Thiel Owners

Sometimes you take it for granted what you have.  After hearing a few garden varieties speakers even at pretty high price, you realize how good the CS2.4.  The only thing I wish for is a bit more bass and I suspect some would agree.  I guess the solution is:

1. If you like 2.4 but something better, then try to get another 7 ... that is either 2.7 or 3.7.
2. If you still want to keep the 2.4, upgrade the xover with audiophile quality caps.
3. Augment the CS2.4 with two high quality sub's - one for the left and oe for the right channel.  

Andy - I second your motion. As car guys say, the least expensive option is the one you have. So if you have 2.4s, then upgrading resistors and caps is a huge bang for the buck.

I concur with the 2 sub solution. The CS2 - 8" woofer just can't move tons of air. Two smaller subs definitely trumps one larger one. I use Thiel SmartSubs . . . just because. But they are noisy and not presently repairable, so I can't recommend them. If you can cross a pair of subs properly, everything gets big.

If you already have CS2.4 the XO upgrade is a no-brainer, IMO. Sure, it’s not the last word in low bass extension and definition but not much music happens below 30 cycles. You’re missing only some organ notes and the left most key or two on a piano. As for the 99% of the musical spectrum, oh my goodness!

If you’re really pining for everything, adding a pair of subs seems sensible. I would probably get the new Vandersteen adjustable versions if I had the funds. Or patiently wait for used Thiel subs and XO to come up on the used market. 

If you’re not yet an owner and wondering what Thiel to buy, there is zero doubt in my mind that the 3.7/2.7 coax is the best Thiel driver ever, and I would put it among the best from any manufacturer. Super low resonance design so you’re hearing music, not distortion. The 2.4 coax is excellent in this regard but the low slope crossover is a real challenge, and the wavy x.7 coax really solves this problem. If Tom Thiel comes up with an upgrade for the 3.7 . . .

Andy - I second your motion. As car guys say, the least expensive option is the one you have. So if you have 2.4s, then upgrading resistors and caps is a huge bang for the buck.

It's just so happen that my current car is a 2004 model so I would agree :-).  

Beetle - a 3.7 upgrade is quite straightforward since the drivers are so well behaved, there is not much circuitry in there. The tweeter caps could be upgraded to CSAs with perhaps an ultra bypass around the 1uF styrene/tin. Electrolytics to film for permanence. Resistors to Mills MRAs. Film feed coil on the woofer. More upgrade for less cost than the more complex 2.4.

You'll see more from me after the Thiel Audio bankruptcy settles.

Tom