Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I have owned a pair of Quatros for a little over a year, used in a 13.5' x 16' home theater (along with Vandersteen center and side surround speakers). The expense was very substantial and I had to save for a long time to afford them. However, I have never regretted the purchase decision. I auditioned many speakers over a period of months before deciding on the Vandy's including Paradigm Signature S8, B&W 700 and 800 series, Martin Logan, and others, with each audition consisting of 2-3 hours' listening.

It is common wisdom that Vandersteen gives you more for your money, and I do believe that to be true. These speakers reproduce music beatuifully and with tremendous detail and realism. They can keep up with very demanding dynamics (it probably doesn't hurt that they're being driven with a 200 watt Krell amplifier) and the bass extension is very deep. And of course, they have the legendary Vandersteen pinpoint soundstaging.

The most important thing I can say about these speakers is that they have rekindled my joy of music. I buy way more music than I used to and spend lots of time just listening to music.

If I HAD to think of a shortcoming it might be that these speakers, unassisted by an additional subwoofer, may stop a little short of reproducing very sharp bass transients. Basically this means very loud kick drum in rock & roll, bass drum in hip hop, or explosions in movies. Let me be clear-They reproduce true musical bass (acoustic stand-up bass or double-bass, very low organ notes) with remarkable clarity and detail and not just boom. It's just that they don't necessarily supply, in music that has very loud, sharp bass transients, the phenomenon that led Dr. Dre to write "the track hits your eardrum like a slug to your chest."

Quick note: This is for the standard Quatros (not the "wood"). I didn't audition the woods. I DID have a brief (20-30min) listen to the 5As alongside the Quatros and honestly didn't feel there was a tremendous difference.

Happy listening!

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Advanced Audio

Summary:
Me again. Same thing, in Tacoma on business and had an extended audition. Same impression, plus. Just when I thought I was in music nirvana, Curtis put on some vinyl. A classical piece on a Reader's Digest recording from the 60's. A garage sale find. My jaw dropped. This is as close to a live orchestra as I've heard through an audio system. We have season tickets to the local symphony so I'm used to what an orchestra sounds like. Not sure what the table was, Lyra cartridge I think, Ayre electronics. Vinyl fans owe themselves a listen. Glorious on CD, magic on vinyl. Music either way. If you are in the area, stop in and ask Curtis to play the Masakela and bring your favorite record.

Strengths:
Expansive image, seamless response, firm low, smooth on top, impressive dynamics.

Weaknesses:
I still can't afford it yet. But I will find a way.

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Advanced Audio

Summary:
Finally had a chance to hear the Quattro's at Advanced Audio in Tacoma while on business-nice and knowledgable guys by the way. Glorious. Small step from 5A's also on display. Not as pretty as 5A's but more attractive and smaller visual presentation than photos suggest. Made me light headed and short of breath due to emotion evoked on very familiar piece of music. Various cuts from a variety of discs made me laugh, tear up, tap my toes and shake my head in wonder. My next speaker-will eventually replace my 2 CE's-first brand repeat in my years of speaker switching.

Strengths:
Gets the music right. Emotionally satisfying. Go hear and add your own superlatives. Try to find something else in the price range that competes musically.

Weaknesses:
I heard through great ancillary equipment-Linn Unidisc, VTL pre and monoblocks-would lesser equipment do them justice? Many will still find the cap and sock Vandersteen look unattractive.

Similar Products Used:
I travel extensively for work and try to take opportunities to hear stuff. Have missed only a few "must auditions" in the speaker world from big names to small manufacturers. These are the real deal.