I would pass on this one if I were you. It looks like those speakers have more problems than a math test. |
Do not let the price confuse you with the issue. I'm with Zd542. |
What kind of dealer would not take time to fix such an issue? Run away. |
Agree with the others, obvious questions....could it have been other equipment? Did it happen on every recording? What was the source? Some recordings pull to the right because they were engineered that way.... |
Thanks all.
Pops: It happened in every recording I listened to -- about 6 or 7 different ones. There were two sources (CDP and computer), one amp. But the salesman listened with me and then again later and was convinced that there is an audible problem. Believe me, if he had ben able to make it go away by switching amps or some such, he would have, because he knew I would have bought them.
Don't harsh on the dealer. They took them in on trade having been told they were not working -- as a favor to the client upgrading. When I called asking if they had any used speakers I might be interested in, they didn't even mention them. They had some others I wanted to check out. When I got there, I saw the 3.6s -- which I have wanted but haven't shown up locally -- and was told they didn't work, and were likely to be sold as cabinets alone. I asked what was wrong and whether they could be fixed. they said they'd check them out. When I called a couple days later they said that much to their surprise they were working. So I went for a listen, and discerned the balance issue, which was subtle, but pretty definite once you became aware of it.
Surely these speakers can be fixed! The question is whether I should undertake to get that done without knowing exactly what the problem is. And so far you 'gonners seem to think I should not. |
If you really want to get to the bottom of it, swap all the drive units first. If problem follows, you can eliminate the crossovers. If it's the drivers, you'll have to then compare each one with its counterpart using an SPL meter and a test signal. On the other hand, if it's the crossover, good luck! |
I also say no matter the price stay away (unless free or say $50 the pair) When even the dealer is unable to fix them.. (any claim they will 'help you after you buy' is all balony. If they cannot fix them prior to money changing hands... forget it. |
Why don't you give Thiel a call? It might be worth it to have them fix it. If you like them that much you should make some calls . |
even if Thiel will do it, you have to ship the speakers there....not cheap. |
They typically sell for $1200 or so. See some for $1000 on Audiomart right now. Seen them as cheap as $800 even.
Let me tell you about dealers. He very well knew about it, you think he didn't test it out and hear it? He did, it was just so small a difference he thought he could pass them on and hope you wouldn't notice. It's his job to test them and know what's going on. If it's an easy fix he'd have done it. It's not an easy fix.
And I don't care how much you love a dealer, I've seen plenty of them do some sleazy things, even though I used to think they were great people. Look at it this way, he knows what the bluebook is also, and it's obviously not worth it for him to fix. But he still needs to sell them. And he's barely giving you around bluebook anyway. Yeah what a swell guy and swell deal for you. REally not even a deal, just low bluebook. Most likely they really were not working and they did a cheap fix with cheap parts. Hence the sound difference. Know what's going to happen to them now? He's going to sell them to someone who didn't catch the difference. Really you bought that line about not having his tech fix them? That was a BS line you bought. He already knows what is wrong that is why his tech guy is not going to look at them. So still think he's a great guy? Yeah me neither. |
Wow that's some impressive cynicism, Kacz. |
No one should discount cynicism. Plenty of really seemingly nice guys are total crooks. It is part of the package. Great smile, charming,.. And a total con artist. So i would never overlook checking out anyones golden offer. Plenty of them are nasty traps.
And the bigger the smile, and more gladhanded they are.. the more you need to step back and check it all out.
Only if you had multiple dealings with the person, and all were great. Then I would relax a bit. |
Another vote here for passing on that pair. The market on used 3.6s has dropped over the past few years (I overpaid for mine six years ago). For a few hundred more dollars, you can probably find a pair that is fully functioning. Good luck. |
I would be more generous than Liz and offer $350.02 only after repairs are done and speakers are properly functioning. |
Pass. For less than the cost of having them misrepaired (yes, I know), you could find a pair in much better condition. |
Wow this is unprecedented neat unanimity, which makes me suspect my formulation of the issues.
Anyone wanna sell me some thiel 3.6 in perfect functional and unobjectionable cosmetic shape? If not, what else you got that can clearly compete as a definite step up successor to my cs2 2s? |
""unanimity''.. WhY? Because nearly everyone has been burned buying some chunk of junk that 'only needs a ____, and it is such a DEAL..' Yeah right.
ANYTIME I see an electronics item with a "needs... I skip it. Period. If it WAS easy to fix they WOULD HAVE FIXED IT. Any other story is a stretch. |
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Phasecorrect: what was the rhetorical question? My last two were sincere. |
I've been building and repairing speakers all of my adult life. I would not suspect a crossover issue. I suspect a slight rub in the midrange driver on the lower output speaker... Enough to weaken its output, but not enough to hear a rub. I suspect that if you crankem up with some material with abundant upper bass, lower midrange, you will be able to hear a rub. |
Couple of things to try: 1) get a price from Thiel for a replacement passive radiator and, 2) go back to the dealer and have them swap the speaker cables left for right and see if the problem follows amp or speakers, and that's assuming they were set up so that room acoustics wouldn't be the cause. At least you'll have more info. |
Not to sound harsh... although this was summoned to illicit a response...cant but help u already knew the outcome...u didn't buy them...smart move...and dropping 1k on used, possible defective speakers without a warranty us foolish...even the dealer talked u out if it...but the1k towards something fully operational...kick back...enjoy the show! |