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Vandersteen 2CE stand (and sock) dilemma

Wildcat

Wildcat

¡Que siga la fiesta!
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I picked up a pair of the Vandersteen 2CEs just over a week ago. They are sounding fairly good, but did not come with any sort of stand.

I haven't found stands yet for sale (used...I'm not buying new for these speakers), but I'm wondering if I should forgo the stands and just install some spikes on the bottom.

Reason? On one set of furniture, the tweeters are already higher than my ears. On other seating, they are at just the right level. Adding even a few inches (a la the Sound Anchor stands) would put them higher than the ideal height (per Vandersteen). At least with spikes I would not gain much height, yet gain the stability these need. I am on a carpeted cement slab, so the spikes have something solid to settle against.

Or is there some argument for using the stands designed for these speakers?

Also, for socks, would the cloth from Parts Express work well enough? I've read some have used it, and others have gotten the socks right from Vandersteen. I've located the video online, showing how to take the ends off of the speakers so I'm good there. And I have an air-powered upholstery staple gun as well. ;)
 
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There's a procedure on how to set tilt in the Vandy manual. I suppose if you could achieve the proper tilt without the stands, it's worth a try.
 
I installed new socks on my Model 1's and I got them from Vandersteen. I thought about using the Parts Express cloth but given the cost differential I didn't think it was worth the additional hassle.
 
Lman said:
I installed new socks on my Model 1's and I got them from Vandersteen. I thought about using the Parts Express cloth but given the cost differential I didn't think it was worth the additional hassle.
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I will have to search again, but I thought a pair of socks for the 2CE were about $40, plus shipping, from Vandersteen. A few yards of cloth from Parts Express would only be $21 (it is just over $7/yard), plus I have some other parts to order anyway so I would get free shipping there. No issues sewing up the "tubes" as we're equipped for that at Casa Wildcat. The socks in the Vandersteen video, though, look like they have a bit of a sheen to them, so they might be a different material.

I still don't know if the end caps can be redone with new cloth. The caps only have a couple of faint stains and a small chip out of one of them, but it would be nice to refresh these nonetheless, even if I don't keep them.

captouch said:
There's a procedure on how to set tilt in the Vandy manual. I suppose if you could achieve the proper tilt without the stands, it's worth a try.
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I just checked listening height--the lower furniture is 32" ear height, and the higher is between 33-34". So based on the chart (below) they would really not need any tilt. But, from reading the manual it states the ideal listening height for the 2CE Signature II* includes having the speakers on a 3-inch base. If that is the case, then I may look into finding some appropriate stands.

* Is the 2CE Signature II the same height as the original 2CE? I know the 2CE grew over the height of the earlier models.


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BTW, I do have these bi-wired, and I did run contact cleaner into the banana jacks and beefed up the banana plugs a bit so they held in there nicely.
 
The Proper stands are from Sound Anchor - but they vary depending on which Vandy 2C version you have -
The 2CI model was shorter and had a taller stand, all the 2CE variations are the same height box.

Wildcat said:
I just checked listening height--the lower furniture is 32" ear height, and the higher is between 33-34". So based on the chart (below) they would really not need any tilt. But, from reading the manual it states the ideal listening height for the 2CE Signature II* includes having the speakers on a 3-inch base. If that is the case, then I may look into finding some appropriate stands.

* Is the 2CE Signature II the same height as the original 2CE? I know the 2CE grew over the height of the earlier models.

BTW, I do have these bi-wired, and I did run contact cleaner into the banana jacks and beefed up the banana plugs a bit so they held in there nicely.
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Not sure if you have gotten all of the stand situation sorted out but if not. I highly recommend you get the proper anchors for those speakers as well as bi wire them , set them up correctly as per the Vandersteen manual , feed them the highest clean watts you can afford and be prepared to be hooked in this Vandersteen game . Just my two sents coming from a Vandersteen 2ce signature ii owner .
 
Can't find stands anywhere at the moment, but, I've given up looking for now. I figure I'm going to pass on the stands for now, as I'm finishing up another speaker project in a couple of months and will have them in the system if it all works out. Or if those don't work out, I will just sit on the sidelines and save up for my "destination" speaker. I'm more of a planar speaker guy, so these aren't quite doing it for me. They're not bad (quite nice, actually), but they're not quite what I'm looking for either. They'd be great in a second system.

At this point it's one of those things where, if I fall over some insanely cheap deal on stands locally, I'll get them.

Already bi-wired, and plenty of Nelson Pass power. No worries. ;)
 
If I order socks from Vandersteen, do I get a choice of color? I have black but actually would prefer the lighter cream or tan color I've seen on a few in the past. Parts Express and Madisound do not have this color. I would also need to figure out how to change the cloth on the top panels, as I kind of want to refinish these as they have some nicks and stains in them.

