Thiel Owners

Rocktober Friday! All

Happy Friday! All

Hello Everyone!

I'm looking for the specs on the Thiel Subwoofer Integrator.  I want to see if there is a way to do the same thing with something like MiniDSP.

Also if the specs on the boundary filters on the SmartSubs are available that would be great.

solobone22

Stay tuned until one of our Smartsub experts chime in to address your query.

Happy Listening!

Columbus Day- All

All-

Over on USADM there is a pair of CS 2.4SE in White Oak stain for sale. NC area.

I reached out to the owner to inquire about this color other than Vermillion Red.

I hope these loudspeakers find the next good home.

Happy Listening!

2nd Note;

Original Outriggers are included as above.

Happy Listening!

3rd Note,

The very nice owner reported that his pair are upgraded from stock to SE kit status.

These speakers are clean and well-cared condition by an Audiophile.

Happy Listening!

Happy Friday! All

A pair of CS7 showed up on USADM. They seem reasonably priced at $2.5k, if you happen to be in Nashville TN that is (local pickup only).

One wonders why anyone selling high-end speakers online would only show 3 vague pics of said speakers, none of which even gives a glimpse of the drivers.

devinplombier

Nice catch!  I hope these CS7 loudspeakers find the next good home.

Happy Listening!

@tomthiel  Would you happen to have the specs to the Integrator and room compensation components on the SmartSubs?

Happy Friday- All

Hey all, I’m in the process of building a new retirement home and have two Thiel Powerplane 1.2 in wall speakers that I want to install to use in a two channel system. I read the Thiel owners/instruction manual which states that you don’t just want to mount them to drywall alone due to vibration possibility. I contacted Rob Gillum and purchased two metal support templates that fit between 16” center wall studs. Looks like a good solution for support and so that the drywall people can cut the correct hole. 
I guess my concern is that the studs are 2x4’s which in reality are 3.5 inches wide and the speaker dimension for depth is 3 and 7/8. Now, the drywall itself is a half inch which should bring the width to 4 inches. It’s cutting it close, but my assumption is that it should fit….anybody out there that has mounted these and can validate? 
I plan to do a “dry fit” before running speaker wire, but thought I would ask.

cawgijoe

Good to see you here again.  Stay tuned until one of our Power plane experts chimes in to address your query. We have a few fans/owners of the PP on The Panel.

What other gear are you planning for your retirement home? Feel free to post and save pics for a Virtual Systems page. That would be very educational.

Happy Listening!

cawgijoe,

I installed PowerPlene 1.2 speakers in a conventional 2x4 wall cavity (studs 16" o.c.) without problem, though my sheetrock was 5/8" thick, not 1/2". Long dimension of the speakers are parallel to the studs. I don't think the additional 1/8" is a big deal but YMMV. They've been installed since 2016 without problem.

Good luck!

rojacob,

Speakers will be horizontal. I went over and measured today. I will have 1/8 inch clearance. So it will work. 
Need to figure out how to post pics.

Thanks!

@tomthiel thats unfortunate - thanks for looking!

@prof regarding 2.7 vs 3.7 is the latter that much better in the bass?  I'm looking at either upgrading to 3.7 or building custom subs.  This will be to fill out the bottom in large scale orchestra and organ works.

@solobone22 

Ironically, that’s a question. I sought to answer myself, but I’m not sure I ever truly answered.

When I had both the  3.7 and 2.7 at the same time, I found it they were very close in terms of the sense of bass depth.  Although I could tell that 3.7 went a tiny bit lower, and had a slightly bigger sense of overall scale.

After I sold the 3.7 s,  I was generally fine with the frequency range of the 2.7, but I finally did try and integrate a couple of subwoofers.  I had two JL Audio 110E subs, a terrific CR1 crossover, and a Dspeaker Anti mode for room correction in the bass.

The difference was actually pretty subtle subjectively in terms of extending the bass  and what it added to the sound.  I would say, yeah, it added, perhaps a bit more scale and dimensionality.  But I don’t really I didn’t like this slight change the characteristics that the subwoofers brought to the overall sound.  Plus I found at least my room 2.7 sounded more punchy without the subwoofers.  So I sold them.

Ultimately, if you upgrade to the 3.7s what I think you’ll get is a little more reach in the bottom, but not a lot.  But also some greater scale to the sound in terms of imaging and sound staging, and slightly more refinement overall to the sound.  The bass is a bit more linear, The mid range and highs a bit more suave and refined, and the 3.7 speakers disappear a little bit better.   

I hope that’s helpful. 

Hi,

I used to have a pretty great analog system driving a pair of 3.6s. I was powering them with 300 watts SS. I had to get rid of that system, except the speakers of course. In the meantime I was listening to a pair of 1.6 driven by a Conrad Johnson Classic 60se, a tube amp. It was a glorious match. I know the philosophy was tube preamp and SS amp, but I now believe it is the amp, the last thing in the chain, that "voices" the speaker. l have read that tube watts are entirely different than SS watts, but I thought I'd ask the gurus to weigh in.

How many tube watts do I need to drive 3.6, and later 6s, to very loud levels. Garage is 20 x 20 ft with 8-foot ceilings.

bill10907

Good to see you here again. I concur, the CJ Classic 60se is a very fine Amp to drive Thiel CS 1.6 or CS 1.7 loudspeakers.  What gear and cabling is in your system currently?  Nice space 20x20x8.

Happy Listening!

solobone22

Nice reply from prof on your CS 2.7 v. CS 3.7 query. I will second, the CS 3.7 with more Bass output. Reason being the CS 3.7 commands a larger room, the owner can employ a larger Power Amp, achieving greater low end energy.

