Looking for a Quality Loudspeaker in the less than $1500, then definitely audition these. I compared these with Thiels CS.5 and the low end B&W matrix series (just to mention a few). Better bass extension for the money and much more capable of handling high levels. The B&Ws and Thiels are clearer at the high end but overall the Vandersteens offer excellent value for money. Good soundstage, solid placement with good results over a range of listening positions. Overall the presence is just a little warm however, when mated with solid state amps they work fine (most of us use solid state don't we!). For the money these speakers have got to be a 5.

Wow! I bought a pair of used 2Ce's as my first serious set of speakers a few months ago, and they deliver incredible bang for the buck. I listened to a number of less expensive speakers in the $800-$1000/pair range like Boston Acoustics, Definitive Technology, Polk, KEF, and the Vandy 1C's, but was monumentally impressed by the 2Ce's from the first moment. Unquestionably worth the extra money, especially if you're starting with mediocre equipment and intend to upgrade like I do. LOTS of room to grow into, and they really shine even with my mass market receiver (Onkyo TX-SV535).
The mids and highs are exceptionally clear and have superb imaging, and the bass really thunders. If you're searching for a set of speakers with serious earthshaking potential, these definitely fit the bill; then again, if you're looking for a perfectly pure sound or can do without extra bass, the low end may seem a bit boomy. As far as I'm concerned, the little knob on the receiver labeled "Bass" can minimize this issue quite well whenever it grows fatiguing.

Four and a half stars - I'd buy the 2Ce's again in a heartbeat.

neutral, accurate

dynamically compressed

Many speaker designers add extra detail (boosted highs) to their speakers to compensate for the smeary resolution loss created in most rooms because of early reflections off walls, ceiling, etc. Yes this restores fine detail to the sound but at the expense of timbre, which ends up brighter than real life.

I applaud Vandersteen for leaving the timbre flat, even if it means we won't hear all the detail and imaging without dealing with room acoustics. I suggest that anybody sceptical of Vandersteen's approach first set them up in a room where early reflections have been dealt with properly. Then before spending too much time with them go out and listen to real instruments for a while. Warning, though. Doing this will make many audio products, including many very expensive ones, seem hopelessly brash and sizzly.

As a working musician and school band teacher I have daily experience with the sound of real instruments. When I go home and play well-recorded CDs, the timbre of real instruments is very well rendered.

Before I properly treated my listening room and got rid of early reflections, I found myself wishing the treble were boosted so that I could hear "air" etc. But this was a mistake. Now, with the room properly treated, I have it all, incredible detail (I can hear John Coltrane adjust his neck strap on the remaster of Kind of Blue) without artificially accented treble.

My only complaint, and this is a complaint of almost every speaker I've ever heard, is that they don't copy real world dynamics. In other words, a 10 db change in real life might end up being only a 9.5 db change on the Vandersteens. This affects everything from crescendos in orchestral music to individual sounds like trumpet attacks and snare drum rim shots. This I guess is a minor complaint given that it is a characteristic of virtually every speaker out there.

In sum, the Vandersteens are a superb product that doesn't disappoint me, even as I constantly compare recordings on them with the real thing at work.

Full range

Not transparent; inputs; service; highs rolled off

I bought these after shopping around quite a bit, and was ultimately wooed by their full bass, which is difficult to obtain at this price. However, extended listening has not been as rewarding for me. I've used a variety of high-end and middle-of-the-road associated equipment (from VPI to Cary to Conrad Johnson and Parasound)and I think I have the full measure of these speakers.
First, you do need 100 solid state watts to push these; only 82 db sensitivity.
In exchange for the full response range, the 2Ces lack transparency, except when played at a medium sound level; push them loud and the mids harden, play them softly and they just sit there. They can image well, if your room is dedicated solely to audio (nothing between the speakers) but if you move your head a quarter of an inch, the imaging goes to hell. Extremely and improperly sensitive to the height of the listener; you will get a sore neck if your listening chair isn't the right height.
These are not musically involving speakers, like ProAc 1SCs; Vienna Bachs, or Sonus Concertinos. They just don't resolve enough for me.
Take the set-up advice with a large grain of salt, because I think they sound best toed-in quite a bit (contra the "instructions"), although I have listened to them in every possible configuration.

