Thiel CS 2.4 Amplifier Pairing

The Thiel 2.4s are great speakers.  I've had a pair in my main rig since 2011.  The key is to have a true high current amp that can handle the fact that the speaker impedance falls to something less than 2.8 ohms at 600 hz (see the Stereophile review for John Atkinson's measurements).  I first drove them with a Bryston 3BST which was decent.  As of last year I've been using a Coda CSIB integrated amp, and it's an absolutely great match.  I suggest reaching out to Yamaha and getting a read at how well the Yamaha amps do with  nominally 4 ohm speakers with impedance that drops below 3 ohms.  The Thiel speakers are awesome, but the impedance curve is simply wicked.  They work best with an amp whose output continues to double down as you halve the impedance.

@jazzman7 , both Yamaha are 2ohm stable with no issues I believe. I just have not read any users with Yamaha amps on Thiel.  I would consider integrated but wasn't sure the power would be suffice.  Japanese usually don't carry the heft in sound like American amps.  

It’s a rare integrated that match up well with Thiel, and they do tend to be more expensive fare. (Other integrated amps that I had thought about included those from Krell, Ayre and BAT). With my Bryston 3BST at 125 watts into 8 and 200 into 4 music was very enjoyable. With my Coda, 150 into 8 (w/ first 18 in Class A), 300 into 4 and 600 into 2, there is a grip and ease which the 3BST can’t match.

@jazzman7 The Coda CSIB will move the Thiels with ease.given those specs.   Thanks for sharing your input.  Have you had any issues with the midrange driver needing replacement?

I have owned a pair of Thiel 2.4 for over 15 years now and have had them on multiple amps. Currently they are in a second system my wife uses for TV and background music on some old Rotel mismatched gear.

Power is not the issue but the low impedance is. I think they actually dip down to 2 ohms in the bass. Any amp that doubles down the power at 2 ohm vs 4 is fine. Also the 2.4 have a bit of a rise in the treble on axis so try to use as little toe in as needed to get a good center image. Thiel often recommended no toe in but you need a pretty big room for that as they are a wide dispersion speaker and reflections can be an issue.

Really they are not hard to drive. I had them on a Marantz SR5005 for a few weeks which is a $800 receiver from early 2000s?!? (I needed an HDMI input) and honestly the bass was pretty slamming, Not kidding. It was a big open room to 27’x20’. All the fine details were bad and lost in the receiver though lol

I tried them with a few classD amps which I would not recommend. They were harsh in the highs and had midrange glare. Good bass though.

the best combo I personally used was in my main system on McIntosh MC462 on the 2ohm tap. It really softened up the speaker while still being dynamic. I could listen all day with no fatigue on the Mac.

At their current used prices they are a steel. When I went to replace them I demoed speakers in the $10,000 $15,000 range and had trouble bettering the old Thiels. I think their highs are a bit dated now. They lack air compared to some of the modern designs. Everything else is pretty great though.

No, I've never had a problem with the midrange drivers.  As far as I know my midrange drivers are original. I am not the original owner, and bought them from the same dealer that originally sold them when the original owner traded them in for Thiel 3.7s. When I bought them the speakers were 5 years old and in excellent condition and I’ve never had a problem with them. Prior to the Thiel 2.4s I had Thiel .5s in my main rig.

webking185

Good advice as above. Stay away from Class-D Power amp(s). Both Yamaha MX-1 and MX-1000 amps are 2-ohm stable. Give each a try. The CS 2.4 speaker is a Honey and very receptive. I 1st audition was on a Creek integrated amp at less than 100 wpc. This loudspeaker is not hard to drive. Feel free to join Us over on the

Thiel Owners thread. We have many CS 2.4 fans and owners on The Panel.

Happy Listening!