Thiel Owners

I have really enjoyed following this discussion over the last year. I have been more passive with opinions because I recognize that all of our senses are clearly subjective.

oblgny...

I'm reflecting back on our exchange on this discussion 8/31/16. Since I have owned 3.6s for over 6 years and have never heard the 3.5s, I will be waiting in anticipation about your opinions regarding the comparison. The only change that I have made the last couple of years is selling my Audio Research Ref 5 and buying a preowned 5SE in December here on Audiogon. I'm still very content with my current setup.

prof...

I also followed your discussion with the change from 3.6s to 3.7s, since we have a lot in common. I also have a fairly small listening room and sit about 7-8 feet from my 3.6s. I have been contemplating moving to the 3.7s myself if I can find a pair close-by and affordable. Prof, are there any attributes of the 3.6s you miss that you're not getting with the 3.7s?

Thanks, Jon

p.s By the way, there is a pair of 3.6s for sale locally here on Craigslist in Birmingham allegedly from an original owner, but without the boxes. https://bham.craigslist.org/ele/6053373347.html

jonandfamily,

I never had the 3.6s, though I heard them many times "back in the day."
I preferred the CS6's over the 3.6, and had the CS6's for quite a while.
(They worked well in my small room; the 3.7s work even better).

Nothing I miss about any previous Thiel's over the 3.7s.  Jim's final designs somehow managed to keep all the great things we love about Thiel speakers - the aliveness, believability of transients, instrumental timbre, etc, but increasing coherency and smoothness in the upper mid/treble, for an even more organic sound.  It's seems ironic to me that Thiel over the years has had the reputation for ruthlessly revealing and being bright.  I have very sensitive ears - including Tinnitus - so if a speaker is bright or hashy sounding at all, I have real problems.  The 3.7s (especially combined with my CJ amps) have been about the smoothest, most fatigue free sound I've ever had in my room.  I can listen for hours without my ears getting too tired or sensitive.

BTW, as I mentioned, despite my adoration for my 3.7s I may have to sell them for ergonomic reasons.  Not that they don't work perfectly in my smallish room (13 x 15), but rather because I have other speakers in there
taking up room for home theater, I have to place the 3.7s right at the room opening, which makes it awkward getting in and out, among other things.
I really need a smaller speaker only in that regard.   Sonically, they are as close to perfectly balanced as I've heard in my room or anywhere else.

Very nice! prof

I will re-fresh my memory on your link. Happy Listening!

Always good to see you- oblgny
my pleasure helping you w/ Transparent cabling. It is a very fine company backed w/ very fine customer service. Cannot go wrong.

Happy Listening!

Good to see you again- jonandfamily

are you in Alabama as well? I can report that the ARC Ref5 SE (at its price-point) is the very best tubed pre-amp currently.  What other gear, including cabling, is in your system?

Happy Listening!