Thiel Owners

The long-term mutually productive relationship between Thiel and Magnepan may be of interest here. We shared a large majority of our dealers. Dave Gordon came from Magnepan to be Thiel's national sales manager for a decade or more, when he returned there. Both products were well driven by the same source chains. But their presentation was fundamentally different. A Thiel speaker acts as a point source, reproducing what the microphone heard (if we ignore all chain anomalies.) A Magnepan acts as a large dipole, creating its signature sound field in the playback room (augmenting what the microphone heard.) The two approaches aren't really competitive, they are thoroughly different. It is not uncommon for listeners to have two systems, one built around each type of speaker. 

One of Thiel's first reviews was from Scott Estes writing for "The Sensible Sound", who was and remained a committed Magnepan user. He appreciated in print the Thiel presentation, but he wasn't tempted to trade in his Maggies. Hello Scott, if you're out there.

The tweeter and the midrange of the left speaker of my 3.5 just do not work. I was listening at high volume in the attempt to override the hiss and noise from the right channel when all of a sudden only the woofer was working. Any tought? Anyone with the same issue? Thank you

Interesting dialogue about Thiel and Maggie’s...

Previously, I’ve stated that Thiel struck me as Maggies with more bass. I stick with that. 

I’ve had two pairs of the MMG -.one with the bass module which did ZIP to augment anything good about them - a pair of 3.6qr,  a pair of 1.7 and a pair of 1.7i. With the exception of the MMG the one thing that kept me from keeping any of the others was their physicality.  I have a fairly accommodating space for large speakers and whatnot, but I felt as though they were imposing on me.  One very early morning as I was headed downstairs I looked ahead quickly and for a moment thought there was someone standing in my living room. Alas, as my sleep fog lifted and I came back to reality I saw it was just the right Maggie. 

I absolutely enjoyed the Maggies and I remain a fan. For one, they’re a helluva lot lighter than Thiels are, and secondly they simply present music in a very engrossing, involving way.  I spent a lot of time reacquainting myself with favorite records with them. 

Though Thiel presents the bass better, I never felt the Maggies lacked it - even though by comparison they do.  Both brands presented bass in what I think is a very organic, natural, uncolored manner.  Thiel just offers more, along with a smaller physical - especially vertically - footprint. 

When I return to being a full time “audiot” I’m quite sure I’ll be bouncing between these two again - especially since Coherent Source is in business. 

oblgny

As always, good to see you here. Whenever a query regarding the 3.5 model is posted, you are the first Panelist that enters my mind. As above, read over the post by dinopau and offer an opinion on his situation.
I, for one, look forward to your audiot return my Audiophile friend.

Hope you are well and thawing out from Winter on this Spring day.

Happy Listening!