Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Carbon drivers improve sound
- Tunable bass system allows the listener to tune the bass for each speaker and its position in the room in the analog domain
- Time-and-phase accurate to make the listening experience more musically engaging
Product Considerations
- The spacing between the wiring screws is rather small, meaning that some spades may be too wide to fit
- Requires a specific 'right spot' for optimal sound
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to KEF LS50's, the Vandersteen Quatro Wood CTs destroy the LS50 wireless, and it's not even close
- Compared to the GoldenEar Triton Reference, the GoldenEars have a lot more top-octave energy than the Vandersteens, though their midrange balance is more even
Takeaway: The Quatro Wood CTs offer a clear musical experience with a tunable bass system and time-and-phase accuracy to enhance musical engagement. Its carbon drivers give the product improved and high-quality sound.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Quatro Wood CT
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Tweeter: 1" Exclusive Aerodynamic Dual-Chamber, Transmission-Line Loaded Carbon Dome with Ferrofluid Voice-Coil Cooling
- Midrange: 4.5" Reflection-Free Tri-Woven Composite Cone with Die-Cast Aerodynamic Basket and Magnet System with Ferrofluid Voice-Coil Cooling
- Mid-Woofer: 6.5" Woven-Fiber Cone and Precision-Formed Magnet Assembly Copper Faraday Ring
- Subwoofer: (2) 8" Carbon-Loaded Cellulose-Cone Drivers with Long-Throw Motor Assemblies
- Subwoofer Amplifier: 250-Watt High-Current Power-Factor Corrected Amplifier
- Recommended Amplification: 40-200 Watts Into 8 Ohms
- Frequency Response: 24Hz – 40kHz +/- 2dB
- Sensitivity: 87 dB, 1 meter/2.83 volt input
- Impedance: 8 ohms +/- 3 ohms
- Crossovers: First order/6dB per octave, 100Hz, 900Hz, 5kHz
- Input Terminals: Barrier strips, 7/16" max width
- Dimensions (WHD): 10" x 43" x 19"
- Weight: 110 lbs. Ea. Net
Description
Vandersteen Audio introduces the Quatro Wood CT, the latest evolution in speaker technology and sound quality to derive from the research & development efforts that delivered the patented carbon-fiber Perfect-Piston drivers used in the flagship Model 7. While the Perfect-Piston Tweeter used in the Model 7 is the fully embodied deal of high-frequency purity and resolution, the Quatro Wood CT (Carbon Tweeter) features the superb Carbon Tweeter from the renowned Model 5A Carbon.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Vandersteen designs emphasize time and phase coherence through the use of first-order crossovers, which require drivers with exceptional linearity and bandwidth.
- They are known for their "form-follows-function" aesthetic, prioritizing sound quality over visual flash, often resulting in understated designs.
- Vandersteen loudspeakers often include user-adjustable controls, such as midrange and tweeter level adjustments or multi-band bass equalization, to optimize performance in different listening environments.
- They prioritize seamless driver integration, aiming to present a cohesive sonic presentation, rather than drawing attention to individual drivers.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Model 1Ci+
- Positioning: The entry-level speaker in the Vandersteen lineup, offering a taste of the brand's sonic excellence at an affordable price.
- Description: Praised for its incredible value, providing a sample of the Model 2's sonic excellence in a smaller, easy-to-drive package. Unlike the more advanced models like the Treo CT, it lacks the powered-bass system but still delivers excellent sound quality with its dual-chamber alloy dome tweeter and mineral-filled polycone woofer, making it ideal for budget-conscious buyers or those with smaller rooms.
Model 3A Signature
- Positioning: Serves as a bridge between the entry-level and high-end models, offering high performance with advanced components.
- Description: Known for its big sound and detailed musicality, features a dual-chamber metal-alloy dome tweeter and a unique midrange driver that reduces internal diffraction. While it doesn't have the powered subwoofer of the Quatro Wood CT, it provides a cohesive and smooth sound.
Treo CT
- Positioning: A mid-range model that offers high-end features in a more compact and affordable package.
