340SE's compared to Vandersteen?

[texaspledge]

I have been enjoying my all Ascend 7 speaker setup for about 6 months. No complaints. However, like clockwork the upgrade bug comes back to get me to check out some other gear. Knowing what I know now I learn to never change equipment without a demo first and often I decide to keep my current setup finding it a preference.

I've always been eyeing Vandersteen as an almost universally well reviewed brand with good value for money and am interested in hearing them. Probably the 2CE Signatures. Some may or may not consider this a fair comparison to the 340SE's at the different price points but nevertheless:

Has anyone compared Ascend to Vandersteen and can comment?

Thanks

[curtis]

The 2CEs are very nice, but very different in their presentation, and much dependent on placement. I like them, they provide a wide and deep soundstage when in a good setup, but I would call them more "polite" or "softer' than my 340SE's, and they are not small speakers.

Take that with a grain of salt, and have a listen.