Vandersteens in the house!!!

Got bottom off one with bass problem. These were wet at some point. I do not see water mark on the sock but diffinitely moldy smell as soon as I removed the bottom board. Like an old boat.

I hope that's not what caused any woofer problem but will soon find out. :scratch2:
 
As has been said, the epoxy Vandersteen used on their sub bass drivers is notorious for breaking loose. I always heard it was the cone seperating from the surround, but in my case it was the spider seperating from the frame. I'm sure it's just a matter of time until the other one does the same thing.
 
shacky said:
Then one is putting out great bass. The other - not. I turned them off thinking maybe it's a surround. Hope previous owner didn't blow a woofer :scratch2:

Looks like I'm going to be taking sock(s) off. Are new one's readily available? One has stain though maybe I could reposition that side on rear?
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Shacky

As some have stated Vandy Model 2s 2Cs and 2Cis have a problem with the 8" driver separating from the surround. I think it's pretty common. It happened to both me and my friend Jay's 2Cis. Richard Vandersteen said he always wanted to keep costs down on his speakers, which is one reason he didn't put them in a wood cabinet. But come on Richard, cheap glue? And electronically his speakers have a reputation for being bulletproof. But as you already have the sock off you should be able to zero in on the problem.
What exactly did you mean by the other not putting out great bass. Is it putting out any bass at all? Is the problem the 8" driver or the 10" accoustic coupler? If it sounds scratchy and the 8" cone is rubbing against the side it may be blown, but as you have the sock off you can check it across the speaker with a multimeter. I don't like that part about the mouldy smell. If it got wet that could affect the wiring on the 10" coupler which is on the bottom. If a driver is blown Vandersteen does have replacement drivers. I had to replace an 8" driver in one of my 2Cis. But don't give up, it's a wonderful speaker. I've had many Vandys and have 2Ce Signatures so I'm biased but I think for the money Vandersteen is the best speaker there is. Balanced, harmonius, rewarding, and emotionally involving. The whole package. And superior to the Thiels, which can give you some serious ear fatigue. People who are used to forward or bright speakers find them lacking or say they're "too laid back". They don't push the music at you, but give them time. They reveal their strengths quietly and slowly, and they're habit forming. They're not the most efficient speakers, so they do need power. And they won't sound good until you drive them with quality equipment upstream. With mediocre equipment what they will do is not sound good because they will be revealing the flaws in your upstream equipment. This AK post will reveal what I mean kind of in reverse;
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=171151&highlight=Soundcraftsmen.
Avguytx got a Soundcraftsmen amp which revealed detail his Sansuis and his Magnavox couldn't process. Your 2Cs will do the same thing. If your upstream equipment is giving the Vandersteens inferior information they will reveal it where other lo and midfi speakers like Japanese kabuki speakers won't. They just round everything off. So MOTR equipment upstream can make your 2Cis sound inferior to speakers the Vandys are much better than. You have a great set of speakers now. To get the best out of them you're going to have to match them upstream. Good luck.
 
There is a large masonite disc on the acoustic coupler to add mass and they were very specific about the spider because it has to support so much weight. Check the glue and that the spider is intact. You might want to rotate the acoustic coupler 180 degrees to give them another decade to settle in the other direction.
I have a feeling that the problem is more likely in the crossover. There is a cap in series with the 8" woofer and a thermal cutout and inductor in series with the acoustic coupler. This is how the 2ci is made anyway, the 2 and 2Ce are a bit different. Which are yours?

Regarding the glue on the 8", it is a custom driver from Vifa in the Ci and I think Ce,
the 2 is probably different given that it has a foam edge.

There are vent slots on the back of the level controls IIRC and you should be
able to spray some deoxit in there to clean them up.

I suggest that you experiment with the midrange and tweeter level controls once
you get them sorted out as I described here:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2783952&postcount=28
 
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Pete B said:
There is a large masonite disc on the acoustic coupler to add mass and they were very specific about the spider because it has to support so much weight. Check the glue and that the spider is intact. You might want to rotate the acoustic coupler 180 degrees to give them another decade to settle in the other direction.




I suggest that you experiment with the midrange and tweeter level controls once
you get them sorted out as I described here:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2783952&postcount=28
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info about the disc on the coupler Pete. I didn't know that a) they would settle and that b) you could rotate them. I don't think my 2Ce Sigs need that yet, but that's info to store. I think his are Model 2s or 2Cs because he has the old stands in the pictures.
 
Well these have foam surrounds on mids and woofers and they are going to need replacement. I just hope the PO didn't try them too long in this shape. I think I can feel center of VC and rub free push test but it's tough as the cone is completely free.

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My wife said PO seemed meticulous and clean. These looked very nice on outside but look at the mold on inside of cloth! :yikes:

I cut it off and threw it out - stinks. New socks are a must.

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I suggest that you get your serial numbers off the back and call Vandersteen they are very helpful and want you to keep your speakers working in top shape. Richard Vandersteen himself handles all service calls. He will probably try to get you to send the drivers back so that they can rebuild them but it is expensive and I'd see if they will sell you the foam at a good price.

