Thiel 3.7

Irish65, I suspect that the sensitivity has been increased to make amplification less expensive for the home theatre crowd. I hope Jim Thiel can get the impedance up to at a minimum of 4 Ohms. That would really open up amplication options. I didn't hear anything about the CS 9's. I wish Thiel would bring back sealed boxes with their inherently tighter bass and better time and phase characteristics.
Gundam91, Gee, I like the look of those cabinets. There will be a grill to cover those very unique drivers.

First of all, HELLO ZAIKESMAN! Where have you been? I'm sure I'm not the only who's missed you around here. I do hope all is well with you.
You bring up some very interesting thoughts (no wonder we've missed you). I like your thinking regarding a multi-dome MT. I suspect the biggest problem for Thiel would be maintaining correct time domain. I supposed an electrical (digital?) cross-over could compensate for that. From what I understand the drivers are corrugated to suppress resonanses. I've heard claims of 0 (thats what I heard ZERO) unwanted resonanes from both mid and tweeter to 22Khz! This may set a new standard for dynamic driver sweetness. Regarding your thoughts on the thinner baffle, many years ago I asked Jim Thiel why he didn't use a pyarmid shaped cabinet to reduce baffle width in accordance with driver size. He responded that he would prefer to use a wider baffle but was concerned that the market would object to a bigger speaker profile. He thought that having a wider baffle would offer more support for the drivers and the he could control dispersion better for the consumer, as the first reflections could be designed in rather than being dependent on the variances if consumers rooms. I also share your concern about the woofers being so far from the other drivers. I suspect this arrangement mandates further listening position from the speaker for proper driver integration and less freedom to move about during listening. Perhaps the large distance does allow the bass driver to appreciate room loading better and may offer the critical mid range and in this case in particular the tweeter some more isolation from the woofers vibrations. I understand that the price of the 3.7's may be somewhere between the 3.6's and the 6's. Probably on the higher end. Suspcions fly that the 6's will loose its place with this 3.7 offering. After price my big questions would be about frequency response and impedance. There have been rumours about a very expenisive flagship model that might be omni-directional. I can't help but wonder if the new cabinets might be an excercize towards that goal.

Zaikesman, I really do miss your contributions! Thank you for providing me with a clearer undertanding of how your multidome might work. Jim Thiel did something like this years ago when he reversed the driver to baffle relationship (e.g. CS 2 vs. CS 3.5). You provide and intersting perspective on the 2 way vs. 3 way marketing. I suppose one could argue that different frequencies are being provided by differernt drivers that just happen to share a voice coil. As for me, it really doesn't matter much one way or the other. I think it interesting that Thiel can accomplish this resonace control from the "midrange" driver through the treble region because they are one and the same. I suppose your right, in that the "tweeter" segment may show control even further out. Yes, I think we were talking about different perspectives regarding baffles. I do see your point. From what I understand Thiel suffered from expensive failure in their attempts at cast baffles during shipping. I guess its hard to heal from such a burn. Perhaps he'll develop one using aluminum? We have often shared ideas independently developed. I too have desired some sort of soft baffle covering for some time now. The only other reason I can think of for placing the woofers so low would be to lower the center of gravity for better balance. I too was surprised by the omni concept considering Thiels consistent stance on radiation principles. Perhaps now that Thiel designs and manufactures all of his own drivers, he may feel free to pursue this with better footing? Jim Thiel despite his reputation for specific types of speakers, really has ventured in different directions. Thiel has used various ports, sealed boxes, equalizers, passive radiators, TMW arrays, MTM arrays, passive cross-overs, active cross-overs, mulit-drivers w/ different ranges, single voice coil mutli drivers, self powered speakers, etc.. Why not an omni? Omni's migt be especially attractive to the home theatre crowd.

Zaikesman, BTW Gary is the new Shari.

Thanks, Irish. Unfortunately I don't agree with the author on some of his opinions on older Thiel's, so it compromises my appreciation of his opinon on the new ones.

I wasn't there, but, I thought Thiel was showing the 3.7's with Audio Research.

Prices have just been released: $4950 to $5500 EACH depending on finish. These babies better be able to offer some seriously good sound with extended bass response and hopefully a gentle impedance. Geesh, remember when Thiel 3 series had an MSRP of around $2500? These new 3 series are going to cost more than twice as much as the preceeding 2 series in the Thiel line. On another note, Thiel is about release a new SCS model that may actually cost LESS than it's predecessor!

Thiel has now posted a new pdf detailing the 3.7's.

$10K, 33Hz +/-2 dB from an out of time and phase drone cone, 2.8 Ohm minimum impedance, metal back. Of course the proof will be in the listening, but, despite the engineering novelties and the excercise in cabinet craft, I can't help but think they're aiming at the wrong targets.

Nice rig Tom. I'm looking forward to reading about your impressions.

Congratulations!