out.

Best,

Dave

[DividedSky]

My Kentos are automotive paint finish and the color is Ferrari Azure Blue.  They were demos at a Vandy dealer and since I was a Kento shopper on a Quatro budget, I had to jump on them. They are very pretty but I would probably have chosen a wood veneer if I had gotten to spec them. 

[MusicForDave]

I really like that color.  I was considering that or the Tungsten Silver, before gravitating toward the wood finishes.  Glad you were able to snap up the demos!  Getting this level of quality at a better price has got to be rewarding!

[ctsooner]

As most know, I did my Quatro's in Audi Havanna Black, which I LOVE. I even installed 4" LED spot lights above with 'outside' lighting.  The copper flake in them just pop!  That said, Richard's kid does such a great job on their veneer's, that I often wonder if I should have gotten Purple Heart (one of my favorites) with UV protection which keeps that deep purple color.  I probably would have sent them veneer stacks from my local source as he gets amazing veneers.  

Few speakers, even at these price points are finished as well.  

[TomicTime]

And cabinets made in California ! freaking cool manufacturing leadership

[Steve Edwards]

3 hours ago, TomicTime said:

And cabinets made in California ! freaking cool manufacturing leadership

By the Wizard of Hanford!!  

[bkeske]

@MusicForDave Freaking fantastic, congrats! I am sure you will enjoy them. Beauties.

[MusicForDave]

Thanks Brian!  I’d say that my biggest surprise is is just how much more I enjoy listening to Classical music on these speakers.  I’ve enjoyed going to live concerts, certainly, but recordings never held my attention the way they do now.  These speakers, and amps have a way of presenting the performance in the space that makes it more engaging.  I’m enjoying exploring composers that I knew by name, but not so much by their music.  That said, I’m also enjoying the other genres that I’ve been listening to for years.