Thiel Owners
esprits4s, Noted. Right now I have one of a few different models. I would like to get 2-3 of a model as it will distribute the cost of CAD/Modeling, Programming, and initial set up time amongst a few parts cutting the cost down per unit. Thiel never made outriggers for CS3.6, CS5, CS 5i, CS6, CS 7, and CS7.2 so I assumed members with these models would have wanted a set of outriggers. I'm keeping a list and those who have reached out and will move forward when the quantity for each model allows me to proceed and keep cost down. Thx |
Hi Jafant, I brought home an AQ Niagra power conditioner with an AQ Hurricane power cord. Ow! That hurt the wallet a bit. It was the price of a very good amplifier. Regardless, it is not going back to the store. The biggest improvement? The highs are now creamylicious. That's the best way to describe it. The Thiels really sing now. Even digital highs are so smooth and sweet. I know it is costly but I'm a believer now on what clean power can do. And this Niagra replaced a Furman Elite 15i. I thought the Furman was good. Our Thiel speakers still have a lot to give us even decades later. Remarkable speakers. |
duramax747 Right On! Thank you for such a generous offer to our members of the Panel. I most certainly do not object having a Manufacturer here. PLease feel free to carry on offering upgrades to our beloved Thiel loudspeakers. I will 2nd your thoughts on Walmart and any other American business cutting corners and junk-sourcing goods/wares to china. Our hobby, Audio, is not immune to such practices. Happy Listening! |
Thiel is no longer made and they were outsourcing overseas toward the end before doors were closed. Yes, there are US made products in audio industry but that percentage is dropping and yet the prices continue rise. We have had audio companies call us kicking tires and get a price only to see them go over seas and then sell their wares here as if it was made here in the good ole USA. |
I assure you I get it. A good majority of Audio products/components are made overseas and yet the price remains in the realm of product made here in the USA where workers deserve to receive a respectable wage, healthcare, retirement, etc.... to take care of their families. Our purchasing decisions have consequences. Case in point when Wal-Mart touted American made. They beat down manufacturers to lowest price for high volume then dropped them on their head only for these companies to close their doors permanently. Look where the majority of products are made now? How is that working for us? |
The predecessor of Starsound Technologies was asked back in the late 90's or early 2000's to offer up an outrigger design for a new Thiel narrow body floor standing speaker that was likely to tilt with a drive by touch. I worked for a retailer in those days which sold Thiel products. I had converstations with the then sales manager about this product after he heard such a huge benefit at my home to my Dunlavy SC4s which were mounted on Sistrum platforms. Our downsized and revised design and material choices were rejected in favor of a super low cost stabilizer sourced from China with virtually no sonic benefit or enhancement. A virtual kick stand only. Tom |
jafant, I think you are missing the intent of offering a group offer. This offer was to make outriggers that mirrored what JT did on the CS2.4SE. Outriggers would be larger and thicker for larger models while maintaining proportions the outriggers have with the CS2.4SE. The Sound Anchors stands you referred to do not screw into the bottom of your Thiel's like the outriggers do. They are more of a universal stand than an outrigger which is designed specifically for a Thiel speaker. I take a purist approach so if I was ever fortunate enough to own a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO I would keep to the lines the designer intended and not bolt on aftermarket aero or the like. I wanted to provide members/users with Thiel speakers an option to couple their speaker and stabilize them as if JT designed it. Funny I thought there would be value in that. These were not being made in my garage. We have a 36,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. We are primarily a professional motorsports company that produce parts for Formula 1, Indy, NASCAR, track cars, and street series. We also do aero space and defense projects. We do some audio but turn most away as the majority do not have an on staff engineer we can converse with concerning their CAD/modeling files. My offer was never intended to take away from Rob and the service he provides. It wasn't meant to be an ad in the forums to drum up business. It was merely an offer to assist members who wanted to maintain the integrity of their Thiel speakers and provide stability and a sonic gain as JT intended on the original design of the outrigger. |
I wanted to point out a pair of SS-1 Smartsubs going for an exceptional price on Ebay. They are pickup only, buyer didn’t want to deal with packaging/shipping unless they didn’t go in auction. Since they now have one bid, they will go. San Jose (CA) is a bit too far drive from the Midwest, so I’m out, but if there are any of you closer and so inclined… https://www.ebay.com/itm/124864673964?hash=item1d1283b8ac:g:Jd8AAOSwibthId2W |
