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What speaker after Thiel 7.2?

I'm not unhappy with my speakers, but I'm curious about what else is out there. My question is directed to those who owned (or very seriously considered) the 7.2s as to what they moved on to and their assessment of the change. Particularly, are you happy or regretful? What does your speaker do that the Thiels didn't do? What did the Thiels do that your current speaker doesn't do? Of course, those that went to a speaker costing considerably more should maintain some perspective.

Budget would be under 20k new (although would listen to speakers up to 30k), and listening room is 18x16 with an open-floor layout. This means that the speakers have no side-walls, are spaced 9 feet apart, and listening position is at 12 ft. Main priorities would be for a full-range speaker that images clearly, accurately, with a realistic soundstage, and good reliability/customer service.

Thanks,
Rob
rtn1
luke72
116 posts
 
Thank you Irish, I e-mailed him directly ;-)
trcnetmsncom
431 posts
 
Hi Rob,

The Eidolon would be a good choice and if you can stretch your budget the Eidolon Diamond is even more captivating.

I've been fortunate enough to own both of them and both in their respective price categories (IMO) are SOTA.

Put the right components in front of them and in return you'll get magic!

Good luck, I hope you find what you are looking for.
Tom
c123666
871 posts
 
You could try a top of the line (or one of them) Audio Note Type E speakers. They have full range sound, sound great, and are 95db efficient at 8ohms. The resistance operates between 6 and 8 ohms so it is an exceptionally easy speaker to drive and it adore quality tube gear. With 8 very good watts from a quality 300b amplifier you just might be surprised at the difference in sound from monster amps and Thiel speakers.

That is what I used before I went the SET/Audio Note speaker route.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
aldavis
202 posts
 
Rob,
I listened to 7.2's alot. I bought Wilson Benesch Chimeras. Much faster,natural base. Much better detail in midrange. Highs more natural less "sharp". Listen to them yourself ,I think you'll be impressed.
cinematic_systems
282 posts
 
The 7.2 isn't that good, the list I have is long, heck I even like the Wilson Watt Puppy 7 more than the 7.2.

ATC SCM100ASL---- Maybe the 7.2 has deeper bass but this is a very onesided contest. The 100's play louder, image better, have more timbrel accuracy....on and on. $15,000 with amplifiers its a no brainer. ATC provides a whole other world of playback performance. More accurate more dynamic.

Dynaudio Confidence Any, once again maybe give up the last little bit bass extension, but again play louder, more actual clarity and detail, images better than the Thiel and the ATC, but in my experience some of the worst sounding speakers image super well.

The least expensive speaker might be the ATC SCM-20-2 with a concept 4 subwoofer, even without the subwoofer the 20's better the thiels in the frequencies it covers in common with the 7.2.

Aerial 20T is another to consider.

When people own Thiel its like finding a speaker for a klipsch owner. The sound is so unique and its attributes accentauted that what is it that needs to be changed puts us in the certain direction to help you more specifically.
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