Home Theater vintage Thiel set up question

Like I said, without the eq, you'd be better off with the less expensive CS 2's.

Hi all ! I think the OP should try it both ways and report back.

Ok folks, here is the update! For home theater forget the equalizer! You do not need it! For those of you that insist it is needed, a dumb question I will pose to you ... are you using or have you used the system described in order to be qualified to jump in and critique? If you are then bless you!! Your preference is the equalizer being used. By golly if the head of Thiel support does not reccomend it if a sub is in use... who am I to question him? He's been there a while!!
Anyway, the report ... the Focal center integrates with the Thiels extremely well, the whole thing is seamless. The CS2's as surrounds are absolutely awesome. I played the scene from The Dark Knight where Ledger steals the semi to go after the convoy carrying the councilman and I have to say, the realistic bullets flying over my head and the realistic sounds of bullets going through metal were phenomenal. The bombings are incredible, the HSU sub again, matches the Thiels like they belong together. The NAD T955 is still trying to get a workout and it has not. It is handling the speaker set up like they are wimpy things. Tron The Legacy absolutely blew me away! The clarity, depth and detail are amazing. Essentially I am saying that I whole heartely reccomend the CS3's SANS equalizer as fronts with the CS2's as surrounds. Look at it this way, I have a total of $1,200.00 in current money tied to a set up that today will cost over $23,000.00 to replace! And yes, it does sound like it is worth that much!! Merry Christmas everyone! I am about to sit back and watch Marsalis and Willie Nelson on Blue Ray!!
Hit them straight!!!!

Hi all ! Glad it worked well for you . I was considering the 3's at one time but due to low funds went with the 2's . The local dealer and a few customers recommended using the 3's sans EQ. Never know till you try . Btw , the 2's are the easiest thiel to drive , the 3's prob not too bad w/o the Eq . The EQ really puts more demand on the amp .

Bogiedr, Have you tried using the eq? Do you have the eq? FWIW, and with all due respect to Gary, I've been using Thiels for much longer than Gary has been working there. He came on long after the CS 3's were discontinued. My reasoning is sound, I've heard them with and without. The CS 3's sans eq roll off rather high, which means the subs need to roll off beyond there optimum. Have you tried using the CS 2's as the mains. They'll go lower than the CS 3's sans eq and will be smoother in the critical midrange-treble. I'll take a wild guess that you have the CS 2's out further in the room than the CS 3's sans eq. The ported bass of the CS's will be less muddy out from the walls and the CS 3's sans eq sealed box bass will benefit more from near wall placement than the CS 2's. Since your using subs. The only advantage of the CS 3's over the CS 2's, is in the deepness and phase coherency of the bass, but most of that is negated if you don't use the eq. Without the eq the CS 2's are a better speaker. I'd suggest selling the CS 3's an replacing them with another pair of CS 2's.