Wilson Benesch Torus and Thiel SS2 subwoofers

As I mentioned, Thiel developed completely new amplifier for their SS2, SS3 and SS4 subwoofers. New amplifier design is similar to the amplifier used in SS1 subwoofer but with double power output. Probably the new design was necessary because older design in SS2-SS4 subs have had unfixable high residual digital noise which was quite loud and disturbing during listening and at idle. For me such high level of noise in such expensive subwoofer is really a shame for such manufacturer like Thiel. I can’t understand why this obviously necessary improvement took few years since subwoofer line introduction.

I received my SS2 at the end of 2008 with old amplifier and level of noise was not to be accepted. I was ready to return the sub and find something else, but instead I received new amplifier. Their started to supply subs with new amp since beginning of 2009.

With new amplifier the residual noise is significantly lower, however not gone completely.
I am very sensitive on that but now it is non an issue here.

The main differences:

-new amplifier has completely new construction. It is dual mono of SS1 amplifiers.

-new amps is much lighter because instead of big and heavy toroidal transformer in power supply it has switching power supply. The whole sub is much lighter than manual stays and it is not good for the sub, because it is more sensitive for rattling. Thiel claims that new switching power supply allows the sub to work faster witch more punch. I did not compared old and new side by side so can’t confirm.

- new amp does not have handles on the panel and do not have LED display.

- room boundary compensation circuit was preserved but now you do not setting the distances from the wall by pushing the three buttons, but you have three rotary potentiometers. For me it is downgrade, because you do not see on the display precise setting, but Thiel claims that it is upgrade because potentiometers allow continuous regulation instead old one in steps.

- with old design you could switch off green LED on front panel by pushing and holding one of the switches at the back. In new design you can’t do this and green LED still glow during operation. In completely darkened room during movie projection it is disturbing. The only solution is to disconnect wires internally.

- I am not sure if that feature was in old amp, but new one has trigger input allowing to switch on with other components in system.

All changes mentioned above does not matter for me. The only think that matters is lower noise floor. Regardless Thiel subs are fantastic performer, however a bit overpriced.

The other thing worth to mention. Thiel subs were reviewed many times – NO ONE reviewer mentioned about this noise! Are they deaf? Think about it…

Milimetr

Your comments
"Thiel sub in comparison with Torus can go audibly lower in bass, but the most important difference is that Thiel subwoofer is capable of output very resolved sound and definitely more punchy bass. Thiel bass is short, deep and punchy."

beg for a response. I have never been to any live performance were I could honestly say the band/orchestra had a "punchy" bass. Punchy is just not a musical term, at least in my mind. No the Torus does not have a punchy bass it will however reproduce the actual music. The Torus amplifier has a set of switches on the bottom that allow you to adjust the low frequency roll off. If you would like to go lower you might want to adjust those to the lowest possible output. I roll mine off at 20hz. (not into organs).

I think some users who are not used to such a clean and tight bass might be surprised by the sound of the Torus. Unlike everyother sub I have heard it will complete disappear. An unlike every other sub I have heard it does not double up.

Spend some time with the upper lead in frequency. That also makes a large difference in the overall sound. I bring in the Torus at about 60 hz with the Wilson benesch Curves and about 40 hz with the Wilson benesch A.C.T.'s.

Every speaker is going to be different.

I would like to report effects of Thiel SS2 and Torus comparison. After few days Torus improved their performance and now is quite pleasure to listen. I made direct comparison between subs by connecting Thiel with passive crossover to the left channel and Torus amplifier at high level signal to the right main amplifier channel. Using balance I have quick comparison between two subs.

However I am sure that both subwoofers received different signal. Torus was rolled off by their amplifier filter at given frequency, Thiel received signal from passive crossover and the roll off point seemed to be considerably higher than with Torus. Thiel received not only bass signal but also some part of middle frequency signal and this probably caused the impression of more punchy bass.

Torus is indeed great subwoofer. Is has rock solid and dead quiet cabinet, so there in not boxy sound from that. The only feature is missing is Room boundary compensation feature available in Thiel subwoofers. Without this feature Torus positioned near the walls can sound a little boomy, but there are laws of physics. I can agree that it produce bass so different than typical subwoofer that it can be hard with proper interpretation at the beginning.

Milimetr

Try placing the Torus directly in between the two main speakers. I know this is a bit of a shocker but in that location you will actually improve the sound stage, imaging and sense of air. It works almost like a center fill loudspeaker.

Sounds Real Audio

I have a pair of discoveries with the Torus. Im having difficulty balancing the two. I get way too much bass but if i turn down the volume on the Torus, i lose the benefits of imaging etc. Can you suggest a setting for the low filter and ideal crossover for the discoveries? The discoveries are about 18 inches from the rear wall and 12 inches from the side wall, toed in. Thanks