Thiel Owners

One of the greatest pleasures for me in our Hi-Fi hobby is when you listen to something you thought you know intimately well, only to discover nuances and details you never knew where there, or in this case, never truly appreciated.  This just happened to me...

I had just noticed that Tidal has an MQA version of The Beatles’ Deluxe Anniversary Edition of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.  Now, without getting into the wormhole of what MQA is or isn’t, I was simply blown away by what I just heard.  Specifically, on “A Day In The Life”, I was simply floored by sheer amount of layering my 3.5’s where throwing out...Lennon’s vocals had such air, like they were suspended high above all the instruments in the studio.  Then, Ringo’s incredible drumming...such timing...pop, pop, boom...pop, pop, boom...all from the right side, with the orchestra filling in on the left. Pianos on top of strings, horns sweeping...it was engulfing.  The song had so much presence to it, so much to its construction that I never heard before. This was not only a soundstage that had width and depth, but layer upon layer from top to bottom.

I love that song and I love that album...but I never heard it like that.  And, MQA or not, I wouldn’t have had this experience were it not for the Thiel 3.5’s. It takes a speaker of outstanding capability and quality to convey a musical performance like I just heard.  The Thiels never disappoint.  They have this ability to just sound so right...so detailed and yet so musical at the same time...that no matter what I throw at them, I simply enjoy. Incredible!  

I had to take a break from working to play that track again...and replay the album from the start.  I write this posting still gobsmacked at what I’ve just heard and so look forward to the next time the 3.5’s do this to me again...

Hope you all doing well!

Arvin

I have something to add about having owned Thiel CS3.5 speakers for over 30 years. I have quite a few friends that remember my system with these speakers as being the best system that they every heard anywhere, including CES and other audio shows. One of my friends finally declared that there is "no way a system 30 years old can still have sounded better than I have ever heard since. I must be building it up in my mind, like a fish story".

Well, about 2 years ago, when my wife bought an extra house for us (I mean that we didn’t move in, she just bought it for later), I decided to set-up in its living room the EXACT same system that I had dismantled about 10 years earlier.
The speakers were in storage, the Cardas Hexlink Golden 5C interconnects were here, the CAT preamp was there, and may favorite tube mono amplifiers for the Thiels were also in storage. Once all put back together, I invited a few of these old friends over to hear the "famous" Thiel system again. We all agreed, it was STILL the best system we have ever heard. Wow, with carefully chosen associated equipment, the CS3.5 speakers sound like magic. They make magic, with their immaculate imaging, impressive dynamic contrasts (both micro and macro), super low and accurate bass (with the EQ), and reproduction of the natural timbre of real acoustic instruments. My new CS3.7 speakers are not significantly better in these particular qualities. As a whole, they sound quite similar. I doubt that any 2.x speakers can beat the CS3.5, but I have two pair of 2.x now, that I have not heard yet, so I will find out soon.

I know that some of you are thinking, including Tom, "No way his 30 years old CS3.5 speakers can sound as good as 3.7 speakers with Audio Research Classic 120 amps and a $20000 Audio Note preamp." Well just don’t underestimate the benefit of 20 years working on a system, carefully comparing amplifiers and preamplifiers, using current VERY high-end cartridges (e.g. Koestu, Benz Ebony LP, ZYX, Shelter), and choosing the best sonic match for every single cable in the system. Plus experimenting with AC conditioning, room acoustic treatments, and speaker positioning (in inch increments). Also, since the 3.5s were moved to a bedroom and the 3.7s are back in the living room, I have started the intense tweeking process with them, like I did with the 3.5s.

Warren

You are preaching to the converted about the quality of old Thiel speakers.  In this very thread I've blabbered on about how much I love my super old pair of Thiel 02 speakers (circa early 80's).   I sheepishly admit sometimes preferring listening to them over my 2.7s!

I face a quandary and request the forums assistance.

I want to get a subwoofer to match my system of 2.4’s driven by Psaudio BHK preamp and a 250 power amp.
Audio only.

i have no access to trial units. Budget is $1000 - 1500. The used market is full of high quality units, and yet there are companies like SVS, REL, and Rhythmik that have new units in this range.

I appreciate you input.

dave