Thiel Owners

I am interested in developing a "felt need" list of priorities for legacy Thiel upgrades. The 3.5 with its EQ might be a candidate, but I need more than a hunch. I can tell you that the equalizer was dear to Jim's heart as a good solution to the problem of deep bass and that it was abandoned due to dealer feedback including association with Bose's marginal implementation. Would a souped-up CS3.5 have value?

Hello Tom,

I, for one, would be highly interested in seeing/hearing what a souped-up 3.5 can do!!! I have decided to build my system around these amazing speakers. In fact, I recently replaced my Denon PMA-2000 IVR integrated (very good sounding, Mid-Fi or not!) with an ARC LS-7 line stage, PH-3 phono pre-amp and D240 MKII amp...all in effort to make the Thiels sing just that much better!

I have always used the Bass EQ. While there were those who preferred not to use it for purity-sake, I always felt that there had to be something to it if Jim Thiel designed it specifically for the 3.5's. With it, it wasn't hard to hear  that the 3.5’s played lower, with more power and clarity, than my previous Martin Logan set-up (Motion LX-16 monitors WITH a Dynamo 300 subwoofer) ever did...This is truly a full-range speaker.  It didn't take me long to realize that I've finally found speakers that I could live with for a very long time.

Anyway, excuse my ramblings. Yes, a "super" version of a 3.5 would be an awesome idea, one I’m sure any owner, previous or current, would be interested in.

Thanks for your participation in our discussions...your insights and observations have been very informative and revelatory.

Arvin

Heck yeah, I'd be interested in souped up 3.5's!

You bet your ass a souped up version of the 3.5’s would have an audience!

With regards to the EQ,  I always had it engaged, when it wasn’t the sound was less...something.  To my humble ears the 3.5’s also have a more distinct mid and high impression.  I also figure that Jim Thiel’s reason for it was worth adhering to since I know NOTHING about designing/engineering a loudspeaker.

I had a very hard time of it warming up to my 3.6’s unless I really threw some juice at them, and even my 20/20 hindsight favored the 3.5’s.  

I emailed Rob the other day inquiring as to whether he might have discovered some 3.5 cabinets lying about but, alas, he didn’t.  I still have a complete set of guts from a pair and was thinking re-investing in them.  Yes, I am looking for another pair. Them midranges is the weak spot buying used, and many of the pairs on eBay are in pretty poor condition if you look closely. 

I’m currently enjoying a new pair of Maggie 1.7i’s that are staring back at me, almost aware of the fact that they’re perhaps temporary.  One thing that they do share with my appreciation for 3.5 is this great snappiness in the highs.  I’m listening to a bunch of Bill Frisell stuff right now and what I recall from my 3.5’s is this excellent articulation.  Hell, even Jim Thiel admired what planars can do.  

I just missed a Pass Labs INT 150 the other day. Couldn’t have been available for more than a day. They sell fast off the Reno site.  

Grrrrrr....