Is this a good buy? vandersteen speakers model 2 for 550$

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The end of each serial number will help identify which model of 2 it is. Mine are xxxxxCe for example. Others could be xxxxxCi or xxxxxC or whatever.

I am very happy with my 2Ce pair! But I bought them locally and got to check them out thoroughly, including a careful listen. If you have any possibility of that, I recommend it over purchasing speakers without an audition. Good luck!
 
I don't think they are 2CE - they may actually be original Model 2, if so, they are NOT worth the money! I would NOT buy them unheard ...

I own a pair each of 2CEs and 2CIs ...

The image on the RIGHT shows what the Tag on my 2CEs (and on my 2CIs) look like - its NOT the Roman numerals your ad shows ...
(the image on the LEft is for even newer Vandersteen 2CE Signature speakers - the composite is the only rear label pix I had available quickly)

I think that ad really is trying to sell original series II Vandersteens.
The woofers in Model IIs do NOT have butyl rubber surrounds and may have other issues.

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wow, thanks for the quick replies. Well, all this information has really helped. I dont think I'll buy these as i dont want them if they are not 2ce.

Anyone recommend a good price for a pair of 2ce's?
 
I fully agree with Heather that those earlier 2s are not worth the asking price.

For one data point, I recently paid $350 for 2Ces that are sonically perfect and cosmetically very good (a couple small dings in the wood, and some pills on the cloth socks). They included stands. I thought I got a very good deal.
 
It is my understanding that some of the very last original 2C's had the butyl surrounds. That said, Vandersteen says they can't tell even base on the serial # what surrounds are in them. They did acknowledge that some had the butyl surrounds. I recently paid $325 for a pair of original 2C's which do have the butyl surrounds in showroom condition in original packaging with the higher quality 3 point stands, and spikes included. So, that seems pretty high to me, especially with no stands, etc.
 
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You have to be careful with assumptions about the earlier Vandies. If the woofers had factory service when the foam started to go, I believe it was an option to get either the foam or the butyl surrounds. I know I have seen early series 2 speakers with them.

Having said that, the market prices most (all?) of the pre-1990 production of the model 2 variants at ~ $300 to $400. If properly maintained, they are wonderful speakers at that price, and you should be able to find a pair in that range or less.
 
Maybe I am extremely fortunate, but I didn't pay over $400 for either pair of mine - 2CE or 2Ci - both came with factory boxes and 2CE style Sound Anchor stands (yes, I know what the 2CI stands should have been).

I'd be hesitant to drop $400 for anything earlier without factory receipts showing they had been repaired or updated.



hammr7 said:
You have to be careful with assumptions about the earlier Vandies. If the woofers had factory service when the foam started to go, I believe it was an option to get either the foam or the butyl surrounds. I know I have seen early series 2 speakers with them.

Having said that, the market prices most (all?) of the pre-1990 production of the model 2 variants at ~ $300 to $400. If properly maintained, they are wonderful speakers at that price, and you should be able to find a pair in that range or less.
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mith said:
I believe they are the model 2ce, but the buyer doesnt know. The model 2ce's also only say model 2 on the back.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VANDERSTEEN..._Subwoofers&hash=item1c2a3ad5a0#ht_873wt_1270

The price is only 450$. But 100$ for shipping.

edit* please dont buy these :D
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Definitely not 2CE's. If you look at pics in the ad, you can see that these were produced even before the bi-wire connections were introduced. Pics also show a serial no. in the 2,800's. Mine are definitely plain old 2C's but with serials in the 25,000's and have the bi-wire connections. Unless they were redone, the surrounds must surely be shot, and getting those socks off and back on properly is a pain.
 
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