Anyone hear the new Thiel 2.7 speakers at RMAF?

I just auditioned the CS2.7's, driven by VTL electronics, and quite frankly came away rather disappointed. They do sound quite neutral and on some recordings sound very good indeed. But on complex musical passages the sound became "congested" and lost transparency, as though there was quite a bit of distortion. My gut feeling is the speakers needed more break-in time, although the dealer thought they were mostly broken in.

I also auditioned the CS3.7's in the same room with the same electronics, and they had a very similar tonal quality (not surprising), but sounded more open and transparent, had better sound staging, and never got congested like the 2.7's.

Nice! Cmalak,

very good coverage. I would like a comparison between the CS 2.4 & CS 2.7 speakers. Additionally, I am stoked that Thiel re-designed the CS 1.7 speaker.

Whichever model one chooses, you will need a robust power amp and/or mono blocks, as these things are 'power hungry'.

An update;

I recently compared the CS 2.4SE to the CS 3.7 -

Up next is the comparison between the 2.4SE & CS 2.7 -

Jafant...would appreciate your thoughts/comments once you compare the 2.4SE to the 2.7. Thanks.

But on complex musical passages the sound became "congested" and lost transparency, as though there was quite a bit of distortion.

Some of what you heard could be the preamp. Some preamps can sort out complex passages, most that I have heard cannot.

Happy Listening.