VANDERSTEEN ONE CHANGE OVER TIME

[ghamilton]

I have and use a pair of Vandersteen one speakers. Mine are the B that I got from "AUDIO ADVICE" in Raleigh NC in 1990. They still continue to amaze me. They very easily reveal any change made in the system wheather big or small. The oldest model one that I know of used a "SEAS" polymer dome tweeter and crossed over at 3Khz Hz with a 6db slope. The photo shows a different looking woofer than is used now.

The next version used the "VIFA" fabric dome tweeter and a different woofer and crossed over at 2.8 KHz with a 6db slope.

The next version was the 1C and used the "VIFA" metal dome tweeter with the little grill to reduce the hot spot from the metal dome. It looks like the same woofer and is still crossed over at 2.8 KHz with 6db slope.

Now the 1Ci which is the newest at the time of this post seems to have only changed the binding post hook-ups. The tweeter may be different but it at least looks the same.
There are probably other changes that are not visible so any additions from you reading this are welcome.

 

[onwardjames]

I have the Vandy 2C's that resemble that final pic. Lordy, what a speaker.

Thanks for sharing these most interesting changes.

 

[ghamilton]

Mine is the photo in the center. It's just before they went to the metal tweeter. It is so sweet and intimate. Great for a mid to small sized room. If you get everything right they are lovely.

 

[onwardjames]

you know, ghamilton, I had to reassess what "Good Sound" really meant after I first got mine home and dialed in.

A bit fussy on placement, and certainly want more watts than many people have, but damn, the results are astonishing.

 

[ghamilton]

The model one does not need the power that the two needs to make it open up. The bottom end on the one will impress if the right cables are used along with good equipment.

 

[jjohnson]

I have owned both the 1C and 2Ci. They are both great speakers. The model 1 is much less fussy with placement and doesn't need a ton of power to sound good. In a small to mid-sized room, I preferred it to the Model 2. However, in a larger room, with quality electronics and a bit of power, the Model 2 is tough to beat.

 

[Audiofreak71]

I have the 2ce signature's and the above posts are correct, once dialed in they are absolutely sublime and the more clean power you give them the better they sound. Also some of the tightest controlled bass I have ever experienced in a speaker, people who come over for a listen always ask if my sub is on lol.

Everytime I try and find an excuse to replace them, I listen to them and just can't, there that good. I have heard better speakers but at significantly higher prices, imo for the money Vandersteens are hard to beat.

 

[ghamilton]

I agree.

 

[ghamilton]

The model one in the first photo I believe used this tweeter or one of it's look-alikes.
http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/1_dome_h107.pdf
The second one (which is the one I have) used this one I believe.
http://www.tymphany.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Discontinued-Vifa-Products-D26TG-05-06.pdf
SPECIAL NOTE FOR THIS TWEETER: At the time of this posting you can still get the replacement soft dome/voice coil that will fit both soft dome and metal dome versions of the Vifa tweeter.
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c...eak-voice-coil-600058-for-d27tg35-or-d27tg45/
The model 1C tweeter was this one.
http://www.tymphany.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Discontinued-Vifa-Products-D25AG-05-06.pdf
The 1Ci tweeter is a mystery as of this posting.

 

[Happytalk]

The model one does not need the power that the two needs to make it open up. The bottom end on the one will impress if the right cables are used along with good equipment.

I agree. Curious what you've powered them with and what cables worked for you. They perform well in my second system with an old onkyo integrated and homemade speaker cables (th "HD-14" Home Depot 14awg extension chord). Just looking for some affordable upgrades.

 

[ghamilton]

The cable I use is no longer made. If your looking for a bargin this should be better than what you use.
https://www.amazon.com/Monster-XP-C...&sr=1-24&keywords=Monster+CABLE+Speaker+Cable

 

[Audiofreak71]

I know alot of people including myself don't fall into the hype of speaker cables and bi wiring, however with Vandersteens they were designed to be bi wired as per Richard Vandersteen who told me to my face as well as in his writings about his speakers. I have tried them non bi wired and bi wired just to see if it was hype despite his recommendations and to my surprise there was a noticeable difference for the better in sound once bi wired. Everyone hears different so if you try it you may not notice a difference or you may notice a big difference, just thought I would share my experience.

Audiofreak71

 

[hjames]

I know alot of people including myself don't fall into the hype of speaker cables and bi wiring, however with Vandersteens they were designed to be bi wired as per Richard Vandersteen who told me to my face as well as in his writings about his speakers. I have tried them non bi wired and bi wired just to see if it was hype despite his recommendations and to my surprise there was a noticeable difference for the better in sound once bi wired. Everyone hears different so if you try it you may not notice a difference or you may notice a big difference, just thought I would share my experience.

Audiofreak71

Yep, found a pair of MIT terminators on DC CL for a decent fee -
made a diff with the Vandy 2CEs and the B&K st202+ I had ...

 

[ghamilton]

The model one is NOT made to be Biwired. The two and above are. Just to be clear.....

 

[Audiofreak71]

The model one is NOT made to be Biwired. The two and above are. Just to be clear.....

True you are correct I was referring to the model 2's.

 

[ghamilton]

From Richard Vandersteen on the 1Ci.
Greg,
Thanks. The Model 1Ci has a custom ScanSpeak ceramic coated tweeter and custom ScanSpeak woofer along with parts upgrades in the crossover. All of our fabric wrap speakers have evolved internally like the Porsche 911 but remain the same externally.

RV

 

[mixn4him]

The model one in the first photo I believe used this tweeter or one of it's look-alikes.
http://www.seas.no/images/stories/vintage/pdfdataheet/1_dome_h107.pdf
The second one (which is the one I have) used this one I believe.
http://www.tymphany.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Discontinued-Vifa-Products-D26TG-05-06.pdf
SPECIAL NOTE FOR THIS TWEETER: At the time of this posting you can still get the replacement soft dome/voice coil that will fit both soft dome and metal dome versions of the Vifa tweeter.
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c...eak-voice-coil-600058-for-d27tg35-or-d27tg45/
The model 1C tweeter was this one.
http://www.tymphany.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Discontinued-Vifa-Products-D25AG-05-06.pdf
The 1Ci tweeter is a mystery as of this posting.

I just replaced my metal domes with the above softdome SCANSpeak and it was well worth it. I also have removed all the dowels and top. Yes its ugly but man they sound sooooo much better.

 

[onwardjames]

I just replaced my metal domes with the above softdome SCANSpeak and it was well worth it. I also have removed all the dowels and top. Yes its ugly but man they sound sooooo much better.

I would like to hear more about this. Did you simply replace, or did you alter the crossover?? What model Vandy are you using??

I have 2C's that I really like, but I have upgrade-itis.

 

[ghamilton]

I just replaced my metal domes with the above softdome SCANSpeak and it was well worth it. I also have removed all the dowels and top. Yes its ugly but man they sound sooooo much better.

What soft dome scanspeak did you use? Can you give a link?

 

[StimpyWan]

What soft dome scanspeak did you use? Can you give a link?

I believe the post was referring to this soft dome diaphragm. It's backwards compatible to most Vifa domes. Even the metal domes.

Scanspeak