Happy Listening!

Jafant,

Nothing! Just my pair of 3.6. I want to get an integrated tube amp, Cardas Clear or Cardas Clear Beyond for cables, and something to stream with. Budget is 10-12 grand CAN. I don't buy new. Future will be CS6s, but not now. 

Used to have clear beyond cables, Classe 400 watts, ARC PH8 phono, ARC REF 3 pre, Clearaudio Performance SE table, and a Stradivari cartridge. Looking to build a new system anchored with tube amp.

After using the CJ 60se in my 1.6 house system, I think the Classe "voiced" the speakers, not the tubes feeding the amp feeding the 3.6.

Love CJ, but will 45 tube watts be enough? How about 75? Will I need 200 tube watts?

That is my first question: wattage?

bill10907

Nice "old" system.  The good news is that Thiel speakers does respond well to Tubed gear (CJ, P.S. Audio, VAC and VTL) just to name a few.  I am a big fan of the CJ CAV 45 control amp. I would like to see the S3 version with more current and power output.  Great opportunity there. Let's see how CJ approaches the next version.  Classe' is certainly a sonic match.

Now, to address your Wattage query.  Anywhere from 50 to 300 watts will be sufficient. Much will depend on your room and volume preference.  Keep me posted as you demo the Amps.

Happy Listening!

@prof @jafant thank you for providing your perspective and experience with the 2.7/3.7!

bill10907

You might check out my setup in my primary “Virtual System”. After having high powered Krell, Bryston, McIntosh etc with my 3.6s, I’ve been very happy with Audio Research tubes on amp and preamp.

I started with VSi60 integrated amp with KT 120s, then Ref 110, Ref 75, Ref 150 and now Ref 250 mono amps. Each amp had classic ARC sound with huge soundstage (tall, wide and deep), separation with precise imaging and I think you’d be surprised at how well the VSi60 Watt integrated amp drives the big Thiels in spite of most recommending high powered solid state amps. 

@jonandfamily have you tried the 3.6 replacement tweeter?  If you did do you have the measurements with the OEM tweeter vs the replacement soft-dome?

jonandfamily

Good to see you here today. A very nice journey and upgrade path over the years.

I will check out your Virtual System page.

Happy Listening!

solobone22

My pleasure.  Keep me posted as you replace the 3.6 tweeter.

Happy Listening!

solobone22

I replaced with the soft dome tweeters over a year ago, acquired through Rob at Coherent Source and I'm very pleased. Very similar sound with subtle decrease in sibilance. I have not done any REW measurements.

jonandfamily

Thank You for the 3.6 Tweeter follow up.  Good to read a positive experience with Rob at CSS as well.

Happy Listening!

Happy November! All

Well, Decided to Setup the MCS1 speakers and REL S/812. Sounds very similar to the CS2.4’s so far but I’m not sure about setting the sub crossover exact as I should. Does anyone have tips for doing it? some frequencies are not apparent but that could be because I have standing on the floor (currently looking for stands)

Get stands first.  There are methods for dialing in settings (I have a pair of S/812s with my 3.7s).  REM (https://www.roomeqwizard.com/) is free and one will need a USB mic (like https://www.daytonaudio.com/product/1116/umm-6-usb-measurement-microphone) and to run the program.  There's also things like the Studio Six Digital Audio Tools App (https://studiosixdigital.com/audiotools-modules-2/acoustic-analysis-modules/) for use with a phone or tablet along with a mic (e.g. https://www.daytonaudio.com/product/1117/imm-6-idevice-calibrated-measurement-microphone) or use of an outboard RTA (for example I have an old Audio Control R130 like this one - https://reverb.com/item/12254790-audiocontrol-r-130-real-time-analyzer-rta-analog-see-what-your-mixes-sound-like)

Hey All, I picked up a pair of Thiel CS2 speakers that seem to be in good shape, I'll get the grills off and tested soon.  They will be for sale in the Austin TX area, so if you know anyone looking let me know.  Hopefully the tweeters are good. 

Happy Friday! All

longboardluv

Thank You for the post. I hope those CS2 speakers find the next good home.

Happy Listening!

Hello again,

Thanks for those who posted in response to my tube power question. BTW, I ended up buying a Mac7200. It is SS with 200 watts and is stable for the 3.6 load. It has a phonostage and DAC...that was a deciding factor. I was an ARC guy, so I see how I like it. Does anyone experience with this pairing?

TIA, Bill

Happy Veterans Day- All

bill10907

Thank You for the McIntosh update.  Keep me posted as you massage the 7200 into your room/system.

Happy Listening!

Happy Friday! All

I am back :-).

I sold my CS2.4 a few years ago, and after that I regretted ever since. And I’ve been waiting for a pair showing up here at Audiogon for a few months. Just a week ago, one pair came up for $1500 and I wasted no time getting them.

Their is also a pair of CS3.7 here locally in Socal but the asking price is $5500 which is a bit more than I am willing to spend.  I think the CS2.4 is good enough for me.

Now it’s all good.

andy2

Good to see your return. Nice catch! on those CS 2.4 speakers. What other gear and cabling are you planning for the system?

Happy Listening!

What other gear and cabling are you planning for the system?

Not in the near future.  I currently have a Pass XP-10 preamp.  If I have to change one thing, it would be the preamp for a tube unit.  My system is all SS so the midrange is a bit on the lean side.  A tube preamp would add a bit of bloom to the midrange.