Thiel 1.6 vs Proac 1.5

While we're talking about the 1.6's, I spent about a half-hour listening to a pair a couple of weeks ago and was very unimpressed. They sounded flat and constricted. Compared with a pair of Meadowlark Kestrels, the Thiels hadn't even come to the dance. "What gives?" I asked. Turns out that they were, indeed, fresh out of the box. I suggested to Mr. Singer (as in Sound by...) that they obviously needed to be broken in, to which he begrudgingly agreed, but he mostly seemed bemused that I could possibly like the $1.7k Meadowlarks more than the $2.4k Thiels (or the $2.7k Audio Physics, for that matter). Imagine then asking to hear the $1.5k Vandersteens . . . he claimed they were technically inferior and wouldn't even deign to plug them in. I think it was about at that point that I pleasantly wished him a good day. (Just for the record, before purchasing a pair of Thiel 2.3's, I extensively auditioned them against the Meadowlark Shearwaters and preferred Thiel -- so I fully expect that the 1.6's will dramatically improve from the virginal pair I heard, after a little use. Virgins can be fun in most arenas, but when it comes to speakers, a little "experience" goes a long way...;) From there, (and via splitting a pitcher of margaritas) went and listened to a pair of ProAc 1sc's which, though a really different sound , were exceptionally alluring....haven't heard their 1.5's yet, though.

Mezmo,
I listened to the meadowlark kestrels at the same place you did, and I found them better than the Audio Physics and the jm Labs. A great package - no glaring shortcomings. For a while when I lived in NYC they were on my short list, along with the proac 1sc's which are exceptionally alluring, but I got a really bad vibe from the Proac dealer...saw a salesman there sell a "demo" stax headphone outfit to a customer - and then another salesmen passes him a note reading "aren't those the defective ones". From the first salesmen's reaction to the note, I'd have to bet they were the defective ones, sold as a demo, all sales final.

One of the frustrating things about choosing speakers is that I'll prefer x to y in one session, then the next session prefer y to x. This has happened many times with me between Thiel, Proac B&W and revel. I really like the 1.6 - very natural and detailed and I've been pretty amazed with the music I've listened to so far.

You got that right, can't say that I've gotten a particularly warm and fuzzy feeling from any of the dealers I've encountered in NYC. As for picking a speaker, as much as I try to be methodical and deliberate about it, at some point I just can't help throwing in the towel and it really becomes a leap of faith. When I was deep into it, I managed to narrow it down to the Thiel 2.3, B&W 804 and Meadowlark Shearwater -- partly for various, arguably valid, subjective and objective reasons, and party just because I found a place where I could listen to all three of them on the same gear. So, I spent an afternoon with all three and went with the Thiels (I think I left a discussion of why on the forums someplace in a "Thiel v. Meadowlark" thread, if you have any interest).

I certainly agree, it's not unlikely that I could have come to a different conclusion on a different day for whatever reasons, so I elected not to try again and just go with it. For me, there's just so much obsessing and second guessing that I can stand before going for it (though, I must admit, my average percolation perior for this type of decision averages over a year and the "final shootout" for the speakers was a LONG time coming). If you've found that a particular speaker has it in it to make you happy, that's a pretty good indication that's exactly what it will do, if given the chance. In retrospect, though deciding (and re-deciding) what to listen with is certainly a major (and fun) part of this silly hobby, I'd likely prefer to have spent less time deciding and more time listening. From your selection, you really can't go wrong. Why not just go with your gut and let the listening enjoyment begin? Hell, if you've really got the virus, you'll end up wanting to upgrade soon enough no matter what you do...;)