Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This subwoofer is most notable for its ability to blend seamlessly with the main speakers. I suppose it helps that my main speakers happen to be Vandersteen 2Ce Signatures but I think it'sprimarily the unusual crossed-over connnection from the main amp that helps meld the sound together so gracefully.

The addition of the 2Wq gave my system the bass detail and dynamics that was lacking and seemed to liberate the 2Ce's to do what they do best. Drums and upright bass are more present and palpable now without anything extra being added. The 2Wq responds quickly and actually adds detail in the bass rather than smearing it out as some home theater subwoofers will do. Most importantly, positioned in the corner of the room with a plant on top it and blending so naturally with the mains sonically, the 2Wq does not call attention to itself. As with the 2Ce Signatures it does take some patience and experimentation to optimize the sound but now that I finally got it right the 2Wq is one exciting vanishing act. Don't cheap out on the crossovers or the speaker cables.

Strengths:
Musical, quick, and accurate
Build quality
Design
Value

Weaknesses:
Not optimized for home theater

Similar Products Used:
Onix Rocket UFW-10

Price Paid:  $1295.00 from audio concepts

Summary:
This is an excellent sub for music. Great tone and tempo. It does well with movies if you adjust your tone controls or the controls on the sub. I listen to music most and this is were it really exceeded my expectations.. It blends so well with my old Magnepan MG3a's that I almost forget its even there. I do not have a corner to put it in so the Q control is very useful. I can't wait to by a secound one for true stereo tone and tempo. I keep saying tone because this sub delivers it dead on. My old sub was good for movies and music but became tiring after long listining periods because the bass seemed...bloated? One 2wq does not play as loud as some subs, however the accuracy is unbeatable.

Strengths:
excellent tone, and tempo

Weaknesses:
takes at least 100 hours to come alive, be patient.

Similar Products Used:
Velodyne

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Audio Salon

Summary:
Maybe not the best or ultimate sub available but extremely capable, accurate and quick. It's versatility shows as it handles music and movies with aplomb. Went to this from a SVS which musically was a big disappointment.

Strengths:
Accurate
Fast and deep

Weaknesses:
Not much output below 23

Similar Products Used:
SVS
HSU

Price Paid:  $1100.00 from Audio Salon

Summary:
This is for the V2W home theater (?) Vandy sub. Same difference as the 2Wq but is set up for single rca, LFE sub out (input) from your pre/pro or AV receiver. I listened to a lot of subs in the $600 to $2000 range and bought this one without even listening to it. Had read a few magazine reviews and figured out what kind of sub I wanted and tried out some other designs in my listening room. While others claim it, this one will do it, that is work just about anywhere in the room. The slot loaded 3 active motor design with a big passive radiator up front thumps anywhere you put it. The corner out about a foot on 2 sides works well for me but I also tried it up front next to my center channel and that works just as well due to the adjustability of the sub itself and the bass management in my pre/pro (Outlaw 950). This sub is musical and thumps when you want it to on the movies. Try out Yes Fragile DVD-A on the Vandy, Cans and Brahms for lower register organ notes, it's scary low and powerful. Gunshots sound pretty authentic as well. Also check out any Marcus Miller disc on the Vandy. This sub will do what ever you want it to do, rock the house or shake the foundation and rattle the window panes. It's all in what you want it to do and how you set it up. The gain pot works a little too well. Could stand to be more tactile with less gain per increment. Zero works just fine for my set up. Proceed from there with caution. Warn the neighbors and contact local nuke plant to see if they are Vandersteen rated.

Strengths:
Placement friendly and plenty of adjustability

Weaknesses:
Gain pot could be more precise and more finish options would be nice. $50 up charge for black?

Similar Products Used:
NHT, PSB, Def Tech

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Price Paid:  $1295.00

Summary:
I purchased two Vandersteen 2WQ subwoofers at a total cost of around $2600. Compared to the single $3000 dollar REL Stadium 3 they are by far a better buy.
I owned a REL stadium III for over one year before purchasing the Vandersteens. Both the Vandersteen and the REL hook up to your main amp in conjunction with your main speakers. Both of these subs retain the sonic signature of your amplifier but I could not get the REL to provide a smooth in room frequncy response and it would not fill in the in the room null at 40hz. This was solved with the Vandersteen and its adjustable Q control. The bass integration of both subwoofers are seemless with full range speaker that extend to below 40hz. The two Vandersteens have a much more solid bottom end with no overhang.
On movie sountracks the Vandersteens also exceeded the REL. When the REL is driven near its max output wind noise is heard from its port which is audible from my listening position about 12 feet away. This does not happen with the Vandersteens sealed enclosure.
The Vandersteens can provide more bottom end then almost anyone will ever need. My room is about 3,600 cubic feet and the bottom end scares me. You will have to adjust your processor to redirect the LFE to your main channels(easily done usually by just selecting "NO subwoofer" on most processors). This will actually provide the listener with much more coherant sound, and is also more compatible with the new SACD and DVD-Audio formats as the bass is derived from your main amp instead of your processor.
system:
power conditioner:
Balanced Audio Technology BP-2.5
speakers:
Vandersteen 2WQ (2)
Dunlavy SC-IV
Dunlavy SC-I/AV
projector:
Runco CP760W
Stewart filmscreen
processor:
Anthem AVM-20 v2.0
amps:
Anthem MCA-20
Anthem MCA-5 series II
source:
Elite DVL-91 CD/LD/DVD transport
Onkyo DVC-610 CD/DVD 6 disc transport
real time analyzer:
Rane RA30
previously owned components:
Lexicon MC-1/Citation 7.0/Sony TAE1000ES
Classe CA-200;CAV-75/PassLabs X150
Acurus A150(4)/Sony TA-N55ES;TA-N220
Infinity RS8Kappas;ERS840(6);Modulus
REL Stadium III
Classe CDP-.3/Sony CDP-X333ES/Muse 5

Strengths:
Well defined tight and deep bass. Adjustable Q which works to compensate for in room response variations.

Weaknesses:
Proper setup takes a while.

Similar Products Used:
Owned a REL Stadium III & Infinity Modulus. Auditioned many.