I've heard the Heresy III's and not overly impressed. Lots of drive, but tiresome to listen to over time. I've found that will all Klipsch.
Interesting suggestion on the B&W... I haven't heard the newest version D3, but I've heard previous versions. There's always been something holding me back though, can't put my finger on it. Probably time to listen to them again. |
Interesting you said Vandersteen... always loved the sound from the 5's at Audio Connection (when we lived in NJ). Was thinking Quatro. I don't think the room can handle the 5's. |
So maybe I need to add a subwoofer? I moved the speakers a bit further into the room and the center image just simple locked in place. Thiels are revealing, no question about that, but they do seem to have a bit less of that harshness when given more space (about 4ft behind the speakers now and an equal triangle of 9ft with next to no toe-in). The bass seems to be a bit anemic now, but I'm thinking maybe a good sub could fill in that? JL F110 maybe (or a pair)? |
Guess this thread is taking a turn... With moving the speakers further out (further than I have ever had them in my 6 years of ownership), they do sound quite a bit better. There's no doubt I will need to add a subwoofer though. I have an older Epik Legend that I added in the chain and it's ok, but I can hear it once in a while, basically doesn't blend perfectly.
So for subwoofers, JL Audio (used), Rythmik (used or new) or other brand? |
@frozentundra, I've used ML331's, Krell KAV250's and a few other amps in years past and the Bel Canto did something special that the others simply couldn't, put the musicians right in the room with me. I'm not convinced it's the amp that's the issue (although I'm going to borrow a few from friends and test the theory).
The PS DirectStream DAC is very neutral and if anything tips towards the warmer side. I'm also using it to direct the amps directly (no preamp).
The thing is that I had exactly the same system setup in our old home and the synergy was most definitely there. A different room means that it gets loaded slightly differently (and I am working with adding and subtracting as well as moving acoustic panels and diffusers to tame the room).
Moving the Thiel's out further in the room really made a big difference, but the bass is MIA. |
@sandydennis11, The SS3 would be awesome, but you need the external crossover for it. Finding a PX02 set up for the 2.4's is darn near impossible. Otherwise, I agree, that sub would be close to idea. |
Thanks @sandydennis11 really appreciate it. I bought it. Figured that even if I don't find the Thiel subwoofer I want right now, it will make it easier when I do, plus I can use it already with my other subwoofer (and allowing me to roll off the CS2.4, making them easier on the amps). |
@woots, I assume they’re not for sale though... :-) |
The PSA BHK250 is high on the list of amps to try. They're expensive though... Or I might just take a hammer to the piggy bank and spring for the BHK300's right away... there's something very special about mono blocks.
I was toying with the idea of hunting down a pair of CS3.7's, but they're darn near impossible to find. |
@harrylavo, I think that's exactly what I'm going to do. I listened to a few other speakers during last week (some much more expensive than the Thiel's) and I was underwhelmed, just didn't have that "window into music" quality.
The goal is to find a Thiel subwoofer (or a pair would be ideal, but I'll settle for one for now). I already have the Integrator. |
Thanks gosta. I actually ended up getting a Thiel SS2 and an Integrator. It transformed the entire system to levels that I never even thought was possible. Ironically, the biggest different was actually in the midrange and high end of the speakers... another level of purity and smoothness that I didn't think the CS2.4's could do.
The bass with the SS2 is a real marvel. So incredibly fast and well integrated that you never know if it's on or not (unless you shut it off, then it's obvious). |
@btg88, it's not absolutely necessary, specially with the 2.7's, 2.4's or the 2.3's, but it sure doesn't hurt. I would first make sure you have an amp that can deliver lots of current and is stable down to 2ohms... the 2.4's dip pretty low and it's not an easy load for an amp.
You can easily spend MUCH more on the front and and the amp then on the speakers and the Thiel's will still not be the limiting factor. |
@jafant,the addition of a SS2 with an Integrator has been an amazing journey. They totally transformed the speakers (2.4's) by crossing them at 50Hz. The mid range opened up and the top end is oh so smooth and detailed. The most amazing thing is the "expansion" of the space, not only left to right (which was awesome already), but up/down and back/forth. The subwoofer taking over the low end added so much space to the recordings and makes it super easy to pinpoint location of sounds.
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So on a whim I listened to a pair of Audio Physic Avanti 3 (not really a whim as my buddy has a pair of AP Virgo 2's) and the Thiel CS2.4's are now moved into storage. The AP does everything as well as the Thiels, but are smoother (without losing details) and I have never experienced speakers that can simply "disappear" like the AP's can. I'm VERY happy with them.
It's a shame to keep the CS2.4's in storage (although it's in a finished attic, so not much of a storage per se) so I will get them up for sale. The only thing I had to give up with the AP's is that they're in Cherry, not the Maple that makes the 2.4's look so darn awesome! |
@prof, Audio Physic can be wooly unless you give them lots of space and an amp that can control them. I would actually argue that the Avanti 3's are just as magical as the Virgo 2, but just more of everything (better highs, deeper soundstage, deeper bass and more than anything else faster bass) and will completely disappear. I can speak from personal experience as we brought my buddies Virgo 2's over to compare them.
I've heard some of the newer AP models and although they're great, they definitely do lack the magic of the old ones. It's really like a different company after Joachim Gerhardt left. |
I've heard the X150.5's with 2.4's and the sound is quite extraordinary. The .8 is supposed to be a step up (although cut from the same cloth), so I can only imagine that it's a fantastic combination. |
