Thiel Owners
tomthiel"I can't answer that question due to the radical divergence of individual needs" What is "radical divergence" that does not make any sense to me but English is not my first language so I ask you politely, respectfully, and sincerely to explain this term. |
What is "radical divergence"Some people like to listen at very high SPLs and have large rooms. They will need a LOT of power. Some people have smaller rooms and listen at moderate levels. They will need hardly any power. I did some calculations for my CS2.4s. Thiel claimed a minimum impedance of 3 ohms and three reviewers measured the minimum ranging ~2.7-3.1 ohms. Assuming a *constant* 2.9 ohm load (a worst case scenario as the impedance dips this low only for part of the frequency spectrum) and ignoring room interactions, I need about 5.5 watts for 85 dB at the listening position, ~20 W for 90 dB, ~50 for 95 dB, and ~180 W for 100 dB. I estimate my amp clips at ~97 dB. But I very rarely ask for more than 90 dB peaks and most of my listening probably only requires 2-5 W. My amp has plenty of headroom for my listening preferences. Others may need more power. If you demand 105 dB peaks (sorry for your ears), you may need 500-750 W with something like the CS2.4, depending on room interactions! So, someone like me needs <50 W but some others may need an order of magnitude more power. Radical divergence. |
beetlemania... Your post regarding driving your CS2.4's was MOST appreciated at this moment because I am about to tender an offer on a pair that's available locally here in New York. (not the SE version) I just sold my Audio Research DSi200 integrated to assist funding it. The seller is asking $1800. I'm offering $1400 - we'll see what develops. My listening levels are pretty much in line with your own. While I do listen at louder levels every once in a while, most of my listening is done very conservatively. Example: I once sold a Threshold amplifier at a serious discount because I thought the meters were broken. After the sale the buyer contacted me to say nothing was wrong - I just never listened loudly enough to get the meters moving. At this moment I am once again enjoying the Maggie experience. I love Maggies and I love Thiel. My Maggie MMGi's frequency response is 50hz - 20khz - not much downstairs at my preferred listening volume. Pushed a little bit, just above that zone they do fill in nicely. I can feel the bass. But at lower volume...I find myself wanting. Thiels do a much better job at reproducing that "feel" of the bass at lower listening levels - at least IMHO. I'd keep these Maggies otherwise, but this pair of 2.4's is tantalizing. I'll be keeping the Belles 250i integrated. Based on my previous experience with Thiel and Magnepan I just know this will be a fine synergy. This Belles is outstanding. |
