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Opposite of Thiel

Got the bug. Love my new Thiel CS2.4 loudspeakers. Thinking of getting rid of my Eminent Technology LFT-8b planars, mostly because they're so damn big. They do sound glorious, though.

So if I picked up another pair of speakers physically on the size of the Thiels or smaller, what would be a great candidate with a wholly different set of attributes than the Thiels? Here is what I love about my CS2.4's:

-- resolution & detail
-- frequency response
-- ruthless treatment of upstream equipment + recording

So I'm thinking I might want to try something eminently "musical", maybe not full-range, but sweet and euphonic with a broad, deep soundstage and great fun factor. Pinpoint imaging may not be necessary, but I have to say I love that huge soundstage my planars provide.

Amp: Bryston 4BSST2
Preamp: Parasound Halo JC-2
CD: Cambridge Audio 840C
Turntable: VPI Traveler with Dynavector HO MC cartridge

Budget is $5K or less. Some brands that have caught my eye:

Paradigm S2
Proac
Dynaudio

Smaller, narrow electrostats?

Any thoughts are appreciated.
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kernelbob
51 posts
 
At your price target, I'd suggest checking out the Von Schweikert VR33 which lists at $4500 a pair. The fully tricked-out version is the VR35.

Alternatively, I heard the VR22 at RMAF this year and ended up purchasing a pair as a graduation gift. These are real overachievers, competitive well beyond their $2850 a pair price (factory direct including shipping) with a 90 day in-home trial.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I agree with Yashu. I had the Proac Response 2.5's myself and recommend them highly. It sounds like the type of speaker that you are asking before in your original post.

Also, I want to add to my first post for clarification. My post kind of sounds like I'm not recommending the Vandersteen's because they aren't good in some way. Nothing could be further from the truth. Vandersteen is my favourite speaker. The OP asked for a speaker that was the opposite of his Thiels. The only point I was trying to make is that they are not the opposite. The Thiels do share some of the same characteristics. That's all I meant to say.
unsound
7,336 posts
 
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-10303654-47.html
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
Any of the original Sonus Faber line. In that range, the original Cremona are the sweet spot. The newer Cremona M are not as "musical" as the old Cremona. People say the original Cremona are colored in the mid-range, but that is what makes them "musical". You can find used original Cremona for $4K or less these days.

I use Thiel 1.6 in my theater for detail and slam and Cremona in my 2 channel for sweetness.

As an aside, I find the 840c to be pretty "digital". It may be contributing to the sound you have with the Thiels. But the turntable should be very "musical". A more musical tube pre-amp or amp may also give you a more musical sound.
luna
235 posts
 
I had Thiel 2.2, 2.4, 3.6 for many years. I also had Harbeths HL5S which has completely opposite character. Not coloured but very musical with less resolution. Proac is in between.
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