I just picked up a pair of Giant Thiel CS 3.6 towers - towering where a pair of M60 like Michaura M665s used to stand. HOLY SAMOLIE but these things are magnificent. Paid $1200 for a pair in 9/10 condition. I love Axioms but have always had a warm spot (more than that actually) for Thiels and Reference 3a de Capos. I figured, wow, I can snag a pair of giant Thiels for the same price as a pair of the magnificent M80s. Couldn't say no.
The sound? Friends ... unbelievably good. The size? They are substantially taller than the SVS 20-39 sub which I'm not sure I need anymore, because these things have BASS. The mids are sweet enough to bring a tear or two of joy to a music lover's eyes. The highs are high, open, airy and sweet.
I heard some Thiels at CES a couple years ago. Very nice speakers. Have you tried driving them will all your equipment yet to see which sounds best? I know you will.
OK pmb, so your making fun of my addiction. OK, so right now I'm driving them with a big Onkyo Integra M504 with huge twin power meters on the front - they sound just great. But, I'm waiting for one of my Yamaha M80s to come back from the doctor and I'm curious as to which will sound better.
Here's a picture of an M504 currently listed for auction on ebay
I'll keep you all posted.
I recently heard
here that Onkyos really shine.
I love the way the Thiels look. I'd love to hear them.
WOW!! what a nice find. Did they come with a complimentary bib?
I think if I were to go all out for a stereo setup Thiels would be first on the list with Magnepans following behind. BTW 2x6spds, I need to talk tubes with you some time soon. Anyway, enjoy the new monsters.
I too really like the sound of Thiel. Nice grab...
Jason, you should be more cautious in your use of the term "monster"(TM). I've heard that Noel Lee has agents monitoring all audio forums to protect his interests.
CRAP!!! here come the blood-sucking lawyers. What was I thinking using the word "monster" in a discussion about audio equipment. OH NOS!!!
WAIT!! I might still have a way out, I said "monster *S*" not "monster". Different word in my book.
29Hz-20KHz +- 1.5db!!! These are very close to a full range speaker. 86db efficient 4 ohms, they are giving the M504 a work out! Recommended minimum amp power is 100 watts per channel. I don't think they'll work with my 5 wpc tubie.
Oh my but these Thiels are magnificent speakers. They reproduce horns with all the blatt and flatulated magnificence of a live performance. I listened to the Getz/Jobim SACD, Hotel California, Diana Krall, Nowel Jewekes, Paul Simon (Graceland), Dire Straits, Eric Clapton, and I'm pretty stunned by the sound quality.
Accuracy and detail are amazing - you hear everything and the sense of realism - the sense that there are performers in your room or if you close your eyes, your sense that you are in the venue where the music was recorded is very strong. The bass is strong and pure - I've never had a speaker which goes down to the mid 20s at +- 3db and it integrates better than using an outboard subwoofer.
These things are monsters - over 100 lbs each and 4' tall (wide too) so although they're beautiful, the SAF may be an issue.
I'm trying to swap them for a pair of the much smaller Reference 3e De Capo MM-i's.
PMB, I had a Yamaha M80 modified by installing a donkey-d*ck power cord and replacing the odd speaker terminal arrangement with binding posts (I think he used Cardas). Looking forward to getting it back tomorrow and, you were right, I'm going to swap it for the big Onk M504 and see if it makes a difference. The Yamaha is a much more powerful amplfier and may handle the loads (especially the bass demands) of these speakers even better than the Onk.
Anyway, it is interesting to compare a pair of world class $4000(MSRP) to Axioms - and Axioms do not disappoint, especially at their price point. I have not heard Axiom M80s but I have auditioned M60s and enjoy the very similar Michaura M665s, and they are wonderful speakers. My favorite Axioms are the M3Tis (please don't laugh). In any case, the Thiels are amazingly quick, smooth, grainless, and reproduce sound (music and effects) with amazing fidelity, a fidelity I've never heard before.
Congrats on the beautiful speakers. Someday I'll have to have a listen. Unfortunately, when we (Peter and I) were shopping, we didn't even listen to the Theils because of the price. I wish we had. And the Dunlavys (sp?).
2x6, thank you sincerely for sharing the passion and emotion of your experience. In the context of the many speakers and equipment you've owned, your perspective is particularly compelling.
Tough load to drive, though. I'd love to hear them some time.
OK, you're all invited for a listen.
Excellent find.
I heard the 2.4's about 8 months ago and thought they were magnificant. The salesman only played a few music DVD's so I asked him how the 2.4's performed for home theatre. I was told that the Thiel towers were primarily designed for music and lacked the dynamics that are ideal for home theatre....I can't recall his exact words....but it was something to that effect.
Have you tried using your new Thiel's as the fronts for your HT yet? I wonder if they do HT equally as well as music?
Yes. I watched the new King Arthur movie (I think it was released directly to DVD), not bad. These Thiels are MUCH bigger than the 2.4s. I guess the fairest way to describe the CS3.6's in terms of HT is that they knocked me on my butt - frequently.
In reply to:
I was told that the Thiel towers were primarily designed for music and lacked the dynamics that are ideal for home theatre....
That statement should be your first clue that he hasn't one.
I'm waiting for another invite, dude!