Thiel Owners

38" ear height is design target.

I imagine there must also be a target distance to the listener, as well, that corresponds to the 38". In Soundstage’s measurements of the CS2.4, they measured at 2 m which is their standard. But the height was a manufacturer-specified 30" from the bottom of the speaker (presumably w/o spikes).

Thiel recommended a minimum of 8’, preferred 10’, extended to 12’. Measured at 3 meters.

The spikes add minimal consequence at the recommended seating distances. Much of the spike length was intended for carpet height piercing. 
For some the energy drain into more vibrant floor boards will negate the spikes advantages.

From the manual for the CS2.4:

Optimum phase and time alignment is provided only for a seated listener who is eight or more feet away from the speakers.

There is no mention of ear height, which is very important for the first order filters (ie, vertical dispersion).

Measured at 3 meters.

That's >twice as far as Stereophile in JA's open air arrangement and 1 m more than Soundstage in their anechoic chamber. Do you know if Thiel had an anechoic chamber? Or did they measure outside? Must have elevated the speaker well off the ground if the latter.

Comparing Stereophile and Thiel measurements (published in Audiophile Journal archived on the Vandersteen website) it's quite clear that Thiel measured from farther away. Not only do the Thiel measurements indicate much flatter frequency response, the waterfall plot is much cleaner than suggested by Stereophile, with a clean initial decay even in the upper midrange.

@beetlemania, I don't think it did too badly at low volumes but I cranked it up pretty quickly to see how it would do with something loud and meaty and it wasn't up to it. I was at the dealer and I didn't spend a whole lot of time listening for subtle differences.  I find that it takes me a long time to make up my mind about whether something is different, better or worse and I can't really do it at the dealer.  I listen to make sure it's about what I want and then take it home and usually need weeks to make up my mind 100%.  

I'm also a believer in having too much power.  It might be my imagination but I think having what would seem to be way more power than necessary makes a difference.  My current setup has 2 200 watts@8ohm/channel amplifiers running bridged mono.  I've had this setup for 10 years or so and I prefer it.