Thiel Owners

oblgny,

I thoroughly agree about Thiel's and bass.  I've enthused about this often.  It is the most tonally controlled bass I've ever experienced.
When a stand up bass plays there is none of that added bit of blur/bloom at the bottom that you hear with most speakers.  You hear that vibrating string and soundboard resonating - and only that - all the way to the floor as it were.  And all the bass energy remains focused right where the instrument is coming from, making even low bass just as holographically placed as any other part of the spectrum.  They are such an achievement!

I have really enjoyed following this discussion over the last year. I have been more passive with opinions because I recognize that all of our senses are clearly subjective.

oblgny...

I'm reflecting back on our exchange on this discussion 8/31/16. Since I have owned 3.6s for over 6 years and have never heard the 3.5s, I will be waiting in anticipation about your opinions regarding the comparison. The only change that I have made the last couple of years is selling my Audio Research Ref 5 and buying a preowned 5SE in December here on Audiogon. I'm still very content with my current setup.

prof...

I also followed your discussion with the change from 3.6s to 3.7s, since we have a lot in common. I also have a fairly small listening room and sit about 7-8 feet from my 3.6s. I have been contemplating moving to the 3.7s myself if I can find a pair close-by and affordable. Prof, are there any attributes of the 3.6s you miss that you're not getting with the 3.7s?

Thanks, Jon

p.s By the way, there is a pair of 3.6s for sale locally here on Craigslist in Birmingham allegedly from an original owner, but without the boxes. https://bham.craigslist.org/ele/6053373347.html

jonandfamily,

I never had the 3.6s, though I heard them many times "back in the day."
I preferred the CS6's over the 3.6, and had the CS6's for quite a while.
(They worked well in my small room; the 3.7s work even better).

Nothing I miss about any previous Thiel's over the 3.7s.  Jim's final designs somehow managed to keep all the great things we love about Thiel speakers - the aliveness, believability of transients, instrumental timbre, etc, but increasing coherency and smoothness in the upper mid/treble, for an even more organic sound.  It's seems ironic to me that Thiel over the years has had the reputation for ruthlessly revealing and being bright.  I have very sensitive ears - including Tinnitus - so if a speaker is bright or hashy sounding at all, I have real problems.  The 3.7s (especially combined with my CJ amps) have been about the smoothest, most fatigue free sound I've ever had in my room.  I can listen for hours without my ears getting too tired or sensitive.

BTW, as I mentioned, despite my adoration for my 3.7s I may have to sell them for ergonomic reasons.  Not that they don't work perfectly in my smallish room (13 x 15), but rather because I have other speakers in there
taking up room for home theater, I have to place the 3.7s right at the room opening, which makes it awkward getting in and out, among other things.
I really need a smaller speaker only in that regard.   Sonically, they are as close to perfectly balanced as I've heard in my room or anywhere else.

Very nice! prof

I will re-fresh my memory on your link. Happy Listening!

Always good to see you- oblgny
my pleasure helping you w/ Transparent cabling. It is a very fine company backed w/ very fine customer service. Cannot go wrong.

Happy Listening!