First check the DC resistance of all the drivers, this will tell you if any are open or shorted, you can compare right to left if you're opening both sides. Edit: you're going to have to open the other side as it will surely need refoaming. They will need more work if there are voice coil issues.

The woofer looks to me like one from Brian Cheney, the founder and owner of VMPS. You could email the picture to him as he does support builders and moders.

The mid, looks like the old CTS-510 (similar if not the same as the driver used in the original B*se 901) driver but it had a cloth edge. It might just be built from the common parts, frame, cone etc. and it looks like they doped the cone and dust cap. Does that look like hard PVA glue on the dust cap? Edit: Not the same cone since the CTS-510 had a paper cone, that looks to be clear plastic.

I expect that the tweeter will be a 1" Audax check those also for DC resistance since they are also not the most robust drivers.

I'm curious to see the tweeters and acoustic couplers.
 
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wow...that's the thing I hate about speakers that use socks for covers. Impossible to use degradation of surrounds as negotiators.

I found a pair of vandersteens at an omaha pawn shop for $50 a few years back...went to the bank...came back and they were gone.
 
shacky said:
My wife said PO seemed meticulous and clean. These looked very nice on outside but look at the mold on inside of cloth! :yikes:

I cut it off and threw it out - stinks. New socks are a must.
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Shacky

That sock looked nasty, so I can imagine how it smelled. You can get replacement socks on the net, just google them. Pete B is right that Richard Vandersteen will tell you to send them in for service. I've talked to Richard a few times, and he can be a little cranky. I think curmudgeon is the proper term, but when it comes to speakers he is a genius. They do great work, but when I had to get an 8" driver replaced for my 2Ci it cost me over $200 including the UPS.
I forget where in the state Rochester is, but there have to be some good technicians somewhere in your area. I'd pull all the speakers out that you are the least suspicious about and have a good tech examine them. Start a thread asking AKers if anybody knows one in your area. If they just need refoaming ditto for the refoaming. Refoaming is not that difficult, but I'd rather pay someone else to do it, and there are plenty of people who do it. Well Shacky, it looks like you have a little urban renewal project on your hands. Adventures in audio. Keep us posted as to your progress.
You might consider raising hell with the original sellar. I know I would. It sounds to me like you were misinformed about the condition of the speakers and you've got the pictures to prove it. And it's the squeaky wheel that gets greased. Good luck.
 
Just sent him pictures. While add is still up I copied ot. Let's see what kind of man we're dealing with.

These are vintage Vandersteen 2C speakers, in good condition (including the connecting hardware). Vandersteen is a high end, audiophile's speaker company, still operating in CA, and still supporting all of their products (www.vandersteen.com). I've taken good care of these and they still sound great. They are too large for our crowded living room, so I'm looking to pass them on. This is a great price for a classic speaker.


•Location: park ave
•it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
 

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Just looked over my shoulder and asked the wife if she would go to the bank and then pick up an old pair of speakers for me, in her car.





After forty years you would think I would know better.
 
shacky said:
The stands have holes that line up with bottom late and fit perfectly. If not original what are they? :scratch2:
Click to expand...

Shacky

Those are the original stands for the original 2, 2A, 2B and early 2Cs. Later in the 2C line Vandersteen started using the heavier stand with the T shaped bottom that was also used for the 2Ci. You could fill that anchor with sand or shot to add weight. The idea was to anchor the speaker body so firmly that it wouldn't absorb any of the speaker movement by moving itself. The T shaped anchors were sold separately when you bought the 2Cis new.
Still advise you to contact the original seller about a refund. It looks like you may have to put some money in these, and original Model 2s usually don't sell for more than $350, maybe $400 for 9+ condition, if that's the Model 2 you have. Look at the serial numbers and if there is an A B or C after the serial number than that's the model you have, and these are later models with supposed slight factory improvements. It's said that Richard liked to tinker with his speakers and tweak them here and there mid production, but rumors are rampant. This Audiogon Blue Book link will show you the Model 2 variation production years.
http://cgim.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_bb.pl?vandersteen&zzANY
 
Ouch. Not so much of a deal at $200... the stands were kind of a giveaway, what with the rust spots showing. Moisture is a nasty thing for speakers. Anyway, hope you can get it all rectified without too much cash outlay. The 2C's are seriously good speakers when in top form.
 
Well having the experience of my wife buying these is enough that PO and I decided on new price - half original price. I figured he can't sell them now that I ripped them apart and I have a great story to tell once these are back up to speed.

He had them in a basement for several years.

I'll wip these puppies back to shape. :yes:
 
shacky said:
Well having the experience of my wife buying these is enough that PO and I decided on new price - half original price. I figured he can't sell them now that I ripped them apart and I have a great story to tell once these are back up to speed.

He had them in a basement for several years.

I'll wip these puppies back to shape. :yes:
Click to expand...

I think they are well worth the $100 and the sweat equity.

Perhaps not everyone's cuppa tea, nonetheless Vandersteens deserve the reputation they have earned.

It's one of five pair of large speakers I kept, and remain in my top ten smart buys.
 
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