- Description: Features the patented Perfect-Piston Carbon Tweeter, providing exceptional air and space in sound reproduction. It shares the same driver complement as the Quatro Wood CT but lacks the powered-bass system.
Quatro Wood CT
- Positioning: A high-performance model that incorporates advanced technologies from Vandersteen's flagship speakers.
- Description: Features the Carbon Tweeter from the Model 5A Carbon, offering exceptional resolution and imaging. It includes a powered subwoofer section with dual 8" subwoofers, unlike the Treo CT, providing powerful bass performance.
KēNTO Carbon
- Positioning: A premium model, offering advanced features at a historic price point.
- Description: Combines elements from the Model Seven MK II and Quatro CT, including side-firing Counterforce pistonic bass drivers. It offers a level of adjustment and integration not found in the Quatro Wood CT.
Model Seven XTRM
- Positioning: The flagship model, representing the pinnacle of Vandersteen's speaker technology.
- Description: Features Perfect-Piston drivers and a recalibrated internal amplifier. Unlike the KēNTO Carbon, it offers the ultimate in time-and-phase correct audio reproduction.
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Avg. Product Price
$20,001-$30,000
Used For Sale
72
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
95
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
18
Founding Year
1977
Our take on the brand
Vandersteen Audio is distinguished by its time and phase coherence in speaker design, where all drivers move in unison through their first-order crossover design and Perfect-Piston drivers made of carbon-fiber and balsa wood. The brand's speakers feature a minimum baffle approach to reduce reflections, while focusing on high-quality internal components over elaborate cabinet designs, with models like the Seven XTRM offering precise bass response customization through adjustable trim pots.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
.
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Used
Vandersteen
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
Focal
Diva Utopia
39999
39999
/
7
Reviews
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
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Product Strengths
- Excellent clarity, detail resolution, and agility in sound reproduction
- Impressive bass definition and punch, delivering huge amounts of bass effortlessly
- Combines muscularity, insight, scale, and attack for an engaging listening experience
- Design is unique and striking, with impeccable build quality and a flawless finish
- Offers extensive specification and numerous control options, all implemented expertly
Product Considerations
- Sonic presentation might be a little too 'safe' or 'civilizing', potentially losing some of the vibrant energy in music
- Lacks some features compared to competitors regarding connectivity and adjustability
- Requires a large listening space to avoid overpowering the room
- The provided remote casing feels cheap and insubstantial compared to the overall package
- Room correction (ADAPT) is not as automated or precise as some other systems and the application may crash
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs KEF LS60 Wireless: KEF LS60 offers more flexibility, including a subwoofer output, but at higher volumes, Focal Diva is the clear winner
- Vs Bang & Olufsen Beolab 90: Beolab 90 is in a league of its own and provides a more complete audio experience
- Vs Scala Utopia Evo: Diva Utopia is cheaper in the long run, as the Scala Utopia Evo needs additional components, such as Naim Classic components
- Vs Diablo Utopia Color Evos: The Color Evos may represent the ultimate Focal experience
Takeaway: The Diva Utopia is an all-in-one speaker with impressive sound that expertly combines performance and design. It offers a unique blend of luxury and high-end audio quality that can be enjoyed by anyone looking for a simplified audiophile experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
Product Page
Product Page
Kii
Three BXT
31155
31155
/
6
Reviews
Elegant and powerful, our BXT turns any pair of Kii THREE into unrivaled floor-standing speakers.
