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Replacing Thiel 2.2's, Need Monitor Suggestions

I am completely satisfied with my Thiel 2.2's. They are transparent, detailed (sometimes unforgivingly so), incredible imaging, and solid as rocks. Unfortunately, my girlfriend thinks they are clunky looking and since we're getting new furniture she is wondering if there is anything smaller I could replace them with.

I should be able to get $900 out of them to put toward some smaller speakers. I'm considering monitors, or anything smaller and nicer looking (possibly a slim floor stander with a nice veneer.) I would prefer not spending more than $1000 on the speakers, and I don't mind buying used.

I am looking for the things that my Thiel's did well (detail, transparency, incredible imaging, large body of sound) as opposed to overly warm-sounding speakers.

You can use the links below my username to view my system. I'm still getting started, and my next upgrade will be getting a separate amp. Any suggestions for an amp to complement your suggested speakers would also be appreciated. My budget for the amp is no more than $400 used.

Thanks for any suggestions, and please don't answer with "lose the girlfriend." It's not helpful. All other advice is very appreciated.

-Dusty
heyitsmedusty

Showing 12 responses by heyitsmedusty

heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
Yes Shadorne, that's a huge difference. My meaning was to spend about $100 beyond what I can get for the Thiels, so $1000 total.

It's a tight budget, but I'm hoping something can be done within it.

-Dusty
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
I think there is something to be said for compromise. She doesn't have the final say in what happens in a room, but then again neither do I. She cares about how a room looks and would prefer to not have speakers reaching out into the social area. I also care about how the room looks, and I can see her point, but I get enough benefit from the speakers to be able to deal with it.

When you can't afford your own listening area, it's fair to compromise with the other people who use the room. That's just basic decency that comes from being a REAL man, balls and all.

-Dusty
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
I personally don't think the Thiels are bad looking speakers at all. I like the pyramid-esque shape of them, but for a room of my size they do become the focal point. I have a floorplan of the room on my system page if anyone cares to look at it.

Personal tastes aside, let's go on these assumptions:

1.) Monitor speakers (or slim good-looking floor standing speakers) will be easier to work into this particular room.

2.) I will spend $1,000 on the speakers.

3.) I would like something detailed and transparent with body, I realize it won't have the "Thiel" sound, and I am open to enjoying a new kind of sound.

4.) Looking for lots of value for the money.

-Dusty
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
Unsound -- Absolutely I'm going to be upgrading the amp. Any suggestions for an amp to go with the Meadowlarks (or the Thiels) would be appreciated.

-Dusty
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
I'm looking into the Meadowlark Kestrel 2's. It looks like they won't "rock" as well as the Thiels. Is that just part of the sacrifice of moving down in speakers?

I listen to Independent Rock (The Shins, Sufjan Stevens, Caribou, Decemberists), Jazz (Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderly, Dave Brubeck), Funk (Tower of Power, Cold Blood, Ohio Players), Bluegrass (Doc Watson, Greencards, Alison Krauss), Singer/Songwriter (Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, Elliot Smith), so my tastes vary quite a bit.
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
Really good suggestions so far.

Also to be taken into consideration: I have a Velodyne CT-120 sub that I'm integrating into my system as well. Right now it only covers the very bottom (~35 hz) but I could adjust the crossover to fill in a little more if I have a smaller monitor. It's not the most musical sub, but it can add SPL where I need it.

-Dusty
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
Screw it. I'm keeping them.
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
I actually just got an Adcom GFA-545 which still isn't where I'd like to be, but it's a huge step up from running off of the receiver. I got it for $75 used, so it's an acceptable and affordable crutch. If I were to buy another amp, my price limit would be $300 used.

The new arrangement sounds SO much better. I think the main difference was getting more soft things into the room. The couch is now fully upholstered (it was leather before), there is another upholstered chair in the room, and the flat wall to the right of the right speaker now has a multi-faceted bookshelf which is working as a good diffuser.

I wish I could spend more than $300 on an amp r
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
I know it's a couple years on, but I've finally done it! I replaced the Thiels with some B&W CM1 monitors as suggested by Knownothing above. Thanks so much for everyone's help!

I'll follow up with a review on my impressions of the replacement.
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
Initial reaction: Stevecham is probably right. I don't have them on stands yet (just sitting on my entertainment center to the left and right of my TV), and the sound is smaller and artificial sounding. They are new so they have a good amount of breaking in ahead of them, and I'm hoping that opens the sound up.

I'm already looking toward the Thiel 1.6 or Totem Arro at this point though.

More to come.
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
I know, I know, Rnm4, you're absolutely right. Right now they are too close to the back wall (about 1 foot), and probably resonating the entire credenza into a bass-reflex monstrosity. I haven't even given them the proper attention they need to shine, but you know how it is: you want to hook those suckers up and listen to them!

Hijacking my own thread: now taking recommendations on speaker stands. B&W makes the FS-700 specially for the CM1, but I'm open to alternatives as well.
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
UPDATE:

I sold those B&Ws, because they were just not FULL enough. I put some Sonus Fabers in their place, and finally recovered some of that audiophile magic. The B&Ws didn't have that sparkle, that hint of reality and presence.

I also found some Thiel 1.6 speakers at an incredible bargain, and I'm currently figuring out how to get them situated for optimum performance. I'm not happy with how I currently have them positioned. They don't sound bad, it's just that they haven't clicked into place yet.

Dusty
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