This is a speaker for the casual listener who is used to mid-fi products. It's kind of like the Chevy owner who buys a Buick and thinks it's the finest automobile ever built.

A word about the manufacturer: prior to purchasing these, and knowing that this model had been around for years, I called Mr. 'Steen himself and inquired as to whether these had been updated since their introduction in 1992. He seemed upset that I even inquired, and said that the 2Ces that I was going to purchase reflected the latest revisions to this speaker. Taking him at his word, I took delivery that day, despite my reservations about the lack of clarity (particularly in the treble). Much to my suprise and dismay; neither Mr. Vandersteen nor my dealer informed me that a new, improved "Signature" version was coming out in two weeks. I only learned this when the December Stereophile hit my doorstep a week later, with an ad for the "Signature" version featuring, you guessed it, a new tweeter promising increased clarity! Now, I have to pay $350 to get mine upgraded! Mr. Vandersteen tricked me into one sale, but he won't get another.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm; Thiel; Meadowlark; Vienna Mozart/Bach; Linn Tukan

All around quality[these are the previous 2ci model]in sound and materials used.

For the money none known of at this time.After nine years of use they still sound as good as the day i bought them.

Even though this is a model 2ci and 9 years old i find it hard to duplicate an original. Although i'm sure there have been refinements,these still are some excellent sounding speakers.I am currently running them through a Carver TFM 25 AMP and have been very happy.Will be powering them thru an Aragon 8008bb soon,will keep you posted.

Similar Products Used:

Definitive Tech 2002,TRIAD SPEAKERS

I only have one more thing to say to all of you that think that these are good speakers.
IGNORANCE IS BLISS !

I have had these speakers since they replaced the earlier model. I liked them at first because they were very clear and crisp. I was not very worried about the bass because I've got a ULD15, but when I disconnected the sub, the bass was awesome. These speakers can take some abuse, as I play music very louldy, everything from Metallica/Iron Maiden to Dire Straits. The warning lights rarely come on. When they do your ears are ringing so much that its not a big deal to cool it for awhile. I used to listen pretty seriously to music, but now that I work constantly I barely have the listening patience to go 2 songs in a row without interrupting.........for stress relief I just crank it up and don't worry about blowing anything. I have lost the ability to rate or judge the sound of my really expensive stereo, but at least I have volume.

I'm frankly amazed at some of the vitriolic reviews seen below. These thingssound good even with a midfi receiver, but expensive electronics are not wasted on them. You can find speakers that image better, are more transparent, yada yada-audiofile psychobabble all. These things just make music. I miss mine.
Only reason I sold 'em is I moved into a place too small for them. They do like having some breathing room; their bass can overload a small room. They don't need a lot of juice, either. You'll be amazed at what they'll do with even a
40w/c quality integrated. If you're short on bucks, this is a "compromise" you can easily live with...just do make sure to biwire them, as their bass can be
tubby if you don't.

I've had a set of these Van's for years and I just never get tired of them. I have listened to many others, but when its time to listen to the MUSIC (and not the speaker)... Its time to sit back in front of the 2C's an just enjoy. They work great over a wide variety of music.

I agree with some others on here who have said these speakers grow on you. an extremely listenable speaker.

These (especially the Signature models) are the best speakers available under $2K. They aren't fancy-looking-- just simple and elegant cloth exteriors. Unlike most speakers, the money goes into quality components, rather than wood and veneer. Neutral, accurate sound that will perform very well with most mid-fi to hi-fi equipment.
And here's to O.Z., the most blissful person on earth.