Vandersteen Audio

What Reviewers Are Saying...

• Richard,

  Purchased a pair of Treo CT from Barry in SF. Set them up last night and was completely shook.Being an executive in construction, owning the largest music school in Northern California, and being a pro-level (endorsed) drummer for 4 decades, my ears are developed. My musical proficiency and listening habits are full spectrum...music is a very serious passion to me.

  Every track I played last night was as if I had never heard the song before. The details in the mix that were never present to me before had me in a child-like state. I was a 2 year old and the world was brand new. Your speakers pulled an Allen Iverson crossover on me that I wasn't prepared for and still have me baffled and bewildered. I can't listen to more than 2-3 tracks at a time right now as I need time to come down from the full on heroin sonic high, and try to wrap my brain around what I have heard.

  Coming from the other side (musician), I can't truly put into words the level of thanks and admiration I have for you and your products, You have opened a door on my passion that I didn't know existed...somehow, Thank You isn't sufficient.

  Respectfully,

  David F.

  Follow up:

  Having the Treo CT's for several weeks, it is important for me to follow up with you. There are three specific items of importance that have floored me and it continues on a daily basis.

  1. Clarity: so many speakers have substantial issues when one driver is replicating two different tones. Normally, there is a third note produced. Add in multiple drivers/speakers and the problem becomes exponential. The first thing I told my wife "it's like there was a vacuum cleaner that sucked out all of the clutter and detritus that wasn't supposed to be there" I heard exactly what was recorded and no other false elements.

  2. Soundstage: this factor is multilayered to me. Having the speakers disappear is not only fantastic, it now makes me review who engineered and mixed a track or album. I can fully appreciate how important engineering and mixing really is and getting to hear their genius, love, and attention to detail. it's breathtaking.

  3. Levels: there have been countless tracks stored in my memory that have given me issues. Some elements coming in too hot in the mix or unsettled sections in the mix. I had chalked that up to the mixing engineer not referencing the track on different systems while performing critical listening sessions...taking notes and revising the mix. The same errors are noted on good headphones, every Lexus (w/ Mark Levinson) I've owned, good studio monitors and home stereo speakers. Oh, how I was wrong...crow tastes good now that I am forced to eat it every day I listen to the Treo CT's. The issue has been accurate level delivery.

  Each one of the preceding items are monumental challenges on their own to conquer and you have been able to figure them out and provide the truth at this price point...you are a god amongst insects. The high level of attention to detail has not been lost on me. This brings up something that has been bugging me.

  I know musicians...we use our ears first and foremost...while it appears that in the world of audiophiles, ears are subjective and NASA and other engineering devices know better on how a speaker will perform. I don't envy you being subjected to those soul stifling conversations. I can give you Vegas house odds on the response musicians will give you when they get a chance to listen to your speakers...exactly the same response I had and still have. It is too late this year for you to set up a booth at NAMM (don't know if you are aware of this yearly event in Anaheim)...I want others to have the "Holy Shit" moments that I have as they are soul moving and glorious...if this is something on your radar, I will work free of charge at your booth and wrangle in persons of interest to have listening sessions. 

  Whatever I can do to help further the cause, 

  Respectfully,

  David F.

  DF

• The Vandersteen Audio Model Seven XTRM is technically innovative, reflecting original thinking rather than following a “me-to” cones-in-a-box approach. It is the culmination of 47 years of continuous development that can trace its fundamental design principles to Vandersteen’s Model Two from 1977.

  Robert Harley