I just scored a sweet pair of CS 2.4SE loudspeakers. Anyone else currently or previously owned this model? Owners of the CS 2.4 or CS 2.7 are free to chime in as well. Thiel are excellent w/ both tubed or solid-state gear!
a room size of 20x20, minimum, is the starting point for owning the CS 3.7 speaker. It throws that size of a sound stage. I would label that kind of space large. The CS 2.7 comes into a room smaller in size or a medium space. The Joseph Audio Pearl model is more on-par w/ the CS 3.7 speaker. Both are very fine loudspeakers with the Pearl costing much more. Happy Listening!
I will certainly report my impressions here. It would be cool if the 2.7s work out for me.
After a lengthy auditioning process of numerous smaller speakers, the one left that I'm still considering are the Joseph Audio Perspective speakers - far smaller than the Thiels, but big sound (not as huge as the 3.7s) with gorgeous tonality.
I also played around with the idea of grabbing some JM Reynaud Offrande Supreme V2 monitors, which sounded quite nice.
I've also recently become quite interested in Kudos speakers which have an amazingly vivid and palpable sound, with great tone, but auditions of their higher end models are very hard to come by in North America.
Prof, I was watching those 2.7s, but I did not bid. I have been very curious whether either the 2.7s or 3.7s would be worth the expense to replace my reliable 3.6s. I will be interested to hear your thoughts on comparing the 2.7s with the 3.7s.
you are going to be pleasantly surprised by the CS 2.7 as it is no slouch. I look forward in reading about your impressions, thoughts and comparisons versus the CS 3.7 model. Happy Listening!
Did anyone here notice that nice pair of Thiel 2.7s in ebony on audiogon a few days ago?
I bought them!
(Sorry to anyone who was bidding, I know it sucks to not get an item).
When I first joined the forum it was right after Thiel stopped production of Jim’s designs and I was tormented as to whether to buy a second hand pair of 2.7s or 3.7s. At that time, due to hemming and hawing too long, I lost out on the most gorgeous ebony pair of 2.7s - probably the nicest looking speakers I’d seen, with a finish that is a perfect match for my room.
I ended up with the 3.7s in a gorgeous Morado and as I’ve expressed here, they sound extraordinary but because it’s a living room that also shares duty as a home theater as well, and home theater speakers are already taking up a lot of space, the larger Thiels have to be placed in a non-ergonomic part of the room. If I can downsize at all I can help that issue, as well as the aesthetics of all those speakers in a smaller room. I’ve continued to demo quite a number of possible downsizing speaker replacements...but the Thiel 3.7s are too good for the money and hard to beat sonically.
Seeing this incredibly rare pair of 2.7s come up in the ebony finish I’d lusted over before was something I couldn’t resist. I have to give these a whirl - see if I can keep a good helping of the Thiel sound I love, but allowing a bit of downsizing (even a bit can help out).
I’ve read the very few comparisons on here between the 2.7 and the 3.7 and all come out in favor of the 3.7, so I’m going to go in presuming this will be the case. I’m spoiled by the scale of sound put on by the 3.7 and that may be tough to overcome. Though I’ve also heard from some others who preferred the 2.7 (some say they actually like the 2.7 midrange a bit better).
So, this will be fun, to compare the two. And as a heads up for Thiel lovers: once I’ve decided between keeping the 2.7 or 3.7, one of them will be up for sale after!
I seriously doubt that Thiel had a patent on 1st order cross-overs. There might be others, but the only patents Thiel had that I know of in audio were with re: to subwoofer room proximity signal to amp adjustment.
I think Mike B here in Texas who just replaced the 2.4s he sold to me knows Gary. He's spoken about calling him with questions while I always just call or email Rob. Too bad the new guys trashed the old equipment Jim Thiel had put together to make his prototype drivers. Brings us to the same question of what will happen when the replacement parts are gone from Rob's stock. He already wa render me when I bought a used SS1 sub and had the px02 reconfigured to my 2.4s that they only have the filters left for the 2 series (same works with the 2.7) and I they had no replacement amps for the SS1 although a new series sub was in the works whose amp would be interchangeable. I fear counting on things like that with the owner turnover. I'll shoot Mike an email. He's probably busy these days with a 2 channel with CS6s and a surround with 2.4s, doesn't have much free time. Does anyone know who bought the 3.7s on EBay? I'd love to know what they paid.
interesting query. I suspect that much would be dependent upon how many names were on the original patent? If the 1st order cross-over patent was under Jim Thiel only- I do not see any problem(s) once it expires , no one else comes forward to file another claim.
Since Rob Gillum still holds a residence at Thiel -Kentucky, I wonder if he has a hand or stake in those loudspeaker designs?
Serious question, one of Thiel's long time employees went to Bryston, his name is Gary something. When the patents on Thiel's 1rst order speakers expire, would a company such Bryston or any other company take up the mantle and reproduce "real" Thiels again? A new an improved 2.4 and 3.7. Even a new 7.2.
