Who knows who this is?

Richard Vandersteen

How did you get a chance to hang out with him?

- Steve O.

Which of you two collects or plays the guitar?

What an awesome experience it is to have the owner of the company visit your home. Thats just pretty rad

I've met Richard and his wife a few times both at CES and at Esoteric Audio in Scottsdale. He periodically every few years will show up at Esoteric Audio in Scottsdale to support his local dealer, for an open house and/or Az AV Club presentation. Altho I luv my Aerial speakers, I also think Vandy speakers are outstanding. Some years ago, back in the days when I had four Aerial 10Ts, Aerial CC3 and five Vandersteen 2Wq subs (currently four Aerial 9s, Aerial CC5 and three Aerial SW12 subs), Richard was presenting his then new Vandy 9s at Esoteric Audio. We discussed my system a bit, I mentioned that if his Vandy 5s had come out say two years earlier that I might have put them in my theater, and he simply said Aerial are really good speakers and it wouldn't make sense to change to his Vandy 5s as I already had the Aerial 10s. What a class act. No disparaging a competitor even if he likes his product in that price range more. Got to give him credit. And his demos always are nice sounding, too.

I met Richard and his wife at Esoteric Audio during his summer "road tour". He was very down-to-earth and was able to answer some questions I've had about my 3A Signatures. It was also nice to spend time with him after his presentation and ask direct questions about speaker design and testing.

I don't think Vandersteen audio ever released a nine-series speaker. Steve - are you talking about the 5/5a, or the Quattros?

- Steve O.

Woops!! Edited and changed it to the 5s.

ouch!

Vandy 2Ce Sigs were my first "premium" speaker. I sure enjoyed them. It is nice to know their creator is such a class act.

I thought mine was the best room he ever heard. I guess that was almost 5 Years ago .

Take heart, TPigeon, it was Mitch's dealer who said he had the best room. Mr. Vandersteen, on the other hand, ripped apart one of his speakers Maybe your title is safe

If I remember correctly, Richard himself said that the best/tweaked out Vandersteen setup he has ever heard is owned by Bill Low of Audioquest.

Just for the record: I was referring to the dealer, not Mr. Vandersteen. That being said, I don't want to imply that this dealer says this about every room. I recall them spending extra time listening to movies and music at my place when they didn't need to stay.

So, please no one take my original comment for anything else but a lighthearted joke. I am sure that Mitch worked hard at setting up his system correctly and that his room and equipment are superior (For one thing, I believe he has 5A's, whereas I only have 5's).

Even though I misunderstood somewhat I knew you were having fun!

Mr. Vandersteen is the class act and everyone of his speakers represents about the best value/performance you can get, not including his fabulous model 5a's price no object statement. That speaker is way ahead of anything out there.

At CES a few years back, he had a small mini monitor showing. Do any of you know what came of it?

Regards
David

That was the Vandersteen Reference Monitor shown as CES 2000. It probably morphed into the Quattro - I'd just call up Richard Vandersteen and ask him why it's not in the product lineup.

- Steve O.