4 and 1/2 years have gone buy since then, but this thread is still quite interesting (I wander if Cinematic and David are still on Audiogon forum).
I've owned a pair of Thiel 2.3 for two years, and used them in three very different rooms, always powered by NuForce Ref 8.
I'm not as technically expert as many people in Audiogon, and I don't know how to measure dips and distortion. All I can say is that I partially agree with Cinematic: the Thiel 2.3 tend to be fatiguing and make you want to improve all the chain to get the best out of them... but I'm still enjoying them for what they are: such an "emotional" speaker that you can live with its 'flaws' and yet be constantly surprised by the incredibly realistic 3D reconstruction and punchy dynamic, which convey a live feeling like a few other (often more expensive) speakers do.
That said, if today I decided to replace my Thiels, I would consider something totally different, maybe something "mellower" or more "euphonic" if you like. Just for a change, or because upgrading to another Thiel model would set my expectations too high, or maybe simply because I'm getting older and I would like some more relaxed listening sessions.
But in doing so, I'd be 100% conscious I'd be trading realism for something else just to please my ageing ears.
I've owned a pair of Thiel 2.3 for two years, and used them in three very different rooms, always powered by NuForce Ref 8.
I'm not as technically expert as many people in Audiogon, and I don't know how to measure dips and distortion. All I can say is that I partially agree with Cinematic: the Thiel 2.3 tend to be fatiguing and make you want to improve all the chain to get the best out of them... but I'm still enjoying them for what they are: such an "emotional" speaker that you can live with its 'flaws' and yet be constantly surprised by the incredibly realistic 3D reconstruction and punchy dynamic, which convey a live feeling like a few other (often more expensive) speakers do.
That said, if today I decided to replace my Thiels, I would consider something totally different, maybe something "mellower" or more "euphonic" if you like. Just for a change, or because upgrading to another Thiel model would set my expectations too high, or maybe simply because I'm getting older and I would like some more relaxed listening sessions.
But in doing so, I'd be 100% conscious I'd be trading realism for something else just to please my ageing ears.