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Founded in 1977 by Richard Vandersteen in Hanford, California, Vandersteen Audio has established itself as one of America's most respected high-end speaker manufacturers, with the Model 2 becoming the best-selling audiophile loudspeaker of the modern era with over 100,000 pairs sold. After acquiring electrical engineering training while serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, Vandersteen returned to his hometown of Hanford, California, where he began building speakers for himself and selling them through local hi-fi stores. The company became official in 1977 with show orders in hand, and has remained in continuous production since, with all speakers still built in Hanford, California. Under Richard's leadership, Vandersteen pioneered patented reflection-free aerodynamic midrange drivers and became the only remaining speaker manufacturer worldwide where the entire line is time and phase correct. The iconic Model 2, which debuted in 1977 for $890 per pair, has evolved through multiple iterations (2A, 2B, 2C) to the current 2Ce Signature III, maintaining unprecedented popular demand for over four decades. Now a family business with all of Richard's children involved, Vandersteen Audio continues to refine their technology while maintaining their dealer-focused business model and commitment to American manufacturing excellence.