I'm using one between a pair of 2.3's. For years I resisted it is startlingly expensive for a center channel, I agree. Finally bit the bullet and found one used. What can I say, it's as nice as you would expect from Thiel. Expensive though it may be, the good folks at Thiel are straight shooters, and you get what you pay for. It's a really nice speaker.
Is it worth it for a center channel? Dunno. I suspect that it's overkill for my system (the HT bits of which are running off of a Marantz receiver). I have no reservations whatsoever about the mains, which are driven by appropriately refined equipment, but I have always suspected that I may not be getting everything possible out of the center due to what I am using to make it go. What more, the level of expectations that I put on a center channel are much lower than what I demand from the mains which pull primary duty in a dedicated 2-channel system. When it comes to the HT (the only time when the center is put to work), my only real requirement is that I can understand what the hell people are saying. Yes, I am happy to presume there is a seamless soundstage across the front because of the similar drivers, blah, blah, blah but what do I know? Perhaps its just so perfect I barely notice it and would scream and tear my hair out if it were gone, but Im not entirely convinced that a much more modestly priced speaker couldnt play the dialog bits just as adequately. Glad to have it, to be sure but I hesitate to say I need it. (Ok, I clearly NEED it in the sense we all understand too well, but that goes without saying ).
As for the surrounds, not a chance. I went with a pair of Definitive Technology bi-polar surrounds, $450 used for the pair used, hung from the wall, and have no regrets. Perhaps Im wrong, but just not convinced theres all that much critical info coming from the back. Whistles, bells, bullet zings, and a host of gee-wiz effects-type stuff, sure but do you need a high-end, refined and (above all) expensive speaker to pull that off? Not in my house.
If you like the Thiels, why not hang onto the B&W center for a bit and see how it goes? If you don't find yourslef wishing for a Thiel center, don't. If you do, then you'll clearly have your reasons (defining "need" is so insideously personal, after all...) and there you go. Just my thoughts. Enjoy.
Is it worth it for a center channel? Dunno. I suspect that it's overkill for my system (the HT bits of which are running off of a Marantz receiver). I have no reservations whatsoever about the mains, which are driven by appropriately refined equipment, but I have always suspected that I may not be getting everything possible out of the center due to what I am using to make it go. What more, the level of expectations that I put on a center channel are much lower than what I demand from the mains which pull primary duty in a dedicated 2-channel system. When it comes to the HT (the only time when the center is put to work), my only real requirement is that I can understand what the hell people are saying. Yes, I am happy to presume there is a seamless soundstage across the front because of the similar drivers, blah, blah, blah but what do I know? Perhaps its just so perfect I barely notice it and would scream and tear my hair out if it were gone, but Im not entirely convinced that a much more modestly priced speaker couldnt play the dialog bits just as adequately. Glad to have it, to be sure but I hesitate to say I need it. (Ok, I clearly NEED it in the sense we all understand too well, but that goes without saying ).
As for the surrounds, not a chance. I went with a pair of Definitive Technology bi-polar surrounds, $450 used for the pair used, hung from the wall, and have no regrets. Perhaps Im wrong, but just not convinced theres all that much critical info coming from the back. Whistles, bells, bullet zings, and a host of gee-wiz effects-type stuff, sure but do you need a high-end, refined and (above all) expensive speaker to pull that off? Not in my house.
If you like the Thiels, why not hang onto the B&W center for a bit and see how it goes? If you don't find yourslef wishing for a Thiel center, don't. If you do, then you'll clearly have your reasons (defining "need" is so insideously personal, after all...) and there you go. Just my thoughts. Enjoy.