Comments on: Vandersteen 2C: Better Off Dead?

By: Ian White

Ian White — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 01:09:38 +0000

In reply to Ega.

Ega,

I ended up putting the speakers into storage for now after sanding the two caps, acquiring new grille socks, and cleaning them up. The drivers were in worse shape than I thought and I could probably acquire a pair of used 1Ci in better shape for the same expenditure.

Best,

Ian White

By: Ega

Ega — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 23:46:09 +0000

Hi Ian – I’m just curious about the end result of these speakers. Di you restored them, if so could you share some details about your project. I found a pair of 2c for less than $100 but one of them is just a shell the other looks complete (no socks on both). I thought of buying them but I’ve hear is not worth to restore these speakers. I haven’t come across a post saying otherwise.

By: Ian White

Ian White — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 01:10:02 +0000

In reply to Chris long.

Chris,

You are correct. The ones I found have the rubber surrounds but they are not connected to the driver. I already sanded and repainted the cabinet. It was badly scuffed in a bunch of places and I’m not sure I’m getting new socks. I want to see how they sound without them first.

They will be going in my office where I don’t care so much about the final look.

Best,

Ian White

By: Chris long

Chris long — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 18:21:24 +0000

Great read. Looks like a fun project. I too have a pair of Model 2C and find them to be spectacular, but very power hungry. Boosting up my watts made a big difference. I’m curious why the drivers need to be re-foamed. I was led to believe that all the mid-eighties Model 2s had rubber surrounds that should last for decades. In fact, the Vandersteen site says if the surrounds are black, they are rubber. Greyish surrounds are foam and will deteriorate. The photos of yours appear to be black and intact. Is there damage that is not seen? Also, I’ve seen some photos where people used a lighter grey material as a sock and made them much more modern looking. You could actually use any type of spandex material for removable socks held in place with adhesive velcro strips around the top and bottom. There’s hundreds of choices to match any decor. Best of luck with the project.

By: Ian White

Ian White — Wed, 17 May 2023 17:23:40 +0000

In reply to James W Rolland.

James,

Great to find this out. Thank you.

Ian White

By: James W Rolland

James W Rolland — Wed, 17 May 2023 17:22:20 +0000

In reply to Ian White. The 50wpc delivered by the audio Refinement amp is absolutely sufficient.

By: Ian White

Ian White — Tue, 09 May 2023 15:05:31 +0000

In reply to Gavin.

Gavin,

They were set to the default setting and I’m having the better Sound Anchors stands installed.

Best,

Ian

By: Gavin

Gavin — Tue, 09 May 2023 14:58:05 +0000

A cringe worthy aspect for me also is to see if previous owner changed the tone contour levels (tweeter/midrange). They, unless having a hearing problem, should be untouched i.m.o.

Critical also is to read the owners manual regarding proper placement and to apply correct “rake” / angle with a wire and nut.

Not so sure if older models with fixed stands allowed it.

By: Ian White

Ian White — Fri, 05 May 2023 18:00:54 +0000

In reply to Gavin.

Gavin,

I found that out with the staples. Took some time.

I’m having a few things done.

1. Top caps are being refinished. Bottom caps were in decent shape and nobody is looking at them.
2. Both 8″ drivers have to be refoamed.
3. Debating getting new socks. Will be in my office where the dog doesn’t visit very often and I plan on repainting the cabinet in a glossy black. It did have some mould spots and a lot of dust.
4. Having both fully tested by a local Vandersteen dealer than was highly recommended by Richard Vandersteen.
5. Dealer is attaching the Sound Anchor stands.

Best,
Ian White

By: Gavin

Gavin — Fri, 05 May 2023 15:39:24 +0000

Parasound Halo A21 works great on the 2CE signatures.

Recently removed socks also to confirm the passive radiators are in good order as one side was visited and marked quite vigorously by a visitor of the feline kind.

All seems to be in order apart from some surface mould spots and a fair amount of dust of the 8 and 4.5inch woofer and midrange driver.

As they are already been standing for some time it gave me opportunity to try them on a Purify Class D based amp. Suffice to say they still provide great sound.

Just be warned you need lots of patience to remove the great number of staples holding down top of sock and some tricky to reach ones around the crossover plate, especially if you don’t have the ideal tool to remove them.