Thiel Owners

@tomthiel 

Glad to read below that your recent re-visit to my favorite Thiel model - the CS3.5 - has been included in your upgrade paths. For me this model is the no compromise model within those I have enjoyed thus far. 

I always employed the bass EQ @ the 20hz setting. I am not a very technically oriented fellow to dare replacing internal organs and whatnot. The first pair of 3.5’s I had suffered a punctured midrange when I attempted to see why one was intermittent. Thanks to Rob for repairing it. 

The “compromise” I encountered with the CS3.6 was that I had to play the music louder than I normally do. When driven a little more than my preferred level they were excellent, pure “Thiel.”  At lower volume level they weren’t as resolving. 

With the CS2.4 I find the soundstage to be very narrow. Again, when I play them a little above my normal level this opens up. The bass reproduction is particularly notable. The “other room” test confirms that. 

All of this falls under the IMHO submission. For me, the 3.5’s perform superbly at all listening levels. Yes, there are times when I am inspired by a piece of music and up the volume, but most of my listening is done at very conservative levels. It was the 3.5 model that literally stopped me in my tracks because of their articulate reproduction at a low volume level. 

The compromises I mention are small. I could live, and have lived with various perceived shortcomings before - on every piece of equipment I’ve owned. To find one’s optimum setup requires time, money, and opportunity. I am happy with my CS2.4’s currently, but I’d sell them in a heartbeat to get a pair of 3.5’s again. 

I’ll be following your progress. 

Thiels rule!

Salute! Veteran's Day 2019.

Oblgny - thank you for your thoughts and perspective. The input from you and this group serves as primary guidance along my foggy path. I know that I want to stabilize the brand into the future, and that will take the form of offering owners and upgrade clients a stable service platform, which Rob is now providing, but will need more legs on its stool for ongoing viability.  I know that I want to make selected models better than when new to illustrate the viability of ongoing re-development. I know that I can't accomplish everyting myself, so I hope to inspire some as yet unknown person or team to take up the torch. I began my exploration with the CS2.2s, since I had them since 1990. Then came (5!) more models to compare and contrast. Most recently the 3.5 compared to the 3.6. Obl, I think you're on to something; I feel welcome with the 3.5s. And I am on to some inspiring refinements. This early work will all apply to subsequent models.

It turns out, to my surprise, that as Thiel advanced in time, its sales per model declined. The peak volumes were in my time with the CS2 and CS3.5, followed by the CS2.2 and declining thereafter. It also seems that appreciation and enthusiasm for the brand also may have peaked in the 1990s - I'm still gathering and sifting clues; I'll be visiting Rob in Lexington at the end of November for more insight and direction. 

The truly iconic Thiels surely include the CS2 and CS3-3.5. Their age puts them in most danger of failure and they have ready upgrade potential via multiple avenues, many of which I have been exploring in the HotRodLab. The Renaissance products will not be restorations of the original executions, but rather reimaginings of what the designs hoped to become when they grew up.

Pieces of the puzzle are taking their places, thanks in great part to my interaction with this forum, both here and behind the curtain. The more recent designs will probably be addressed in historic order, or as I gather confidence and abilities. I am particularly enamored with the CS5 due to my personal history developing that product, and that it is the last of Jim's sealed bass designs, and that a reconfiguration of the baffle can eliminate over half of the series elements in the crossover and so forth.

JA, I would not be taking this path without your forum. Here is where I found a focus and so many generous souls who have provided insights, guidance and products for my development work. Thank you all so much.