The SongTowers and the Vandy 2CE Sigs are fine speakers, and compete against one another quite evenly, in my opinion. Before I go on, its worth noting that I only have experience with the 2CE Signature... not the version 2 (which I hear is a lot more like the 3A Sigs)
I'd summarize it like this; Both speakers should have zero problems sounding good on your current electronics. The Vandersteens will require more attention to room placement than the SongTowers - which are easier to set-up (and function well against wall boundaries).
When I owned the 2CE Sigs, I found them to excel at two different genres of music: rock and roll (unusual for a high end speaker), and jazz. It's not to say that they couldn't play classical, electronica, or more mainstream music to satisfaction, its just that I found them to be particularly adept with the aforementioned styles. Compared to the SongTower, the 2CE Sigs are a bit less refined and noticably less coherent throughout the frequency range. Then again, the 2CE Signature weren't exactly designed for linear 'neutrality'. It's a colored speaker, and proudly so. The advantage the Vandersteen's will have over the Songtowers is: Deeper bass extension with much greater heft "down low", A bit more edge and bite to the treble - giving instruments in particular a bit more realistic sense of timbre, superior power handling (although the SongTower's are no slouch), and with careful positioning - they can deliver a wider sound-stage.
The SongTower's are all about balancing trade offs. To my ears, their biggest asset, aside from a wonderfully open and detailed midrange, is how the speakers masterfully integrate the highs, the mids, and the lows. Everything tends to speak with one voice on the SongTowers. With the 2CE Signatures, I could always hear a distinct separation between each range. I also find the SongTower's to be more versatile in terms of delivering a good musical experience, regardless of the type of music being played through them. Although I'd pick the 2CE's in a heartbeat if I primarily listened to Led Zep, CCR, Santana, The Beatles, etc.. the reverse is true when it comes to Chopin, Malher, Paganni, Dj Tiesto, Incubus, Linkin Park, etc.. The advantage I feel that the SongTowers have over the Vandersteens is: greater resolution, refinement / balance, better versatility in terms of component matching, room positioning, and encompassing a wide variety of music, midrange performance, and build quality/looks (no contest on the last one - in my opinion).
It's funny you should narrow your choices between these two, as they are among my favorite towers under the $2000 price range, right on up there with the Magnepan 1.6 and the Totem Acoustic Sttaf. In this company, there is no right or wrong choice. Hopefully this helped you to reach a firm idea on where you want to take things. On a parting note: I have never personally dealt with Richard Vandersteen or anyone in his company. However, I have met and have spoken with Jim Salk and find him to be a down to earth class act! I'd have no problems sending him my green.