I found this to be the best value for my needs. $75 minimum order for free shipping so 21 pieces takes me there enough for at least 4 speakers. F10 I think is a off color white wool..Tom https://www.zoro.com/zoro-select-felt-sheet-f10-18-in-t-12-x-12-in-2fjz4/i/G0648715/ |
@tomthiel What do you think about this? https://www.etsy.com/listing/191182560/thick-wool-felt-3mm-18-x-18-100-wool?ref=shop_home_active_42 The Felt Company has a 2 yard minimum for Sutherland F11, about six times more than I need! |
Looking for a source for wool felt for my new speaker build. Found this company Zorro felt. They have a wide variety described by thickness and density. I may choose 1/8 inch low density to line the walls and a light amount of natural wool in the greater box volume carefull to not restrict the port. Will double or triple a layer of felt and attach to the back of the magnet and tweeter housing. The cabinet has no 90 degree angles inside or out and is cast granite with the area around the woofer 1.75 inches thick. Any suggestions are welcome .Tom |
As of a couple years ago, Rob Gillum still had CS2.4 upgrade “kits”. Basically, the Clarity Cap SA coax feed caps plus polished outriggers. Perhaps he also has outriggers for other models? Of course, anyone wanting to upgrade their 2.4 can now do better than the Clarity SA which dates back to circa 2008. The SA caps have twice been upgraded (CSA is current version) and Tom Thiel hinted that an even better version is on tap. Of course, you probably won’t be able to get the full 14 and 28 uF in single caps (which is highly desirable over the 13+1 and 27+1 found even in Lexington-sourced boards). |
Tom, Thank you for the information. I learned something. I ordered a new throw rug for my room to go in front of the speakers. I unwittingly ordered a wool rug because I like wool and I opted for the more expensive fiber pad instead of the much cheaper rubber pad. I didn’t know I was doing what’s best acoustically. |
More than ever, with the climate in the US, we need solidarity not division. I want to do good within this community and the communities I can influence. I have those Thiel models in my possession that I listed, so if info is provided for other models I am willing to proceed as I in no way want to exclude anyone in this community if there is a genuine interest. I'll have to go a cost analysis to determine the minimus run number to achieve a certain price point. I can say with confidence it will be cheaper than the $600 they were selling g for per unit. |
Wanted to throw this out there to members interested. I am willing to do a group buy for outriggers for various models. I can do CS2.3, CS2.4, CS 2.4SE, CS 6, CS 7.2 as I have these measurements to create a CAD file. They will be similar to design of original with slight improvements. Material will be 60 series aluminum unless other material is preferred. These will be made in the USA. |
Tony - I am not surprised you heard improvements with your wood floor. That is consistent with my long-term experience with hi fi and live sound. One problem with carpet is its frequency-variability; different frequency bands are absorbed or not in non-linear ways. For the record, I have gotten best carpet results, including at Thiel's Music Room in Lexington, with wool carpet over commercial hair-pad underlayment. That's when carpet is necessary, such as when covering concrete where wood is not an option. In live performance, ensembles and/or the piano is often placed on carpet to quiet the reflections for the player(s). It does that, but not linearly with frequency; plus the effect in the audience is often an unpleasant harmonic unpredictability. In my personal experience, it doesn't get any better than a wood floor. The record-making process tends to assume a wood floor for playback, as does the underlying theoretical physics. Jim's designs all employ a 2dB shelf below 200Hz in the anechoic response to account for the presence of a floor - converting the full-sphere anechoic response to the half-sphere in-room response. Some brands ignore this design element. Some users call Jim's designs "lean", etc. That "leanness" is exacerbated by carpet, sucking out some areas of response. Congratulations on your wood floor. Music heals some aches and pains. |
Hi everyone. I just made a change to my listening room. I removed the carpet and installed 3/4" hardwood flooring. The upgrade exceeded my expectations. The Thiel CS6's have never sounded better. The new floor not only made the bass tighter and clearer but it also makes the speakers sound faster. I'm am rethinking the idea of new speakers now. Check out my system page for more details and pictures. I gave up on the contractors and installed the wood floor myself. I lost 10 lbs in 2 days putting down 500 sqft of flooring. I was tired, sore, stiff and angry that I had to do it myself. That all melted away as soon as I played the first song. |
