Thiel Owners

I finally joined the ranks of Thiel owners with a pair of PSCs. Happy birthday to me!

Question: Does anyone know what the screw-in panel on the bottom is for? Is it part of the stand mounting system or only for access into the cabinet?

@jafant I am using my mid-level Luxman C-12/M-12 combination. I am in a temporary housing situation, so the full system is still in boxes. Still, thus far I am impressed.

To put my choices in perspective, a year or so back I decided to focus on smaller speakers because 90% of my listening is at moderate (70-80 dBA) volume levels. I was planning to get KEF Reference 1s but opted for the KEF R3 Meta a month ago because right now is not the time for the more expensive speakers. The KEF R3 Meta is surprisingly good. It produces very tight, deep bass and the midrange/treble is very clear. The soundstage is very good, too.

When compared to the KEFs, the PCS speakers have more nuanced response (more cohesive and balanced) and, more important to me, a better-filled soundstage. I listen to a lot of live performances (mostly jazz) where one can discern where instruments are placed: The PCSes create a wide, dense soundstage that approaches the KEF Reference 1 and perhaps the Eclipses. I seem to be within the performance with the PCS rather than looking at it with the KEF R3s.The KEFs produce greater clarity and response overall, but the PCS sounds like one speaker whereas the KEFs seem like a collection of drivers. The R3 is still impressive, but the Thiel soundstage is what I crave.

Since these speakers seem designed for use with subwoofers, I dragged out one of mine and hooked it up. Few speakers that I have heard work as well with a subwoofer as the PCSes.

I was keeping an eye out for a pair of CS2.4s, but when I saw these, I needed to get them if only out of curiosity. They might fit my needs better than the 2.4.

I have owned Dahlquists, Vandersteens, and a variety of other speakers, but now I understand the Thiel presentation. Very nice. Very, very nice.

Are there any Thiel owners in the Metro Atlanta (GA) area willing to let me audition their CS1.x, CS2.x, or CS3.x speakers?

My attempt at a brief explanation: I love the wide, open soundstage and treble articulation of my Dahlquist DQ-10s but want more overall tonal balance—especially in the midrange. I have a set of Acoustic Research AR90s which are fantastic but do not have a similar soundstage. The AR90s also need to be played somewhat loudly to sound right.

I recently got a set of Vandersteen 2Ce Signature IIs: The soundstage is nearly as good as the DQ-10s (a bit too center focused but still good) with very good overall neutral tonal balance. The Vandersteens are a bit weak in the bass and I find my subwoofers (SVS SB3000s) help most of the time. Mostly.

I have realized that most of my listening (at least 50% jazz, a mix otherwise) is at moderate listening levels. That is why I opted for the Model 2 Vandersteens. I rarely get my preamp (Luxman 5C50 running Luxman B-12s) past its second volume detent.

Thiels have always been on my radar but they are rarely available in this area. I like the CS3.5 and up but think they might be too similar to the AR90s in the sense that I will need to play them loudly to sound good. It seems the CS2.x series is equivalent to the Vandersteen 2Ce series but perhaps with better treble and wider soundstage. I also am interested in the CS1.x series in the chance that a smaller speaker might suit most of my listening habits better.

Alternative insight is, of course, welcomed. I have figuratively painted myself into a corner of sorts.

@jonandfamily I remember Audio Alternative well! We both are showing our ages by that reference. HiFi Buys is not quite the same, sadly. If no one locally pops up, I might take you up on your kind offer.

A pair of PCSes is available in Florida for anyone interested. I am very pleased with mine using a subwoofer. I cannot vouch for this particular seller, though.

Question: Did the PCS originally come in a black finish/veneer?

*Sigh*

I have been searching for a pair of CS2.4s (or 2.7) within a reasonable distance from Atlanta but nothing—but they seem to be scattered about the northeast and the left coast.

Some day.

Some day.

There is a set of walnut 2.4s for sale in Trappe, MD. If someone is willing to help get them to me (metro Atlanta area) that would be wonderful, but if you want a pair, this seems to be a nice deal. Boxes, manuals, even outriggers.