Kii Audio's unique "Active Wave Focusing" technology creates a cardioid pattern that minimizes room reflections and directs sound energy forward, allowing their speakers to maintain consistent sound quality even when placed near walls or corners. Each Kii THREE speaker uses six custom Ncore amplifiers and multiple DACs with advanced DSP processing to deliver full-range sound from a compact design that outperforms much larger systems.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- When combined with the BXT module, the system delivers tight, dynamic, and nuanced bass reproduction
- The addition of the BXT allows the system to reveal subtle details in the lower frequencies that are typically missed
- The BXT system offers a balanced sound, with the midrange frequencies benefiting from the addition of the BXT module
- Are relieved of some bass duties, letting them focus more on the mids
- The combination with the BXT module creates a cardioid dispersion pattern, reducing reflections from side and rear walls—minimizing the influence of room acoustics
- Ease of use is another strength of the concept
Product Considerations
- Some perceive it as sounding 'too digital' or 'too analytical' on its own, lacking the warmth of other speakers, but the BXT module helps to address this
- The display on the Kii Control is considered small, making it difficult to read in poor lighting conditions
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Versus ATC speakers, ATC speakers have a warmer, more colorful sound
Takeaway: The system, especially when paired with the BXT module, delivers exceptional sound quality with deep, controlled bass and reduced room interaction. For those wanting a system with great clarity and power, this could be a good pick.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Kii Audio's unique "Active Wave Focusing" technology creates a cardioid pattern that minimizes room reflections and directs sound energy forward, allowing their speakers to maintain consistent sound quality even when placed near walls or corners. Each Kii THREE speaker uses six custom Ncore amplifiers and multiple DACs with advanced DSP processing to deliver full-range sound from a compact design that outperforms much larger systems.
Product Page
Product Page
ATC
SCM150 ASL
39251
39251
/
1
Reviews
ATC is distinguished by manufacturing all drivers in-house and using a unique dual-suspension system in their tweeters that enhances stability without ferro-fluid. The brand, widely used in recording studios, features sealed cabinet designs for tight bass control and a proprietary 75mm soft-dome midrange driver that delivers precise, uncolored sound.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Astonishing control, detail, coherence, and extension due to 200 Watts being connected directly to the bass driver
- The new ATC tweeter is more revealing yet sweeter than the SEAS unit it replaces, making the speaker more charming without losing transparency
Product Considerations
- Installation potentially difficult, as it is a large and heavy speaker, weighing 75kg each
- Bass performance reveals flaws in recordings that are tweaked to sound good on most speakers
Takeaway: The ATC SCM150 ASL speakers deliver clean and controlled sound with impressive detail and extension, making them ideal for critical listening. The new tweeter improves upon previous versions, offering a sweeter and more revealing sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
ATC is distinguished by manufacturing all drivers in-house and using a unique dual-suspension system in their tweeters that enhances stability without ferro-fluid. The brand, widely used in recording studios, features sealed cabinet designs for tight bass control and a proprietary 75mm soft-dome midrange driver that delivers precise, uncolored sound.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
ATC
SCM50
24499
/
Released
The SCM50 ASL (active) and SCM50 SL (passive) are designed to perform at their best in the recording studio or at home with the finest quality hi-fi equipment. The monitors' ability to reproduce music and speech with phenomenal accuracy, transparency and dynamics lies mainly in the SM75-150S soft dome midrange driver.
ATC is distinguished by manufacturing all drivers in-house and using a unique dual-suspension system in their tweeters that enhances stability without ferro-fluid. The brand, widely used in recording studios, features sealed cabinet designs for tight bass control and a proprietary 75mm soft-dome midrange driver that delivers precise, uncolored sound.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- ATC designs and builds every drive unit in-house, including voice coils, crossovers, and active amplification, allowing for complete control over every loudspeaker design decision
- In the active version, a more clearly defined soundstage has clearer, more well-defined individual elements, where everything pops out more from the background
- The active version has more energy, drive, and a more vivid overall presentation, resulting in a more tactile, energetic, and higher resolution sound
- The SCM50's woofer has an enviable ability to resolve textures and timbral colors, capably rendering the skins of bass drums, the flutter of tom-toms, or the dark voicing of orchestral bass viols as bows are dragged across their strings
- The SCM50 has an almost eerie immediacy that seems to glean the intent of the musician before their bow touches the string or a note escapes their lips, making piano reproduction breathtaking
- Connectivity is limited to a single XLR input, which may require adapters for single-ended sources
Product Considerations
- The active version is heavier than the passive version
- The owner must manually turn each speaker on and off, as there is no trigger or auto startup circuit
- The active version may pose challenges for owners of subwoofers needing high-level wiring connections, although workarounds exist
- Careful attention must be paid to positioning a pair of SCM50s, as the full-bandwidth—ported design means that placing them too close to a boundary wall will result in bass bloom
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- SCM50 wins hands down over PureAudioProject Duet 15s for resolution, clarity, and dynamic shading
- The active version excels over the passive in solidity of soundstage, neutrality, and ultimate detail retrieval
Takeaway: The ATC SCM50 offers exceptional sound quality, whether in its active or passive configuration, thanks to ATC's engineering and in-house design. The ATC SCM50 is a choice that will bring musical joy for years to come.
