beetlemania...
Yes, considering that they had been in a very small apartment the overall condition of the cabinets is very good. There are a few very minor surface scratches, a swirl or two from a cloth wipe, but nothing that will concern me while listening from twelve feet away. (We measured.) They’re black lacquer finished, so the imperfection on the bottom of one speaker should be a simple cosmetic job.
Yesterday morning my buyer on the Maggie MMGi’s showed up and we had the opportunity to do a quick comparison. He was readily familiar and appreciative of Maggies as I am, but had never heard a Thiel before. To repeat the obvious, Thiels are Maggies with more bass. The 2.4’s filled in the bass at my preferred and conservative listening level, but we both felt that both delivered in spades the accurate and articulate mids and highs.
Oddly enough, I found that the Maggies had a more defined “sweet spot”, quite small but more dialed in than the 2.4’s. It was an enjoyable comparison to say the least.
I have the 2.4’s sitting atop a pair of maple blocks I had laying around - which was what the Maggies were on as well. This raises them another 3 inches. This is probably speaker heresy of some sort, but I compared listening to them on and off the blocks and, well, couldn’t hear any significant difference. I already have a series of holes in the floor on either side of the equipment cabinet from previous spikes, so I’m content to leave them on the blocks. For now, anyway.
So typical of many Thiel owners whom I’ve purchased from, the seller expressed he was relieved to know his were finding “a good home.” This was not the first time I’ve heard that. It will possibly be the last time because there ain’t nuttin’ making me sell these off.
Down the road when and if I possess the scratch to consider the crossover upgrade I probably will. For now, mated to this absolutely excellent Belles 250i Integrated amp I could not be happier with the return of Thiel to my house. I will remember my previous statement that Thiels are an investment, not a purchase THIS time. These are going into my will.
