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Opposite of Thiel

Got the bug. Love my new Thiel CS2.4 loudspeakers. Thinking of getting rid of my Eminent Technology LFT-8b planars, mostly because they're so damn big. They do sound glorious, though.

So if I picked up another pair of speakers physically on the size of the Thiels or smaller, what would be a great candidate with a wholly different set of attributes than the Thiels? Here is what I love about my CS2.4's:

-- resolution & detail
-- frequency response
-- ruthless treatment of upstream equipment + recording

So I'm thinking I might want to try something eminently "musical", maybe not full-range, but sweet and euphonic with a broad, deep soundstage and great fun factor. Pinpoint imaging may not be necessary, but I have to say I love that huge soundstage my planars provide.

Amp: Bryston 4BSST2
Preamp: Parasound Halo JC-2
CD: Cambridge Audio 840C
Turntable: VPI Traveler with Dynavector HO MC cartridge

Budget is $5K or less. Some brands that have caught my eye:

Paradigm S2
Proac
Dynaudio

Smaller, narrow electrostats?

Any thoughts are appreciated.
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yashu's avatar
yashu
196 posts
 
I had Thiel 2.3 for a couple of years, and traded for Proac Response 2.5. Thiels were to fatiguing for me after long listening sessions.

Loved the musicality of the Proac's which served me well for many years. Still love them but got the bug and purchased Dynaudio C1 signature. They are somewhere between the Thiel and Proac. So far I'm quite pleased with the results.

For you I would strongly recommend Proac. Very musical with a deep broad soundstage. I am now considering selling my Proac's.

Cheers.
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,013 posts
 
Ja2-

how do you like the sound of the Bryston amp on those 2.4 speakers?

I have had listening sessions w/ both the Bryston & Thiel 2.4, respectively, not together in the same room.

I have always wanted to hear these 2 guys in the same system...
kernelbob
51 posts
 
At your price target, I'd suggest checking out the Von Schweikert VR33 which lists at $4500 a pair. The fully tricked-out version is the VR35.

Alternatively, I heard the VR22 at RMAF this year and ended up purchasing a pair as a graduation gift. These are real overachievers, competitive well beyond their $2850 a pair price (factory direct including shipping) with a 90 day in-home trial.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I agree with Yashu. I had the Proac Response 2.5's myself and recommend them highly. It sounds like the type of speaker that you are asking before in your original post.

Also, I want to add to my first post for clarification. My post kind of sounds like I'm not recommending the Vandersteen's because they aren't good in some way. Nothing could be further from the truth. Vandersteen is my favourite speaker. The OP asked for a speaker that was the opposite of his Thiels. The only point I was trying to make is that they are not the opposite. The Thiels do share some of the same characteristics. That's all I meant to say.
unsound
7,336 posts
 
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