Thiel Owners
Guys - Just saw a pair of 3.7 on eBay. Some dings and scratches, but there are still some to be had in the used market. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thiel-CS3-7-Loudspeakers-Cherry-Finish-Cosmetic-Flaws-Local-Pickup-Only-/252... |
robinbarbour... I just checked those 3.7's on eBay per your suggestion and would have to admit that the cosmetic imperfections wouldn't truly irk me any if I were in the market. I would bid lower because of them however. There's a pair of 3.5's on here listed as "mint" with the photos showing a dimpled tweeter - hardly worthy of the mint claim and, at $750, a tad higher than what similar condition 3.5's go for. Because of their relatively small size - for Thiel - 3.5's seem to suffer more cabinet imperfections than 3.6 and above, which is understandable. A pair of Klipsch CF-3's that I bought 24 years ago sported a couple of living room paint spatters and a number of cabinet scratches from various furniture rearrangements and whatnot. I am curious as hell as to how those 3.7's sound but, alas, without a chance to hear them in person...sheesh. Then again, I have yet had an opportunity to audition a Thiel prior to purchasing, and have yet to be disappointed. Lucky me! Perhaps the most surprising thing about this thread is the fact that almost all of the participants have purchased Thiel used - and still sing high praises. I consider myself very fortunate to have discovered this thread, equally fortunate to have gotten sober advice from the likes of jafant, unsound, nkonor, and many others. As jafant related in a previous post, I too, remember vividly when I hooked my 2.2's ( ! ) up and was amazed before I made it back to my chair. Then came the 2.3's, two pairs of 3.5's, and now the 3.6's. Unless a pair of 3.7's come up locally and the financial stars align for me, my 3.6's are, until then, my favorite. It just doesn't get better than this. Cheers to Jim! |
Much Thanks! for the kind words- oblgny I would suggest a demo if possible on a pair of CS 2.7 or 3.7 only for the fact that those last driver designs prior to JT's passing are a little different from his older (including my CS 2.4SE) drivers/designs. Personally, I have not heard his design(s) outside of the "CS" series. Still, from you guys that own and cherish those vintage models, I venture to report that the time/phase coherency is in full effect. Very impressive! Having heard and spent time w/ the CS 2.4, 2.4SE, 2.7 and 3.7, I can easily report that all of those models are outstanding in their own right. I chose the CS 2.4 SE as I found it to be a little sweeter on all fronts, plus, my listening space (not large enough) to provide the 3.7 its proper due. Another factor would require a monster solid state power amp over-and-above for the 3.7 model to really "sing". Yes, by all means, get out there and listen to those 2.7/3.7 models as they appear in the used market. Between Audiogon, eBay and Craigslist, the odds are favorable that you will find one. I will continue to do my part , like robinbarbour, to report them as they pop up for sale. Happy Listening! |
