Thiel Owners

Regarding the ’splat’ in general. The splat is the audible effect of a larger problem. Interaction of fields in the speaker system cause negative sonic effects at all volume levels - becoming worse as volume increases. Some have described the 2.2 as ’veiled’ and/or ’squishy’. Sorting out the internal field and propagation geometric issues lifts that veil and tightens up the squish, and the bass.

I observe two ’types’ of Thiel speakers: those with crossovers distant from the drivers (mainly woofers) and those with XOs in proximity. Those with distant XOs (think CS2.4 or 1.5 & 1.6 or 3.7 & 2.7) share a clean effortlessness that the close XO models don’t manage to attain.

I am developing various solutions short of outboarding the crossovers. Later passive radiators such as the 1.5 were removable, allowing the XO to be moved from behind the woofer to behind the PR. A new CS2.2 removable PR could address this issue. A removable cabinet bottom for repositioning an inboard XO may be feasible. Half the battle is identifying the problem. No end to the fun.

@tomthiel, I’d consider using outboard cross-overs with my CS 3.5’s, especially if they could be optimized for use with upgraded eq’s. Perhaps even an eq > cross-over > amplification progression?

I will try switching the wires but I like the mechanical explanation because this does only happen during moments of extreme bass like that where the driver is moving an extreme amount.

To diagnose the vibration issue, I should remove the woofer and just look for something loose or would you suggest trying to play that clip while the woofer is unscrewed??

Incidentally, when I turned off the amp and cranked the subwoofers by themselves, I also found vibration noise coming from one of the hanging ceiling panels. I was able to resolve it, but there's no way I would have noticed it if the main speakers had been playing too. 

I don't know if this is of help in tracking down what is going on in your system, but I do not hear the same "flutter/buzz/vibration" sound you hear when I play a Qobuz FLAC file of the Boz Skaggs track on my Thiel 2.2s at moderate volume levels. Perhaps I would hear something if I stressed my speakers at a higher volume level, but I'd rather not push them too hard. 

Yeah that's an interesting data point, thank you.
I only get it on my right speaker so far. The only way I can explain how loud I'm playing is roughly 60db spl as reported by the free decibel x iphone app from 1 meter in front of the speaker. It's louder than I normally play them, but not intolerably loud, even when sitting 1 meter from it.

When I go quieter than that by even a little, the noise doesn't happen.