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REVIEW: Thiel Audio PCS Speakers

67.139.104.162


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Model: PCS
Category: Speakers
Suggested Retail Price: $3000
Description: 3 way stand mounted speaker
Manufacturer URL: Thiel Audio
Model Picture: View

Review by jonbee on September 08, 2010 at 14:14:39
IP Address: 67.139.104.162
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for the PCS


The Thiel PCS is my latest foray into stand mounted speakers for my office/bedroom systems. As is common these days, the price of this used pair came down to the "God, that's cheap" level and since I've wanted to experiment with a pair of smaller Thiels in my bedroom this was just the ticket.
First-these are in flawless birds-eye maple, and the combination of the finish and the attention to detail in design and execution makes these a real gem. Once again, Thiel has created objects of real physical beauty.
The PCS is a precise miniature version of the 2.3/2.4 lineage, with a coincident mid/tweeter with a mechanical crossover that looks identical to both the 2.3 and 2.4 and a 7" woofer in a ported cabinet, rather than the passive radiators used in the floorstanders. Cone materials are anodized aluminum. They share the usual Thiel design features of phase integration, low slope crossovers, etc.
As I have mentioned before, I've had dozens of $1k+ smallish monitors in these systems over the past few years, with my favorites being the Volent VL-2s in my office (my fave by a wide margin), Phil Jones' AAD 2001 and Merlin TSM-M (first "-M" version).
I'll say at the outset that it took no time to appreciate the PCS. This is a very fine speaker, but a small speaker. As such, it only goes down to about 50 hz. or so. In a larger room subs are definitely a plus, and the bottom end is very clean, flat, and clear, so integration with a good sub or two is very seamless. Of course, that is what they are designed for. Without a sub there is no hump to make them sound bigger and deeper, which must be taken into account when deciding whether they will serve well. The Stereophile review of these mentions midbass "gruffness", but I must say I've never heard so much as a trace of it. In my living room, which is hard to drive and eats bass in general, they were definitely
lean sounding by themselves, and on the forward side of neutral. This forwardness makes them sound very lively, but may not be everyone's cup of
tea. In my 12x16 bedroom, however, or used with a sub, the balance fills in, the forwardness goes away, and they are models of balance.
Indeed, balance is one of their strong suits. They are one of the most top to bottom neutral speakers I've ever heard. Amazing, really. From top to bottom there are simply no discontinuities, just a seamless fabric of sound. Nothing is out of place. The attention to driver materials, resonances, and phase really pays off big time here.
The micro-dynamics are very good but are just a shade muted compared to the best, but once again, all is in balance.
But for two aspects, these would be world beaters. One area is in the resolution of the finest details, space between instruments and recorded ambience.
Compared to my references in that area (my VMPS RM-30 and the forementioned Volents), the Thiels just don't dig as deeply into the spaces between and behind the instruments. They are far from bad in those areas, just not up to the best, a bit 2-D in direct comparison. That said, the Volents and VMPS retail for $2000-2500 more than the PCS, so there is some return for the extra $ spent. It must be said in fairness that while not as 3-d as the others, the PCS has the best balance
of the 3.
The other area where they are a bit lacking is in top end air. The ribbon tweeters in the VMPS or Volents really open up the very top with out grain, and the PCS sound a bit tame in that area by comparison. I must add that I feel that way about most dome tweeters, even very highly regarded ones, so the PCS is not without company - as I hear it.
I hope this audiophile nitpicking doesn't obscure the fact that these are great speakers- easily on a par with but different from the TSM-M or AAD 2001, which sold for similar prices and are considered standards.
For me, they met my goal of top notch sound in my bedroom system perfectly, and my wife is very pleased indeed with their looks. In a small room or with subs they are a real class act, even a stone cold bargain at today's used prices.
BTW, they are surprisingly sensitive, but like all Thiels they do need an amp with some current drive to develop the slam they are capable of. I use a 37 wpc Gainclone in my bedroom, and it sounds very nice indeed and will pay pretty loudly. In my living room, my 1000 WPC Icepower amp sounded just great.
I must add that for me there is no such thing as a universal recommendation. These may sound lean and unemotional to some, which I respect, but to me they are quite a clean window on the music.


Product Weakness: Not as highly resolving as the best out there,and not as airy as some. Need subs in a largish room. Need a good amp or they sound washed out and thin.
Product Strengths: Absolutely clean and balanced, coherent, well focused. Gorgeous to see. Wonderful build quality. Work well with subs.


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Cullen modded PS Audio GCC-500, Gaincell
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): ModWright/Sony 9100 Sig. Truth CDP
Speakers: VMPS RM-30, Volent VL-2, ACI Force XL subs
Cables/Interconnects: Goertz, other silver and copper anti-ICs
Music Used (Genre/Selections): lots- all kinds
Room Size (LxWxH): 16 x 20 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments: bright room eats bass
Time Period/Length of Audition: one week
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS Audio Quintet
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Thiel Audio PCS Speakers - jonbee 14:14:39 09/8/10 ( 3)