Vandy 5A's are up and running :-)

zybar · « **on:** 28 Dec 2006, 12:05 am »

Well, I finally was able to get the 5A's into the main system today. A big thanks goes to Tyler and Alex who were able to come over and help me get them off their custom pallets and into place.

At this point I am going to refrain from comments and comparisons to the Salk HT3's as I have haven't even begun to get the 5A's properly setup. Alex and Tyler, feel free to post any thoughts or comments if you like.

I will say that the Bird's Eye Maple finish on the 5A's is outstanding and the few pictuures below don't do them justice.

Since I don't have to go back to work till next Tuesday, I hope to spend many hours between now and then getting the speakers dialed in.

Here are a few pics (I'll post more in gallery over the next few days):

Here is a picture of the 5A's on their pallets:

Here is a picture of the 5A's from the side:

Here is a picture from my listening position:

George

jermmd · « **Reply #1 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 12:15 am »

Nice. Bird's eye maple is one of my favorite finishes. Are the 5A's smaller than the HT3's?
I'm going to try and get over there for a listen.

shokunin · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 12:21 am »

Niiice!!! I think the Vandy's will help you in your 100hz on down in regards to the Bolder analog-out SB2 vs. TacT. The TacT would probably one of the best tools you could use to help dial in the 11 bad eq on each speaker.

nature boy · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 12:36 am »

George,

Vandersteen 5A's VERY, VERY NICE. The birdseye maple was a good choice. The speakers will need about 100-150 hours for the big subwoofs and other drives to break in, until then they will sound somewhat incoherent. I would wait until this time elapses before dialing in the subwoofers.

The Moscode 401HR and Vandersteen 5A's are both in my dream system, so someday. Cheers and enjoy your new system.

NB

zybar · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 01:02 am »

Quote from: nature boy on 28 Dec 2006, 12:36 am

George,

Vandersteen 5A's VERY, VERY NICE. The birdseye maple was a good choice. The speakers will need about 100-150 hours for the big subwoofs and other drives to break in, until then they will sound somewhat incoherent. I would wait until this time elapses before dialing in the subwoofers.

The Moscode 401HR and Vandersteen 5A's are both in my dream system, so someday. Cheers and enjoy your new system.

NB

I purchased the 5A's from a friend so they were already broken in. They haven't been used for about 5 weeks or so, but I am not sure if any break-in will be needed for that.

They certainly didn't sound incoherent this afternoon.

George

yo2tup · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 01:07 am »

beautiful! looks very nice in your room

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 01:13 am »

If you find the Vandersteens to be much better than the Salks you probably won't have trouble unloading those nasty ol' HT3!

arthurs · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 01:30 am »

Really beautiful George, keep us posted....glad you finally got them in.

TF1216 · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 02:36 am »

Tyler here,

jermmd asked if the Vandy's were bigger and the HT3's. With the grills on the Vandy's, they are bigger than the HT3's. With the grills off, they are not. I think the base of the Vandy's may be slightly bigger though.

From the 30 minutes Alex and I had with the Vandersteen's, I can tell you that I really enjoyed what I was hearing. I left George's feeling that I just heard a very FUN speaker.

zybar · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 02:41 am »

Vandy 5A's - 44" high, 14" wide, 20" deep, plus spikes.

Salk HT3's - 40" high, 12" wide, 15" deep, plus plinths and spikes.

George

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 02:43 am »

Do the grills much up the sound? They look so cool without them.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 02:43 am »

Congratulations on a fine purchase, George!!!

zybar · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 02:47 am »

Quote from: Rob Babcock on 28 Dec 2006, 02:43 am

Do the grills much up the sound? They look so cool without them.

You are actually supposed to listen with the grills on, unlike most speakers.

I do agree that they look cool with them off though.

George

zybar · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 02:48 am »

Quote from: mcrespo71 on 28 Dec 2006, 02:43 am

Congratulations on a fine purchase, George!!!

Thank you Doctor.

George

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 02:54 am »

From time to time I've heard of speakers supposedly voiced to be played with the grills on, but I'll confess to having a hard time understanding how a layer of fabric could ever improve things.

I imagine you've tried them both ways, though...

PeteG · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 02:56 am »

The bird's eye maple looks great on the 5A's. Nice score George

.
Let us know how the bass turns out.

Pete

Marbles · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 02:56 am »

Congratulations on getting the new speakers set up George.

You must be getting as close as your room will allow to get the sound you are wanting. ENJOY!!!

Rob

mr_bill · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 03:07 am »

One of my favorite speakers!! And the birds eye looks great.
I heard these a few years ago in Mpls. and they delivered a big coherent, natural sound.
Truly a reference speaker.

nature boy · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 03:35 am »

Quote

I purchased the 5A's from a friend so they were already broken in. They haven't been used for about 5 weeks or so, but I am not sure if any break-in will be needed for that.

They certainly didn't sound incoherent this afternoon. Rock!

George

My bad, I thought these were a new pair. They shouldn't need any break in time, so ENJOY away. Congrats again on getting those nice Vandy's

NB

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 Dec 2006, 03:42 am »

Hey George......Glad you got them up.....they look good !!!

So.....how hard can you "push them" ? Got a SLM ?

Enjoy........

Chris