Thiel Owners

Robert - I’m sorry that at the present time my comments are more theoretical than practical. My experiments based on fundamentals is that I dislike any iron / steel and even anything electrically conductive in the high-intensity inductive field directly in front of the drivers. I’m working toward a stiff fiber mesh to give physical and visual protection while eliminating electrical / emf coupling. Even though these late model grilles are very acoustically transparent, I suggest removing them for critical listening. I don’t know whether you’ll hear a difference, but I would love to hear anyone’s report on the subject.

The 2.4 on reverb has not been painted by Thiel so approach with caution.

If one was paint Thiel speakers I would think they would preserve the legendary Thiel look. Painting the black baffles white like the rest of the speaker is not a good look. It’s a short cut as you would have to tape in two parts and mix two colors of paint to do it correctly. Short cutting here tells the rest of the story.

Look at the paint in photo below the binding posts. I have factory white Thiel 2.7 and they do not look like this.

They will need to be sanded (Pair on Reverb) and prep’d for paint. Dont skimp on paint quality and get a high grade automotive paint, about $200-$300 per quart. Same for primer. A good epoxy primer would be my choice for first coat.

You will need a pair of coaxial drivers as they look pretty beat up.

The pair for sale I would offer around $1500 as you will have at least $1500 in getiing them to look respectable.

They was a pair of 3.7 on US Audiomart, I believe, that were painted black. It looked like soneone used a paint brush as they looked hideous. They were in CA and I’m on east coast and I could not work a deal to get them to save them. No boxes and an unwillingness from seller to ship closed that door. 

My point is Thiel speakers are worth restoring/upgrading. It has been said here and I’ll reinforce that now. "You will spend a significantly amount of money to better them" .

With all the support and upgrade recommendations that Tom Thiel has for these speakers, you will have a clear upgrade path to squeeze greater sonic gain from them.

duramax747

Nice catch!  Either last year or back in 2021, one of the Panel members spotted a pair of CS 2.7 speakers that had been painted "white" privately. i wonder if those loudspeakers found the next home? To my recollection, those speakers were on Reddit.

No doubt that you know your business regarding Paint(s).

Happy Listening!

jafant,

I know members of this disciussion are good honest people and need to be aware of the pitfalls and look to see if there is water in the pool before diving off the board.

That pair is going to take work to remove that paint and apply a professional paint finish as if it came from Thiel themselves.

Look at the wiring fray at the binding post from pair on Reverb? No care or pride whatsoever. If you are going to do something just do it right or get someone who can.

I’ve mentioned painting cabinets. I’ve held off until I know what other upgrades I will do so it all flows as one cohesive unit.

I do know it will be professionally done in a dust free paint booth with dryer so paint bonds as intended. Thiel did customized colors, as per request from customer, so there are some very different looking colors out there.

I’d take a more concervative approach as to paint scheme but not an off the shelf color.

duramax747

Thank You for being a valuable Panel member and Thiel Audio expert.

Happy Listening!