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Thiel CS 5i, 7.2. and others


Hi Folks:

In reference to an earlier post that I found discussing the merits of Theil's present flagship versus other high priced speakers, it's really true about the passionate opinions about the 7.2.among other's in the line.

Thiel's former sales manager (I believe) really nailed it when he said that the line has a distinctive sound and not everyone goes for it.

For those of you who have seen my posts over the years, you know what side of the argument I am on. The 7.2 is the best overall speaker that I have ever heard and I have heard others costing three times as much or more. I am slowly moving "up the line". First owning a 1.5. and graduating to the 2.3 last year.

Even another speaker I heard that costs $130K, as good as it is, just doesn't sound quite as accurate or natural as the 7.2. does. Granted the $130K speaker is fantastic in other ways, but for my money, I'd still purchase one of Jim's creations. Which leads me to this question: For those of you have heard or better yet owned both the 7.2. and the former flagship (discounting the 7), the CS 5i, What are the strength's and or differences between them? How much better or different is it over the 3.6? Also can anyone tell me how efficient the 5i is?

D.H.
danhirsh
unsound
7,333 posts
 
Larry, all excellent points! I've always thought that Jim's best designs were his sealed boxed ones. I suspect his sealed boxed speakers were better able to maintain the time and phase coherence that were at the very least part of Thiel's hallmarks.
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
Unsound,
You might consider, (if your significant other, assuming you have one, I DO NOT at this point in my life) has not probs with a speaker of that size, selling the 3.5's and getting the CS5's.
They really are quite wonderful--and I can only imagine what they'd sound like with Auricaps and better air core inductors, resisters etc.
Its a shame that Jim only had time to build ONE model with parts of this ilk before he left this mortal coil.
Though I haven't heard the 2.4SE, I am convinced they are remarkably better than the standard versions.

Larry
unsound
7,333 posts
 
Larry, my "significant other" gives me carte blanche on such matters, except of course for expense:-). I've heard the CS5's often, and think they are amongst the best I've ever heard. Unfortunately the amplifier requirements scare me. I am thinking of going to something similar, but easier to drive; Dunlavy SCIVa's
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
Unsound,
One of the salient points I made in other posts was, I used, as a retailer, the Adcom 535 Amplifier, which was rated at 60WPC into 8 ohms. Highish current, but not a HIGH current amp which doubles into progressively lower resistance.
What amp do you have now?
I CAN tell you, and this is opinion based, that the Dunlavy's you mention, don't really compare in terms of resolution, deep, deep bass or imaging density.
AND, as I mentioned previously, if you read it, that one can only imagine, what the CS5's COULD have sounded like with Auricaps or Mundorf Oil/Gold/Silvers in place of the generally mundane parts found in this incredibly heavy crossover that Jim used.
Call me or write, so we can discuss this, lrsky@insightbb.com
Larry
unsound
7,333 posts
 
I've heard the CS5's with Adcom, Krell and Levinson. I didn't care much at all for the the Adcoms, was somehat impressed with the Levinsons, and never heard anything sound quite so good (before) as with the Krells. I have heard the Dunlavy's sound quite good with less expensive amplification than the Cs5's seemed to need for my satisfaction.
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