Aerial 7B vs. Thiel 2.4

IMPO, the last comment on the Thiels is likely unfair! DEPENDING LARGELY ON ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT, it's way too easy to take a speakers as revealing as the Thiels(that goes with Wilson's, Magnapan's, JMlab's, NHT's, and other neutral gear), and mix em with gear that will "push them over the edge" in terms of brightness!
I must have heard it a 1000 times over the years...speakers that walk the edge of "neutrality" in tonality as being called "bright", by someone who heared them in A SYSTEM(you can't judge speakers without considering the gear their connected to..and that includes wires!) at one time!
Anyway, I don't think it's a fair shake. I sold the Theils over the years, as well as owned the 2.3. I also had the 1.5's and SCS3's in my home at one time "for a try". And while I've also owned other gear, and have long since sold the 2.3's(for various reasons), I wouldn't call them bright speakers by any means! They were very "clear canvases" with which to play sound through. The 1.5's might have been a bit pushy in the lower/mid trebble, but marginal. The 2.3's were just "smooth" and extended, and clear of course.
As for the 2.4's, I've only heard them once. I heared them on some marginal gear however and the sound was a bit dull, but not bright! Infact, my first thought was they were a bit supressed on top. But I figured the gear/setup as the problem.
I'm sure Thiel wouldn't release "junk" or "lesser speaker replacements. But you never know.
My experiences with the Aerials, is that, yes, they were more intentionally laid back and "non-fatiguing" sounding. And I heard them on many occasions, in many setup's. I must say I was never offended by the Aerial sound. Infact, they always reminded me of the Vanderstein's, only more revealing and refined sounding.
However, as a home theater speaker, I would NEVER USE THE AERIAL's! Why?...because they are too laid back and soft sounding! They aren't desinged to reach out and "grab you", are recessed in the "pressence reigion", and are basically music speakers! That's my thoughts. The Theils aren't necessarily my first choice there either. But they are WORKABLE I find. In the right room(medium preferably) they do well (refering to the 2.3's, which I've experience first hand there). INfact, of all the Theil's, I though the 2.3's had the best pressence, and involvement for movies! But you still gotta set em up right for best performance and solidity of immage.
Another consideration is that the Aerials are a bit lowish in sensitivity. The Thiels also, but not as bad I think.
Don't quote me on this...it's just from past rememberence.
The lower sensitivity speakers need lots of help in the dynamic reigion, which doesn't boad well for a quality HT experience.
Anyway, I've designed a lot of high end home theaters over the years. And I personally would't chose the Aerials for my choices. I just think they don't offer the "strengths" of a good HT speaker. They're more typical audiphile laid back music speakers to my ears...others might differ.

While Exertfluffers comments above make good sense, but I reach the opposite conclusion.
I've owned both Thiels (3.6s) and the Aerial 7Bs/CC3/SR3s, and have also auditioned the Thiel 2.4s(2 channel only) at a top Thiel dealer w/good matched gear & a treated room.
IMHO, most DVDs are mixed too bright to begin with, this done intentionally to "create excitement". For me, the result is an exciting 20 minute demo for speakers like the Thiels, but more fatigue over time. The mellower balance of the Aerials helps to compensate, resulting in a more relaxing presentation that lets me focus on the film/storyline in a more natural way. Granted, explosions etc. might not have the same "jump factor" as through the Thiels, but I prefer dialogue through the Aerials, and music integrated into film has a rightness that doesn't force itself on you. For my ears, there is plenty of involvement w/the Aerials, but only when the material calls for it. To each his own...
Cheers, Spencer

I've owned both Thiel 2.4s w/MCS-1 center, and LR3s w/CC3b center. Both are very good, and essentially you've identified the main difference. I never had a problem with fatigue setting in with the Thiels, however system matching is more problematic and prone to sounding thin or bright if not matched properly. Generally this is more expensive to achieve with Thiels. I do think the Aerials have an advantage in timbre matching, seamlessness of the front stage, and the ability to play louder without strain during bombastic scenes. The Thiels are fine, and can handle a fair amount of power, but their smaller drivers w/1st order xovrs sound less relaxed when the going gets very demanding. Both need solid power. The Thiels need refined power, whereas the Aerials need an amp that is of good quality, but is a little more crystalline in nature, and has good slam. In either case you will need a good sub since you should be high passing both alternatives at 80hz. For music I prefer the Thiels overall, just more potential imo for 2 channel stereo.

agreed with Sedona and Sbank- I own Aerial 7B's, and they have a relaxing asnd full-bodied quality to them that draws you in. In fact, hearing the Aerial system is what first sold me on the Theta Dreadnaught amp- a magical combo...