I haven't ordered them, but Acoustic Sounds sells the Vandersteen stands, and has them in stock. $175 for the 2CE. Not bad, but it's more than half what I paid for the pair. :D
 
+1 (559) 582-0324 Here is vandersteen audios phone number to ask about the different sock colors to order. Hope this helps


Not sure if you have watched this video yet but it could help you with the sock replacement.
 
Saw that video (including the bazillion staples) a few months ago. :D

The video doesn't cover replacing the cloth on the top end cap. I haven't read of anyone who has done this yet, but . If I had any woodworking tools and skills though, I'd make a new set (with cloth on top of course).
 
Yeah all those staples are something else lol. But I guess I would rather them overbuild the speakers then skimp out, although it makes Diy ing the socks a pita. I haven't seen the top piece redone either but it seems like I remember a guy redoing his and me reading about it somewhere, if I find it I'll post it up for you.
 
Audiofreak71 said:
I haven't seen the top piece redone either but it seems like I remember a guy redoing his and me reading about it somewhere, if I find it I'll post it up for you.
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:thumbsup:

I've read elsewhere (probably in another AK thread) that the end caps can be lightly sanded down, as the veneer is thin and it could be easily sanded through. I just don't know if these stains (they almost look like ink) would come out if I only gave them a light sanding.

I could, however, go with a much darker stain. I would rather not though, as I like the grain of the wood showing.
 
You could try lightly sanding them like you said, but also like you said, you stand a chance of damaging the veneer. There is that light coat of oil that Is on top so if there's a stain it's probably gone into the wood as well, rather than a speaker that has a clear coat on top where you can sand that down and recoat it, I don't think that would work in this case. Mine are walnut so a kind of in between light and dark so maybe if you do need to redo the veneer that color might be an option for you to consider.
 
I replaced the socks on Quad ESL 63s and Vandy2Cs. I went to a fabric store. 3,000 cloths to choose from, instead of a handful at a speaker place. Bought very thin sonically-transparent cloth, stretchy with a very slightly silky sheen. Sounds better, snug fit, looks elegant. Anyone with access to a sewing machine can do it (or your dry cleaner) — just one straight seam. Costs far less, choose your own. There's nothing special about "speaker cloth" except it's an open enough weave to emit sound and looks boring.

Re stands, I used cones up front to tilt them back (thanks for that diagram Wildcat). Finally I got off my butt made a pair of stands. No difference, waste of energy and materials.
 
I have debated the stands--on carpet, I find they can use some solid anchoring. Yet given what I paid for the 2CEs, stands cost well over half what I paid for the speakers. I am tempted to install some nice adjustable spikes. As I don't have much money into these, anything cosmetic would be more for resale value down the road. I like them, and am glad I had an opportunity to own them, but let's just say I'm not head over heels thinking these are the greatest things since sliced bread either.
 
I am still hoping to find out how to dismantle the end caps so I can refinish them, and put new cloth in.

For refinishing the end caps, these are not vinyl veneer but wood veneer, as they have a few tiny chips out of them. Given what wood veneer costs, I likely will fill the chips with wood putty, clean up the surface, and then put new veneer on the end caps. The bottoms are easier due to being one solid piece.

The only thing I have to figure out is how to get the grill cloth piece out of the top end cap. And I don't want to tear into dismantling the system until I know how much work that end cap will create, since if it gets too involved I will just leave them as-is.
 
Wildcat said:
I am still hoping to find out how to dismantle the end caps so I can refinish them, and put new cloth in.

For refinishing the end caps, these are not vinyl veneer but wood veneer, as they have a few tiny chips out of them. Given what wood veneer costs, I likely will fill the chips with wood putty, clean up the surface, and then put new veneer on the end caps. The bottoms are easier due to being one solid piece.

The only thing I have to figure out is how to get the grill cloth piece out of the top end cap. And I don't want to tear into dismantling the system until I know how much work that end cap will create, since if it gets too involved I will just leave them as-is.
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Sorry to revive a nearly 2yrs old post! But wondering if you ever figured out how to redo the cloth in the top plate?
 
BTW, if I ever decide to redo mine, I might fill all the imperfections in the veneer, prime it, apply an adhesion prep, and vinyl wrap the end caps. With so many colors and finishes available, with the caps wrapped and new cloth in place (I'd possibly pick a custom cloth in a lighter color), they could have quite a unique look.
 
Wildcat said:
BTW, if I ever decide to redo mine, I might fill all the imperfections in the veneer, prime it, apply an adhesion prep, and vinyl wrap the end caps. With so many colors and finishes available, with the caps wrapped and new cloth in place (I'd possibly pick a custom cloth in a lighter color), they could have quite a unique look.
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I’m surprised with so many Vandersteen 2c’s out there that there hasn’t been someone who does this as a side business.

Audiofreak71
 
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