Thiel 3.6's vs. Vandersteen 3 sigs

I disagree with anyone said Thiel sound harsh, analytical, dull...and Vandersteen sound would be better. I never own or heard any Vandersteen speaker but I do own a pair of Thiel 3.6 speaker for 7 years. I'm using krell FBP300 to drive this speaker. The result is super. Soundstage, resolution, image...is outstanding. I tried to use my Krell KAV-1500 to run my 3.6 and the result was good but FPB300 and 3.6 is still better. I did had a pair of McCormark DNA-1 gold series brigded in mono block and the result was great, too. This speakers will sound best if you give them a lot of good power. Also, it depends on what kind of associate equiptments that feed them. Even a change in cable is already enough to make 3.6 sound beter or worst. About the Subwoofwer for Thiel 3.6, I had a Sunfire True sub signature years ago, this sub do adding a lot of bass for my system but the bass is not as tight as I axpected. Afer adding Earthquake Super Nova 15, I think the bass in my sytem was somewhat improve and now I am thinking of upgrading my sub to JL Fantom 13 or new Thiel Sub-1 with EQ and room correction system, I think it maybe what I'm looking for to get a complete full range sound in my system.
My system is Krell KRC-3, Integra Research RDC-7, Krell FPB300, CJ DR-1, Sony SCD-XA9000es, Denon DVD-5910ci, Theil 3.6, Theil MCS-1, Earthquake Super Nova 15, PS lab power plant and power director, and finally Tranparent reference cables connect all the sources together.

Audionuts you can love Thiel sound and I am sure you do but dont disagree and then admit you have no experience with 1 of the two speakers in question. If you have never heard a single Vandersteen isnt it a bit foolish to disagree it sounds better....or not?

Chadnliz, you were right about how foolish I am. but to say Thiel sound is dull and analytical is unfair. they may sound bad to somebody but there is a great number of Theil 3.6 lover out there. Thiel had keep this product for quiet a while untill now, so there has to be a great number of people love it. I will check the Vandy 3a sig out this weekend. It has been a long time that I haven't keep in touch with all the goodies out there. May be it is the time for me to go out and expore more.

I didnt want it to come across that I called you foolish, just the statement was. I dont think Thiel speakers are dull but I do think they can be harsh and un-forgiving, I know they can and do sound pleasing they are just not my cup of tea and too fussy.....the beauty of this hobby is one size doesnt fit all, how boring would that be????????

Respectfully disagree on Thiel being harsh/bright/"too" detailed, etc. . .

Just got a used pair of 2.2 for $500 on Ebay to go into a family room just for background music - I was just looking for a decent rep. speaker which wouldn't be offensive. Just to be used for background music.

Upon arrival I plopped them down in front of my Wilson Duettes in a dedicated listening room and played them for about 18 hours before listening carefully at all. No proper set-up, no spikes, just placed directly (inches) in front of my Wilsons. Ran them with ML amp and Audio Aero Capitole CD direct via its balance, variable analog out to the amp.

If these speakers (Thiel) sound bright to somebody I would contribute this to the individual either not knowing the difference between "detail" and "brightness". There are many people who prefer less detailed speakers with any sharpness to the music being rolled off and many of the highs being rolled off. There is nothing wrong with wanting this. The best speaker and sound is different for everybody and that is fine. Listening to live music (unamplified), horns and percussion in particular can frequently result in sounds that are "bright" to many peoples standards. This results from many things; personal preferences, our hearing smearing the "loud" sounds, too high a sound level and the environment. However, this is still part of the music, naturally produced. When a speaker reproduces these affects that occur on the recording they are reproducing the music (ie. recording) accurately with the proper detail. Speakers and electronics that reduce/eliminate these sounds from the recording when being played in our homes are not reproducing the music/recording accurately because they can't or are designed to roll-off "undesirable" artifacts of the music/recording. Some people want this, some don't.

Detail does not equal brightness. Brightness is a completely separate sound from detail, they do not go hand-in-hand.

Thiel speakers, in and of themselves are not "Bright" or "Etchy" - at least based on my very limited experience with them. Perhaps other components or source material can send music/signals to them that are bright, but the speaker (mine) itself is not.

I also would like to state that I disagree with the statement that Vandy's use cheap components, are not well made and are "low-fi".

Vandy's and Thiels have some differing characteristics to their sounds - one is not good and the other bad, just have some differences. Find what you like and support it. Thiels don't do everything perfectly, but then again I have never heard any component that does everything perfectly.