Are there any Thiel owners in the Metro Atlanta (GA) area willing to let me audition their CS1.x, CS2.x, or CS3.x speakers?
My attempt at a brief explanation: I love the wide, open soundstage and treble articulation of my Dahlquist DQ-10s but want more overall tonal balance—especially in the midrange. I have a set of Acoustic Research AR90s which are fantastic but do not have a similar soundstage. The AR90s also need to be played somewhat loudly to sound right.
I recently got a set of Vandersteen 2Ce Signature IIs: The soundstage is nearly as good as the DQ-10s (a bit too center focused but still good) with very good overall neutral tonal balance. The Vandersteens are a bit weak in the bass and I find my subwoofers (SVS SB3000s) help most of the time. Mostly.
I have realized that most of my listening (at least 50% jazz, a mix otherwise) is at moderate listening levels. That is why I opted for the Model 2 Vandersteens. I rarely get my preamp (Luxman 5C50 running Luxman B-12s) past its second volume detent.
Thiels have always been on my radar but they are rarely available in this area. I like the CS3.5 and up but think they might be too similar to the AR90s in the sense that I will need to play them loudly to sound good. It seems the CS2.x series is equivalent to the Vandersteen 2Ce series but perhaps with better treble and wider soundstage. I also am interested in the CS1.x series in the chance that a smaller speaker might suit most of my listening habits better.
Alternative insight is, of course, welcomed. I have figuratively painted myself into a corner of sorts.