Video review
Our take on the brand
ATC is distinguished by manufacturing all drivers in-house and using a unique dual-suspension system in their tweeters that enhances stability without ferro-fluid. The brand, widely used in recording studios, features sealed cabinet designs for tight bass control and a proprietary 75mm soft-dome midrange driver that delivers precise, uncolored sound.
Product Page
Product Page
ATC
SCM50ASL
23607
/
Released
The SCM50 ASL (active) and SCM50 SL (passive) are designed to perform at their best in the recording studio or at home with the finest quality hi-fi equipment. The monitors’ ability to reproduce music and speech with phenomenal accuracy, transparency and dynamics lies mainly in the SM75-150S soft dome midrange driver. However, recent modifications that include the new ATC SH25-76S tweeter and enhanced port profile have brought about further improvements to all performance parameters.
ATC is distinguished by manufacturing all drivers in-house and using a unique dual-suspension system in their tweeters that enhances stability without ferro-fluid. The brand, widely used in recording studios, features sealed cabinet designs for tight bass control and a proprietary 75mm soft-dome midrange driver that delivers precise, uncolored sound.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Improved phase or timing enhances stereo imaging and creates a clearer overall picture
- The active version removes a 'filter' between the listener and the original source, making music more intense, energetic—and vivid—resulting in higher resolution audio
- Vocals are presented bigger, taller, grander in scale, with more detail and insight—most impressively—how natural they sound
- Dynamics and micro-detail are impressive, expressed in ambient noises, breaths of singers—and fingernails of guitarists
- ATC monitors are designed to provide the best from both areas: detailed and accurate with limited dynamic range, and professional monitors with great dynamic range and fidelity
Product Considerations
- ATC speakers like to be played loudly, like the original event, and live music isn't created at volume levels for going to sleep; if you like to be lulled by your audio system, look elsewhere
- The speakers get quite a bit heavier with the amplifier packs in them
- You have to manually turn each speaker on and off, as there is no trigger system designed into them
- System organisation and cabling has to be considered because it might be quite different to how you have things wired now in a passive system, and this could mean extra cost on top
- If you don't have an amplifier to connect your high level wiring to, you would need to either use a preamplifier with an output you can use, or maybe use a splitter on the balanced cable
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs ATC SCM50 PSL (Passive): The active SCM50 ASL is more vivid overall, while the passive is more 'cuddly'
- Vs ATC SCM20: The 50s are more like the same person—only bigger
Takeaway: The SCM50 ASL offers a technically better and more vivid listening experience due to its active design, bringing listeners closer to the original sound. If one wants a speaker for serious listening and appreciate high-resolution audio, this could be a great choice.
Video review
Our take on the brand
ATC is distinguished by manufacturing all drivers in-house and using a unique dual-suspension system in their tweeters that enhances stability without ferro-fluid. The brand, widely used in recording studios, features sealed cabinet designs for tight bass control and a proprietary 75mm soft-dome midrange driver that delivers precise, uncolored sound.