The Ayre VX-5 now has about 50 hours. Initially the 2.4s revealed the "new amp" pre break-in roughness in its presentation especially in the upper frequencies. We are all aware our Thiels are extremely good at revealing upstream equipment's possible shortcomings (I believe this is what has given many the impression that Thiels have certain issues, I propose that many were blaming the speakers for other system issues the speakers simply exposed). I had used a well broken in demo amp in my system before making my purchase so I was confident that time would improve this "fresh" amp. Also during my demo I operated with balanced interconnects from my VAC preamp while I presently am using single ended until the cables I have ordered arrive. All that being said... the 2.4s have been a clear, and somewhat exciting, listening window into the new amp breakin process. At this point many of the initial rough edges have begun to transform into some of the most enticing aural images, with clarity and increased engagement. Unfortunately I will need to spend many more hours, and many more albums to reach the recommended minimum break-in period of 100 hours. A job assignment I think I will continue to enjoy...
I am currently using a Simaudio 340i integrated with my 3.6's. Previously I had a Pass Labs X150.5 amplifier, 150 into 8ohms, 300 watts into 4ohms with my CS3.5's and it was possibly the best combo I had. So much so I foolishly sold my first one only to buy another later. It's THAT good.
Unsound, another contributor here with a wealth of information regarding Thiel, correctly points out that the 3.6's require considerably more power than the 3.5's to perform best.
I'm currently weighing the possible return to separates and if - I said IF, jafant - I go that way again, Pass Labs tops my list.
Hello! I'm moving over to this forum to continue my journey. I am currently running McIntosh C41 preamp, MC7150 amp, Benchmark DAC1-PRE, Cambridge CXC transport, Realistic LAB-400 turntable and a MacBook pro for Roon, Tidal and ripped ALAC. And of course, my Thiel CS3.6's.
I have the possibility (50%) of selling the pre-amp and amp. I am not unhappy with any of the above pieces. I just enjoy finding a bargain, listening, and then moving up. At some point I might quit the hamster wheel, but for now, its time to change.
I love the 3.6's. So, if I get rid of the pre-amp and map, I could use the Benchmark as a pre (for a while and purchase a phono preamp) and concentrate on getting the best amp for the money. I am looking for something used in the $3k-$4k range. Tube or SS. Since auditioning is difficult in the Cincinnati area, I'm looking for good solid realistic suggestions. I'm all ears!
Thanks! for sharing your newest gear and its integration into your system. For the modern Thiel models, the CS 2.4, is certainly the sweet spot.
Interesting combo (VAC& Ayre) with Audience cabling. I, too, enjoy a tubed pre-amp on a solid-state power amp. Congratulations on your new home and listening room as well.
Give a shout out to your dealer/retailer. Happy Listening!
I would contact Rob Gillum at the Thiel facility in Kentucky and post your query to him. Hopefully, he can track the speaker by its serial number, providing the information you seek.
Keep us posted on your situation. Happy Listening!
The VAC is listed for sale, but have not received an acceptable offer yet. I may have the opportunity to retry it, but I like this new direction a lot. Tubes in the preamp and phono section remain.
Congratulations on your new addition! Larger room is always better and I'm sure you will see that after the move. I hope you still have the tube amp and try it after your move, but Ayre makes excellent products.
Sitting here today beginning the break in period of my new Ayre VX-5 Twenty into my Thiel CS2.4 Delivered from factory to my dealer on Thursday and I picked it up that evening. Put a few hours on these past few nights just enjoying the process. My XLR cables will arrive next week so using my Audience AU24SE RCAs between the VAC Renaissance Mk3 and the Ayre with AU24SE speaker cables. I loved the Thiel with my VAC KT88 amp, but this is a different level of enjoyment. In two weeks the system moves to our newly purchased home where it will have a room mostly dedicated to it and more room to stretch its musical legs. Need to get some hours on the amp now so we are well on our way through the initial break in period. Rick
A pair of Thiel speakers with model printed as 03A on connector board, but a sticker was placed over it that said 04. The sticker also had the serial number.
Only reason I know 03a was underneath is because one sticker fell off .
Thiel appealed to me the most for the fact that one does not have to spend big money to enjoy the music. One can spend any amount to achieve the desired effect or outcome. Choice is yours.
I would never participate in any hobby that has some kind of financial
I get that this is a Thiel thread, but since amplification and cables are being made part of the discussion...
If you ever wonder why our hobby isn’t taken seriously by the majority of sensible people on earth, watching an audiophile recommend that someone should spend $100,000 on amps and a minimum of $50,000 on cables for a high end speaker should be your first clue.
It seems those of us with a skeptical bone in our body are supposed to button our lips in the face of such conversations, for the good of the clan, but sometimes that’s not easy to do. Especially insofar as it makes a hobby that you love seem crazier than something you want to be involved in. This tends to be when I need to step away from the hobby just for the sake of my sanity.
You should stop your wannabe nonsense. The CDP and XM radio in your vehicle is not Reference System. Fine line between fantasy and reality. You are firmly in fantasy.
Yes, System I heard at last years AXPONA was total 250k with CAT electronics. I expected intimate knowledge and first hand experience for this kind of recommendation; Not what you can read on the internet and suppose, dream and take a wild guess at. My post says; I liked a pair that I heard. Not that I was buying. Rockports are what I am interested in and would easily match with my Pass amps. I think you surf the web and waste dealers time auditioning cables and equipment. Stick with your Thiels and buy a system that you can post and listen.
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