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Vandersteen Base/Stand Alternatives?

Shug451

Shug451

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So I have the opportunity to snag a pair of Vandersteen 1c speakers for a very good price. Only problem is that they don't come with the Vandersteen bases, which I have read are pretty much necessary for coaxing out the best sound. It looks like the bases are still available, but cost more than I'm paying for the speakers. I don't really see anything on the used market. Are there any good alternatives out there? How necessary are they? Thanks for any and all advice.
 
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They are absolutely 100% required in order for the Vandersteens to sound right . Imagine your arm without your hand , that is what the bases are to the Vandersteens an extension of those speakers.

Audiofreak71
 
The 1's being so old it is rare to see them with stands or the stands at all. Did you contact Soundanchors directly? They may have them or may be willing to make them? Won't be cheap. GL
 
dfunghi said:
The 1's being so old it is rare to see them with stands or the stands at all. Did you contact Soundanchors directly? They may have them or may be willing to make them? Won't be cheap. GL
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Yes, Sound Anchor still makes them, but they'll cost more than what I'm paying for the speakers!

I have seen some stands for the 1ci for less money. I believe they might fit, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
 
My 2C speakers came with homemade stands. Stands would not be too difficult to make, or consider asking custom kitchen/countertop manufacturers - they might just sell you a stack of sink cutouts cheap. Any stack of MDF of the right size would do.
 
You can build your own if you're good with wood-working, with a solid hardwood like oak and some spike feet, you could acquire the right height and angle and maintain an attractive look that wouldn't break the bank. The stands on mine aren't high, maybe a couple inches, they mostly just tip the speakers back a bit.
 
Shug451 said:
Yes, Sound Anchor still makes them, but they'll cost more than what I'm paying for the speakers!

I have seen some stands for the 1ci for less money. I believe they might fit, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
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Not uncommon event sadly. I remember the first time I paid more for a cartridge than my TT cost. If you have not bought the speakers yet, unless a really screaming good deal (like under $100) maybe wait and keep an eye open for another set with stands. The 2 (ci, ce) seem to show up often but will run a few hundred at least. I sold my 2ce with stands for about $500 a few years ago so you should be able to find that still.
I know this is not super helpful for finding affordable stands for the Vandy 1, just a couple ideas to think about.

GL
 
There is a pair of 1c in NJ, not too far from you maybe? $450 with stands. Or maybe they will sell just the stands if no takers on speakers? check NJ CL
 
dfunghi said:
There is a pair of 1c in NJ, not too far from you maybe? $450 with stands. Or maybe they will sell just the stands if no takers on speakers? check NJ CL
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Thanks! I actually did see those. It's about a 6.5-hour roundtrip, so a bit of a hike. Something to consider, though! Hopefully, some stands will come up a little closer to home or perhaps I'll try fashioning some myself. Thanks again.
 
CJ Payne said:
You can build your own if you're good with wood-working, with a solid hardwood like oak and some spike feet, you could acquire the right height and angle and maintain an attractive look that wouldn't break the bank. The stands on mine aren't high, maybe a couple inches, they mostly just tip the speakers back a bit.
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Yeah, I might give that a go, if I can't find something else. Thanks.
 
Read up on Vandersteen placement in your room, they recommend that you have no furniture in your living room, except the couch you sit on directly in front of the speakers, acoustic pannels on the wall and ceiling are recommended as well...and floor too, with a path to the couch...and they also recommend that your room be about 25' wide or wider, and at least 230' long.

After that section, there's usually charts on height and tilt angle. From there you can make your plan for a stand, Vandersteen's are usually T shaped with three feet, not four.
 
CJ Payne said:
Read up on Vandersteen placement in your room, they recommend that you have no furniture in your living room, except the couch you sit on directly in front of the speakers, acoustic pannels on the wall and ceiling are recommended as well...and floor too, with a path to the couch...and they also recommend that your room be about 25' wide or wider, and at least 230' long.

After that section, there's usually charts on height and tilt angle. From there you can make your plan for a stand, Vandersteen's are usually T shaped with three feet, not four.
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Yeah, they seem quite particular when it comes to placement. That's one of the reasons I'm interested in the 1c rather than the larger 2 series, which I've read need a bit more room to achieve the best sound.
 
I also got a pair of Vandersteens recently, Model 2's. For those of us who are handy with wood (and hopefully the OP is) how high should they be and how much of an upward angle back to front? Will they still work if my room is not 230' long? :biggrin:
 
CJ Payne said:
Read up on Vandersteen placement in your room, they recommend that you have no furniture in your living room, except the couch you sit on directly in front of the speakers, acoustic pannels on the wall and ceiling are recommended as well...and floor too, with a path to the couch...and they also recommend that your room be about 25' wide or wider, and at least 230' long.

After that section, there's usually charts on height and tilt angle. From there you can make your plan for a stand, Vandersteen's are usually T shaped with three feet, not four.
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I think you may have gotten that 25ft wide and 230ft long a bit off lol but yes Vandersteen’s like space and it’s very important to get the rake angle as per your seating position, correct and toe in.

Audiofreak71
 
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