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
When I worked for THIEL, Jim Thiel, would almost always, set the 7.2's up as you have currently described; that is fairly far apart, as they have a large window of sound, and pointed almost straight forward--almost no inward cant to them.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, the 1st order crossover causes lobing at certain distances, which if you fall outside the window of those distances, or those reflections within the room, you can get a very good sound.
Again, it is easy to criticize someone else's body of work.
I hope that you are happy with your 7.2's they're good in so many ways.
Lrsky wrote

"But if you have a large room with limited room reflections from certain problematic distances they could be very good. Most people would say they are fairly good speakers, despite what one writer here said.

Lrsky, Does fairly good cut it for you at $14,000?

"Dear Ferry Porsche I'd like a fairly good racecar this year for LeMans" "Buy a Jaguar" was his response

Fairly good cuts it for me at $600

"limited room reflections from certain problematic distances"

Yeah be nice to have those distances in the manual. But those distances aren't available, and if the 7.2 shouldn't have reflections from the side walls why would the 2.3 rely on sidewall reflections to "fill-in the midrange response dip". ??? I really want to know.

"Don't be discouraged that someone rains on your product, it's typical of human nature, born of a lack of information or jealousy that perhaps they couldn't afford a speaker costing $12K"

Would anyone like the 7.2's crossover schematic? I know a good deal more about the 7.2 than you might think. Would you like to know why I have the schematic? Do you understand the crossover and how that crossover really works? Ever measure the drivers, ever measure the speaker?

As for raining on his speaker he opened the can by asking the question "What speakers after Thiel 7.2", and I'm the jealous ill-informed idiot that has an issue with a "fairly good" $12,000 (in basic black) speaker. Thiel is supposed to be the best not "fairly good" with undisclosed known room interaction problems and cone breakup problems.

I don't like being negative, but what have I said that isn't true? My opinion is negative about the 7.2 and I apologize to anyone I have harmed but I stand by the proof I have to back it up. I've "owned" CS7.2's two instances for several months at a time, they were in my home on my system. On axis to +/- 15 degrees they measure very well steady state and have excellent bass measurements and it shows in their sound. Dynamically they fall apart, the only reason I can go on so much about this was this was a long comprehensive project to make these speakers work so they would sell. The effort was sincere, and the concluding results unfortunate and dissappointing. I said enough, too much really.

The demo offer is still open to David 99 and Rtn1, Chuck if I find a cheap pair your the first guy I'll email.

PS: Sonance "I've only had experience with the 2.4 and the 1.6, and find it somewhat puzzling that they're being compared to Bose"

1st the performance of the speaker was not being compared to Bose, the analogy addressed the fact that reputation sustains them more than the actual performance of the speaker. Regular people buy bose because they are told they are good....does that help clarify the matter?

2nd if you look at the 2 main posts on this topic, you will note that I like the CS2.4, I think its a great speaker. But I don't get credit for that. :)

Venom? What did I say that was venomous, the fact that I have lots of facts and experience with the product something very few people in this thread have. Have you heard any of the speakers I recommended over the Thiels, (please note the topic of this thread) which one in your experience doesn't outperform the CS7.2?

I'm just asking, because i'd like to know?

Have a good weekend guys
You don't deserve a response, with that attitude, and lack of knowledge. Keep talking.
Cinematic Systems

What is your assesment of the 3.6's. And yes if you find a cheap pair of 7.2's I would very much appreciate an e-mail. Thank you in advance. This thread is becoming hillarious.

Chuck
One other thought, for someone who has measured speakers, knows how the crossover works, AND still finds it inferior, why in God's name would you buy them twice?
F*** me once shame on you, F*** me twice shame on me, seems appropriate.
Cone breakup, fairly sophistocated equipment, unless you're just measuring distortion, which, of course they keep fairly low, as I have been in the THIEL's lab as Director of Sales, and seen the measurements at various volumes. First order crossovers don't appeal to everyone, and in my personal design I would never use them because of what I consider to be thier dynamic limitations; Jim Thiel and his 7.2 is hardly the Anti-Christ as you portray them, and him in your comments. Fairly good as I describe them, is a relative evaluation, which, without a basis for comparison, you could hardly know what that particular phrase means to me.
Only someone with a serious agenda could be this tough on what most people, who know what they are speaking of, consider this to be a good loudspeaker...perfect, hardly, but not as 'awful' as your mean spirited remarks would infer.
Please be civil, or take the venom elsewhere. This site is intended to be helpful not so negative.