Snell Type Q or Thiel CS-1.5?

I have personally favored Thiel over Snell, particularly in the area of dynamics. They will probably sound a touch more 'exact' than the Snells...which may require system matching. Jolida and Luxman should do well, provided they've got enough current to run the Thiels and control them well. good luck and pls keep us posted.

Hi Enobenetto.

Money is a personal choice. $140 is a good deal. I think $400 for Thiels is an equally good deal...possibly better if quality of sound matters that much to you.

I think what you will find with the Thiels is a few things:

1. They will continue to improve as your electronics improve...beyond the Snells.

2. In particular, the linearity, extension, dynamic range, probably bass performance will all have very strong technical capbilities that should exceed the Snell. You should find that the quality, clarity, extension up and down the spectrum, soundstaging, and detailing are all superior. the speaker should also deliver significantly more punch when you drive real high current thru it...and Thiels can (and should ideally) get a high-current amp to run them. SS Class A amps (the old Forte 4 was a winner of a 50 watt/channel Class Amp!)...will do great here.

3. The key, with any speakers, but particularly in this case...is ensuring you are showing them off to their potential.

If you are going to use very rudimentary electronics, you may yet find you prefer the Thiel...but if you use good quality electronics...i think you will find that Thiels capabilities continue to rise to the occasion comfortably beyond where the Snells start to lose ground.

good luck and hope that's somewhat helpful as one person's opinion.

Depends on what you want your overall system to work together. Vandersteens can require power, but generally sound good with lots of stuff...not quite as 'easy' as Sonus Faber...but generally will sound good with much equipment. Thiel being built around precision/detail may require some more care in system matching. Less forgiving i suppose may be a way to compare the Thiel to the Vandersteen.

Personally, i would normally have gone for Vandersteen...but over the last year or so, as my equipment has improved...i find myself looking for equipment upgrades where the new piece will be totally see-through/invisible/transparent to the existing signal i have managed to create through the rest of my system. (ie, a less forgiving, transparent, detailed component).

with your existing electronics, i think you will find good sound with both...but your tastes will vary. i think the key is whether either or both speakers will require more power. Luxman generally has good power reserves/high current. good luck.