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New Old Thiel CS6 Speakers--Too Harsh

Hi All,

New pair of Thiel CS6 Speakers. First true pair of 'audiophile' speakers (...still might go back to my Kappa 7's and 8's).

Imaging and that 'holographic' sound is pretty good on the Thiels but not as good as the JBL 4312a's.  But again I am plagued by harshness in my system. It seems detail and excellent spatial performance just equates to brittle, harsh and painful in my room. I like to listen at rather loud volumes.

Frequencies that appear to be the problem are between 2khz all the way up to 16khz. If I EQ the system is listenable. 

The other issue the Thiels seem to have is out of phase low bass due to the passive radiator. Can anyone confirm this?

Here is my setup right now:
Modwright Oppo 105d (physical media and streaming)
Sonic Frontiers Line 2 preamp
Conrad-Johnson Premier 350 
14x17 room, on concrete slab carpeted with additional thick throw rug, heavy velour drapes over windows, bare walls and cd/record shelves, nothing on the ceiling.

What is causing the tizzy sharpness in my system/room?

So far the Infinity Kappa Series with its ribbon tweeters has sounded best in my room. The 8's are very impactful and tonally very complete. The 7's are close, not quite as impactful but have better imaging due to lower tweeter height. 

....and I don't want truth. I want beauty.

:-)

Thanks!


128x128brettmcee
parkhurst
5 posts
 
I had a similar experience after purchasing a pair of Thiel CS 3.6's.  I thought they'd be a good match for my CJ MF2300A.. Turns out the CJ wasn't capable in this matchup.  Replaced the CO with a Sunfire 300 and was instantly in business.
You'll find plenty posts on Thiels and amp capabilities.  Once you get it right you'll be smiling.  
Enjoy.

mike_in_nc
1,159 posts
 
To test the room-acoustics hypothesis, you could hang quilts or blankets on the walls temporarily to see if tizziness is reduced. I would put them on the sidewalls 1/2 way between speakers and listener.

To test the "source is the problem" hypothesis, you could borrow a good CD player from a friend and see if that improves things.

Likewise with the "amp is the problem" hypothesis, though I doubt that a CJ Premier amp will be causing tizziness. The CJ stuff tends towards the mellow side, in my experience. And your SF Line 2 got a review from Tom Norton saying it doesn’t emphasize or hype things, which to me means it’s not likely the culprit, either.

To test the cables hypothesis, you could buy some returnable cables by mail order. (That would be my last thing to try, but it’s your choice.)

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

Years and years ago I had Thiel 3.6's driven by Muse 175 high-current monoblocks.  Eventually the hardness of the sound drove me into the arms of 300B SET amp + ProAcs.

Obviously, lots of people love Thiels, so YMMV.  BTW, I had 2.3's before, and while they weren't as hard, I found them lacking in bass.

brettmcee's avatar
brettmcee OP
218 posts
 
My room is 14x17 and I have things setup lengthwise—speakers and gear are on the 14’ wall. Heavy, wall sized bookshelf full of vinyl and reel to reel tapes along the opposite wall. 
It’s got to be the room. I have been fighting this ‘listening fatigue’ hard harshness for like 5 years now. 
Two things I really have not changed are the room and the cabling. I would assume that room and room treatments will have a much bigger impact than cables so I should probably address that first.

I have been selecting gear that is all about ‘detail’ and that holographic reproduction—darker and colder. Maybe I have gone too far?

i also need to test the tubes in my Oppo and it’s power supply. Wish this were easier.

i have a BAT VK-500 with BatPak and a Caver Signature Sunfire 600 (I think it’s a 600?) that I am going to try with the CS6s.

Does anyone know if a Berning ZH-270 can adequately drive the Thiels? 
mike_in_nc
1,159 posts
 
I suggest you not change gear before you try some acoustic treatment. You might find your existing gear is fine.
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