Comparison of Thiel CS2.4 vs. Vandersteen 3A Sig.

Interested in hearing about any comparisons between these two speakers, Thiel CS 2.4 and Vandersteen 3A Signatures, integration into rooms, ability to drive speakers, sound quality, any new updates or options that should be considered, etc.

audibleguy01-02-2007 11:30pm

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swampwalker Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 5,132 posts 01-03-2007 at 03:05am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Very different sounding speakers. Lots of commentary, run a search. In a nutshell, Thiels are considered more forward and detailed, requiring high quality upstream components, lots of current in the amp, which must have ability to drive low impedence load. Vandersteens considered more laid back, mate well with a variety of components, but show improvement as upstream components improve.
chadnliz Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 3,736 posts 01-03-2007 at 02:02am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete To comment on one question, Thiel are more harsh and detailed, Vandy is more musical and forgiving, and I think both are moderate loads for amps. For what it is worth I would prefer the Vandy hands down.
czbbcl Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,699 posts 01-03-2007 at 06:19pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Can't comment on Vandersteen but my Thiels certainly are not harsh. They are very detailed and throw a huge soundstage but do require top shelf components upstream to sound their best. Chuck
dodgealum Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 976 posts 01-03-2007 at 06:10pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I agree these are very different sounding speakers. Personally, I could not live with either of them for more than a short period of time as the trade offs for each are too severe. Why not look into some other brands that split the difference in tonal quality, presentation, ease of use, etc.?
dpac996 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 433 posts 01-03-2007 at 07:27pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Chad n' Liz, I don't think it's fair to stereotype Thiel's as harsh. The current Thiels, CS2.4s, and even the CS2.2s and CS 2.3s are extremely capable loudspeakers. It is this quality that, when not set up correctly, may result in the owner stating they are harsh. I think they are very fine speakers, and can, in the right setup be very musically satisfying indeed. In general with ANY audio component, it is all about synergy with the rest of the system, and maybe most important, the room-acoustics. It blows my mind (not directing this at you) that all over the map people make blanket statments about this or that b/c it did not work out for them, or they heard it in a poorly setup dealer showroom, perhaps not even broken in...whatever. There are lots of ways to get any speaker to sound harsh, and as you know, when you climb the resolution ladder, the source gear and room can make or break the overall result.