Shortening my short list – Thiel 3.6 vs VMPS rm30?

As a past Thiel 3.5 owner who played with these for 3+ years I would have a hard time recommending them in a 'hard' room, especially if it is a small room which doesn't allow for a lot of clearance from side walls and/or in which you cannot kill 1st reflections off the side walls.

These speakers are designed to be listened to when they are pointed straight ahead which will create a lot of reflections off the side walls if they are close or untreated. It is a personal choice of course, and a lot of folks would like the 3.6's, but IMHO they, and for the most part all the Thiels that I have heard, are too critical of set up and amplification for me to want to go back to them, or recommend them to someone who has not personally already experienced what they have t offer. I've not heard the VMPS 30's, just a lot of favorable comments, as I'm sure you already have.

FWIW.

Thanks Scotthobby. What is it about the 2.4's you prefer over the 3.6's?

FWIW, as others have pointed out, the Thiels, with their greater dispersion pattern will create a lot of problems from reflections in a small, hard room.

The RM30's on the other hand are more directional and are made to be canted in toward the listening position. This provides less room interference and a more direct sound from the speakers... In your situation, the RM30's would be the logical choice. I mean, why beat your head against the wall trying to get the Theil's reflections under control???

YOu would be amazed at what a fine pair of monitors (<$1500 used) sound like with a powered sub

I can't usually get a powered sub to blend seamlessly with satellite speakers and I have tried.

But another great option for a small room is a pair of the svelte Silverline Prelude speakers... Their high efficiency makes them easy to drive and they don't need a sub unless you're a true bass freak. Right now I'm driving mine with an ASL 1003DT tube amp (30Wpc) and they sound just marvelous in my smaller listening room. My VMPS, on the other hand have too much bass for the small room and can overload it easily.