Product Page
Product Page
Cabasse
The Pearl Pelegrina
26237
/
Released
2021
Cabasse, a French hifi brand with roots dating back to 1742 in musical instrument making, is renowned for its unique coaxial speaker design where all sound waves emanate from a single point. Their flagship product, La Sphère, features a distinctive four-way coaxial drive unit array, while their patented HELD technology uses multiband dynamic signal processing to enhance bass dynamics without distortion.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Houses everything needed to play digital music
- Equipped with DSP and room correction for a seamless room-filling fit
- Reproduces music with superb control and an expansive sound image
- Offers finely textured and richly saturated sound
Product Considerations
- Speakers that don't look like every other speaker can be polarizing
Takeaway: The Pearl Pelegrina is a wireless active loudspeaker that houses everything needed to play digital music, offering a seamless room-filling fit with superb control and finely textured sound. It could be worth buying for those seeking an all-in-one speaker solution with a unique design.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Cabasse, a French hifi brand with roots dating back to 1742 in musical instrument making, is renowned for its unique coaxial speaker design where all sound waves emanate from a single point. Their flagship product, La Sphère, features a distinctive four-way coaxial drive unit array, while their patented HELD technology uses multiband dynamic signal processing to enhance bass dynamics without distortion.
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Product Page
Zu
Definition 6
25000
/
Released
2022
Since it's been well over a decade since the first deliveries of Definition 4, let's cover what' familiar: The classic Definition form factor. The ongoing Definition proposition is to deliver the maximum musical performance possible in about 1 square foot of floor space, per speaker. Hence, Definition Six retain the just under 13" x 13" [33 cm] square footprint of prior Definitions, but it's a little taller—54" [137 cm] without feet, instead of the older speaker's 49" [125 cm] height.
Zu Audio is an American hifi brand that builds speakers using their unique Zu-Griewe technology, originally developed for motorcycle exhaust systems, to manage acoustic impedance and reduce standing waves. Their speakers feature a full-range driver design with no crossover network and are particularly efficient with tube amps, making them popular among rock music enthusiasts who appreciate their ability to handle high volumes without distortion.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Very dynamic presentation, with quick stop and start speeds that leave little off the table
- Natural and even-handed tones from the wide array of drivers
- Cohesive structure with plenty of low-end support
- High efficiency (101 dB), allowing them to be driven by tubes
Product Considerations
- Build times are around 8 weeks
Takeaway: The Zu Audio Definition 6 offers a very dynamic and realistic listening experience with natural tones. They are also high efficiency, making them a great option for use with tubes.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Zu Audio is an American hifi brand that builds speakers using their unique Zu-Griewe technology, originally developed for motorcycle exhaust systems, to manage acoustic impedance and reduce standing waves. Their speakers feature a full-range driver design with no crossover network and are particularly efficient with tube amps, making them popular among rock music enthusiasts who appreciate their ability to handle high volumes without distortion.
Product Page
Product Page
ATC
SCM100 ASL
27553
/
Released
The SCM100 ASL (active) and SCM100 SL (passive) are designed to perform at their best with the finest quality hi-fi equipment. Like their smaller brother, the SCM50 ASL, the monitors’ ability to reproduce music and speech with phenomenal accuracy, transparency and dynamics lies mainly in the SM75-150S soft dome midrange driver. However, recent modifications that include an upgraded tweeter and enhanced port profile have brought about further improvements in all performance parameters. Bass performance is equally impressive, thanks to ATC’s 12″ professional level bass driver that incorporates the company’s unique Super Linear Magnet technology. Bass, mid and HF drive units in the active model have their own dedicated and individually matched MOSFET amplifiers.
ATC is distinguished by manufacturing all drivers in-house and using a unique dual-suspension system in their tweeters that enhances stability without ferro-fluid. The brand, widely used in recording studios, features sealed cabinet designs for tight bass control and a proprietary 75mm soft-dome midrange driver that delivers precise, uncolored sound.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Straightforward, direct, and honest sound
- Extremely listenable top end that's toned down a mite
- Solid and pleasing midrange
- Rock solid bass
- Exhibits a family sound between the models, making it difficult to distinguish between them, at least in this context
Product Considerations
- Price may be high compared to the UK price
Takeaway: The SCM100ASLT Active Driver Tower loudspeaker has an honest and pleasing sound with solid bass. It encourages you to get up and dance.
Video review
Our take on the brand
ATC is distinguished by manufacturing all drivers in-house and using a unique dual-suspension system in their tweeters that enhances stability without ferro-fluid. The brand, widely used in recording studios, features sealed cabinet designs for tight bass control and a proprietary 75mm soft-dome midrange driver that delivers precise, uncolored sound.
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